Page 58 of Broken Grump

“Fine.” His face returns to neutral. “I’ll admit, I did have a great time. What about you?”

“I—”

Before I can answer, his phone rings. He tells me that it’s Randall.

Chapter seventeen

Hayden

I knew the upscalerestaurant might make Addie uncomfortable. But Randall O’Brien, Errol’s son-in-law, insisted that we meet altogether at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse.

Even though she grew up in a similar class as I did, I’m not completely unsympathetic to the fact that she’s had to manage to pull away from her family’s riches; all while going to school and supporting herself and a young daughter.

“Oh, boy,” she mumbles after getting out of the back of Lionel’s car.

I place my hand near the small of her back as she adjusts her black suit jacket and matching pants.

“You’re going to do fine.”

Perhaps in order to make herself look more mature or “businesswoman-like,” she’s wearing her glasses again. But I am not complaining at all. I think she looks unbelievably sexy in them.

And she also has her long, dark hair pulled tight against her head and in a low ponytail. This has always been a favorite style on her because it really shows off the beauty of her high cheekbones and other striking facial features.

“I don’t care what he says. I’m ordering a glass of wine. But I mean, how can he be against that? Didn’t Jesus change water into wine?”

I already knew she was nervous, and her mile-per-minute chatter only drives that point home.

“You can absolutely order a glass of wine. Or two, if you want.”

She whimpers as soon as we walk into the front door.

“I wish they were like drinks at McDonald’s, and you could order a super-size.”

I chuckle. “Supersized meals haven’t been a thing since 2004.”

She looks back at me and rolls her ocean-colored eyes. “You know what I meant.”

“I do. Now just try to relax. You’re going to be just fine.”

I’ve already checked in with the host, and he’s about to lead us over to the table when she stops abruptly.

“You mean like the barbecue ended upjust fine?” There’s a cut to her words that aren’t totally unjustified.

In reality, I also hoped to God the pretentious, Bible-thumper would stray away from shaming her, and by strange happenstance, I mean me, tonight.

“If he says anything out of line, just squeeze my hand, and I’ll take care of it. Okay?” We’ve gone over this before, but I want to make sure she’s aware and comfortable with the plan.

“Yeah. Okay, okay.”

“I’m your make-believe husband, and I’ve got your back.”

By the way she looks up at me in appreciation, I can tell that she hasn’t heard those words a lot in her life.

So, I repeat them just for good measure. “I’ve got your back, Flores.”

Then, with an inconspicuous fist bump, we head over to our table.

Randall is already there, and he stands up to greet us.

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