Page 15 of Ruthless Serenade

Dammit, Mindy!

Maybe it’s just my disastrous date that’s making me moody. I really need to tell Betty to stop setting me up with potential suitors. I’m sure her matchmaking business brings great results to her clients, but it looks like it ain’t for me.

I make my way to my parking spot and squeeze myself between my own ride and Maron’s old car. I let out a loud grunt as I struggle to open the door wide enough for me to get in. Maron’s old SUV is parked way too close, leaving almost no room for me and my single mom-butt. But I know there’s someone sitting inside. I saw them pull up their window, just as I exited the restaurant.

"Excuse me, would you mind moving your car?" I say as politely as possible, giving their tinted window a firm knock. I get no response. "Hello? I know you’re in there!" I tap the window again. Crickets.

Really?

It must be some entitled prick. Maybe some rich guy, screwing his Barbie doll girlfriend behind that window.

I let out an exasperated sigh and make my way around my own car. I open it from the other side and crawl in through the passenger seat. I don’t even care anymore. I just want to be out of here and forget about this disastrous date. But to my surprise, just as I slam the door shut and start my engine, the big black car roars to life and smoothly pulls out of its spot.

Seriously?

Whoever bought Maron’s old car is an asshat!

I stare after the big black SUV, dumbfounded. I shake my head in disbelief and mumble something about entitled rich jerks, arrogant snobs, and their complete disregard for regular people like me.

Never mind that, though. The evening is finally over. All that matters is that I can finally go home and kiss my daughter goodnight.

Chapter Five

Mindy

I lock my apartment door behind me and lean against it for a moment.

There’s a pang of frustration and guilt in me about spending the evening on a terrible date. I could have just stayed at home and played with Sharon or watched a movie with her. Instead, I left her with Tania, just to be able to meet this Nesbit guy. What a shitty use of the little free time I have.

Being a single mom just amplifies my ‘mother’s guilt.’ Whoever tried raising a child in New York City knows what I’m talking about. I’m always working my butt off to support us, always running late to pick up my daughter from school, and then, I spend the little free time I have with my baby girl. Unless, of course, I’m on a date with the hopes of finding a reliable and loving partner, and father figure for Sharon… but it’s slim pickings out there to say the least. I have no doubt that Betty means well, but finding a decent guy? It seems like an impossible mission in this city. It’s as futile as trying to teach a cat to fetch.

As I walk into the living room, I'm greeted by the sight of Tania sitting on the couch with a book on her lap. She sets it down and calls out to me. "Hey, Mindy, how was your date?"

I let out a frustrated sigh, dropping my purse and kicking off my heels before collapsing onto the couch next to her. "Like the others."

She frowns sympathetically and turns towards me. "Oh, no… What happened?"

"I wouldn’t even know where to begin." I chuckle, rubbing my temples and shaking my head.

"I'm sorry, Mindy," Tania sympathizes, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Was it really that bad?"

I sink into the soft cushions, closing my eyes. "Let’s just say he’s not exactly the father figure I want for Sharon." I give her a weak smile.

She shakes her head. "Don’t give up, Mindy. You deserve a kind guy who loves you and Sharon."

I let out a small laugh. "Maybe. But that’s a matter for another day. Right now, I just want to focus on spending more time with Sharon."

Tania nods understandingly. "I get it. Do what’s best for you and your daughter." She pauses. "How’s she doing in school, by the way? I tried asking her, but she seemed hesitant to talk about it."

"You know how she is." I sigh. "Sharon needs time to adjust and make friends. Maybe it’s an only child thing."

Tania’s tone is gentle. "Or just a phase. Give her a few months to adjust. This school is still fresh for her."

Feeling the need to change the subject, I ask, "How was she tonight?"

Tania’s face lights up. "Awesome! We had dinner, played games, and I got her to bed on time. She missed you, but I told her you’d be home soon to give her a goodnight kiss."

I feel a surge of gratitude and affection for Tania. "Thank you so much, Tania. I don’t know what I’d do without you."

---