Page 105 of With Wine Comes War

“Not in the least, honey.”

Bullshit.

“Then why did the girls ask you instead of me about brunch? They’ve been going to you first lately.” God, I sounded like a whiny brat.

“Maggie said she wanted to make sure all the guys wanted to go first before they asked you. The other day when I took the call, it was Maggie, from Matt’s phone because they couldn’t get ahold of you. Alex, you’re everyone’s favorite. From me to the kids. I promise.” Roman explained.

I laughed thinking about the kids running into the house screaming my name. I know he’s right and I’m just overreacting. I don’t know why I’m getting all worked up about this. Probably trying to piss everyone off ahead of time, in case they get mad on Tuesday about what I’m planning to do in the courtroom. Might make it easier. Roman’s right, I can’t overthink this.

We had our usual at the coffee shop. We talked about nothing and laughed about everything. He asked if the guys were going to hearanything juicy at brunch and I said no. How can we talk about them when they're all there?

We ran the rest of the way home after coffee. We made love in the shower then got dressed and sat out in the living room listening to classical music and reading before we walked to brunch. I could get used to this. It’s the same Sunday morning ritual I have anyway.

We were the last to arrive at the restaurant. They were all drinking Bloody Mary’s except Abby; she was drinking a Virgin Mary. We ordered ours when the waitress returned to the table again. This was just what the doctor ordered today. I really needed some time with everyone before Tuesday.

I’m so worried that after Tuesday I could lose all this. I had no one to confide in about it. There’s no one who would ever think this is a good idea. I’m glad I made an appointment with Roman’s mom tomorrow. I was going to need it. I needed to figure out what to say to her to get her to help me without telling her what I was planning to do. I mean everyone was going to find out soon enough. Tuesday was only going to set the hook. I’m going to need him to take the bait for my plan to work, but he’s an arrogant son of a bitch. I doubt it will be a problem at all.

***

ROMAN

Now that she’s living here and I know she’s being watched, I don’t feel like I have to worry about her as much anymore, so I’m going to try and get back to my normal daily activities. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, and she laid her head on mine. I should relish this peaceful moment while I can. After tomorrow I feel like everything’sgoing to change again. I hope it’s for the better, but my gut is telling me something else. Something Alex isn’t telling me. I hope to God this is my imagination in overdrive.

We had a pleasant walk to the restaurant, and everyone was waiting on us. They had the table set up with the guys on one end and the girls on the other. These girls were too funny. Always wanting to gossip about something. No shortage of good conversation with this group, though, and no one talked about the hearing. I looked over at Alex and she was smiling and laughing with not a care in the world. I was glad to see that.

We had a lot of conversations about the kids and then Abby pointed out, “Alex, you have a bruise on your face? Did you know?” She crinkled up her nose and cautiously looked at me.

Maggie blurted out, when she saw Alex look my way, “Oh My God!!! Roman, did you hit her? I mean, I’m sure she did something to deserve it, but what the hell!” they all laughed except me because I watched her get hit.

Alex said, “Abby, I’m aware that I have a bruise on my cheek. No, Roman didn’t do it. I got it at training last night, but you should see the other guy.” She winked. Again, there was a lot of laughing, just not from me.

Matt looked at me and said, “Hey Roman, how did you do? I take it you're not a fan of her training.”

I shook my head, swallowing the anger that was rising from my chest. “Not at all. I got to witness that particular bruise.”

She smiled cautiously at me, as we went back to more pleasant topics.

“Matt, Jack. I need you both to start taking kickboxing classes with us. Roman said he’ll do it if the two of you do it. It’s one night a week. We do Wednesday right now because of my training sessions but afterthe hearing is over I may or may not take the training anymore and if I don’t then we can do Saturdays.”

They looked at me and Matt said, “I’m game if you guys are.”

Jack said, “I’m in.”

I looked at Alex and nodded my head, “Ditto.”

“Awesome. This will be so much fun and we need something to do together.”

Brunch was a good time then we said goodbye and walked home.

“So, what would you like to do today?” She had a grin on her face.

“Can we go shopping? I’d like to get something to wear for the hearing.”

“Sure. Where would you like to go?”Any place but the mall. Any place but the mall, please.

She responded, “The mall will be fine. I hate shopping but the new me wants to wear something special on Tuesday.” Of course, the first place she’d think to go was the freaking mall. I guess that’s a good thing— that way we don’t have to spend all day going from place to place.

I grabbed her hand and said, “The mall it is.” We didn’t even bother to go up to the penthouse. We hopped in the car and headed to the mall. I hoped to get this over with ASAP.

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