Page 84 of Succeeding Love

“It is rude! Rude ofyouto act all perky around your sister who came over to hide from her husband and kids. Wipe that smile off your face and complain with me!”

I rolled my eyes, trying not to laugh. Kate came over after finding out her husband signed her up to host a luncheon for his work on the same weekend their oldest was going to have his first t-ball game. She wanted to vent and complain, but I’ve done her the injustice of not having any complaints of my own to add to the mix.

“What can I say?” I murmured, taking extra care in cutting her caesar wrap in half at an angle, so I could rearrange the two pieces to form a heart. “For once, my only complaints will just sound like I’m bragging, so I’m choosing to keep my lips sealed.”

Kate stared begrudgingly at her plate as I slid it in front of her, glaring at the heart-shaped food before ripping the two halves apart.

“Bragging? Like what? His snake is too big or something?”

“Why do you always have to refer to naughty bits as animals?” I stifled my laughter.

“Quit avoiding my questions,” she growled, taking an angry bite of the wrap.

I pressed my lips together, then shrugged. “It is hard to get moving on Mondays.”

“Wo-ha-how. That big, huh? Are you walking around bow-legged after your kitty takes a beating all weekend?”

“Shut it,” I said before taking a bite of my lunch.

“Geez, it’s Friday. Is your kitty ready for the abuse?”

“My kitty is perfectly fine, thank you.”

“Speaking of your kitty, is it time for another trip to the groomers? By groomers, I mean your bathroom with my waxing kit?”

Lifting my chin, I said, “Nope. I’m taking care of my own kitty. Thank you very much.”

“You’rewaxing it?”

I shook my head. “Nope. I went to a salon two days ago. The naked mole rat is naked again.”

“Ah, I would have done it.”

“You just like hearing me scream,” I chuckled.

Vin and I have been going strong for the last few weeks. We’ve fallen into a routine of him walking Kevin with me every night, usually after eating dinner with me and the kids. It’s crazy to me how normal it feels.

His mother is set in her own routine, which rarely includes Vin. She almost forgets her son is living with her sometimes, but every once in a while, she gets total clarity and will make dinner for the both of them. Those evenings are theones where he misses dinner with us, but he always rummages around for leftovers after our walk.

I’m not entirely sure Miss Velma understands we are dating. She still treats me the same as she always does when I see her outside, and never mentions her son to me. The poor woman doesn’t keep most thoughts about her these days.

Because of the kids, Vin doesn’t stay over during the week, but as soon as the weekend comes, he doesn’t leave. From Friday evening to Monday morning, he’s with me, hence the bow-legged bald kitty walks on Monday.

The past month has been amazing. I’m falling for Vin more and more every day. Every touch, every smile, every look had my chest tingling in the best of ways. I have no complaints.

“Speaking of wanting to inflict pain on someone, how’s Nick handling your anaconda wielding action star?”

“Action hero,” I corrected her. I shrugged. “Nick has said little lately. I actually haven’t talked to him in a few weeks.”

“Huh,” Kate stared at the contents of her wrap, like she was judging the lettuce for not being more chicken. She isn’t a fan of vegetables. Even lettuce. “I thought after declaring himself, he wouldn’t have given up so easily.”

“He did. I really haven’t seen him or talked to him. All communication goes through the kids.”

“That’s good, I guess.” Kate picked out a sizable chunk of lettuce, side-eyeing me like she was waiting for me to protest. I just snatched the chuck from her fingers and tossed it in my mouth. I don’t know why she hates eating green foods. They’re delicious.

Kate went back to complaining about her husband, saying she was going to sign him up for crossing guard duty and to referee every t-ball game he had off for the rest of the season as payback for volun-telling her to do an event so massive. I volunteered to help her with the luncheon so she could watch the game. Then I’d hold down Wes, so Kate could wax his animal parts after the party was over. She liked that idea a lot.

“Are you going to invite Mr. Anaconda too?” Kate asked me, wiggling her eyebrows.

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