Page 56 of Spike

Sweet Pea rolledhis eyes and I bit back a smile as the little girl tried to lay claim to Spike.

A tall, blondewoman joined us, kissing Spike’s cheek before wrapping her arms around SweetPea’s waist.

“Hey, Callie,”Spike said.

“Hi, honey.” Shenodded toward her daughter. “You’ve just given her exactly what she’s wantedall week, you know that right?”

“What?” Sweet Peaasked.

“All she talksabout is Spike, honey.”

“Not to me, shedoesn’t.”

“Well, you’re nota girl,” she said.

I decided I wasdone sitting, so I rose to my feet and Spike introduced me to Sweet Pea’s wife.

“Oh, I see whyshe’s freaking out,” Callie murmured, laying her hand on Charlie’s back. “Baby,why don’t we go see what the other kids are doing? I think they’ve got a movieplaying in the playroom.”

Charlie held Spiketighter and he made a coughing sound. “Choking me, baby.”

“Okay, sweetie,let’s go play with the other kids,” Callie said, and Charlie raised her head topout at her mother.

“No. I’m his oldwady.”

“No, baby,” Calliecountered. “Trixie’s his old lady.”

Charlie droppedher head back and burst into tears.

“And the Oscargoes to…” Callie shook her head. “Alright, that’s enough, young lady. Come withMommy. It’s time for an attitude adjustment.”

Callie managed towrangle Charlie from Spike, carrying her away as Sweet Pea followed. Spike satback on the sofa, pulling me onto his lap and kissing me quickly.

“Just how long hasthis been going on?” I asked.

“What?”

“This unrequitedlove of Charlie’s?”

He shrugged. “Noclue. I didn’t even know it was a thing.”

“Oh dear.” Isighed. “There’s no telling how many more there are, then.”

Spike laughed.“You could be right.”

“My man.” Igripped his chin. “Breaking hearts all over town.”

“As long as Idon’t break your heart, I don’t give a shit about the others.”

“Charmer.”

He grinned, givingme a squeeze. “You gonna avoid the subject at hand?”

“What subject?”

“Kim’s place.”

I slid off his lapand sighed. “I can’t afford a place in the Pearl, Spike. Period. Even if I getthe job with Devlin, it’ll still be a receptionist’s salary.”

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