Page 61 of Safe and Sound

“There’s also a possibility I could private dance my heels all over your crotch.”

“What if I get off on pain?” he teased.

Motioning my hand around, I added with disgust, “ There’s kids around.”

“Kouklaki, is there a problem?”

Only one person called me his little doll and that was my father. As I whirled around, he held two plates of souvlaki while giving me a concerned look. Overprotective didn’t even begin to describe our relationship.

With a shake of my head, I replied, “No. Everything is fine.” When he narrowed his eyes at me, I added, “I was just talking to the customers.”

Although he was seventy-five, Dad appeared in his mid-sixties. He went to the gym everyday and had a body most younger men envied. He held out the souvlaki. “These goes to Table 9.”

“Yes, sir.”

As I started away, Dad leaned in to poke his finger in the cocky bastard’s chest. Whatever my father said caused the kid’s eyes to bulge while his face flushed red. I was so busy eyeing my father that I also ran into Nick.

“What’s pissed off Pappouli?”

I rolled my eyes. “Some pervy frat boys.”

Nick clenched his jaw. “Do I need to throw them out?”

“From the looks of it, Dad’s got it covered.”

“Keep me posted. I don’t mind taking the trash out.”

“Will do.”

After I deposited the souvlaki at Table 9, I turned around and ran right into someone. When I recognized Molly Wallis, I inwardly groaned. We’d gone to high school together, and she was the biggest town gossip.

Her brown eyes widened at the sight of me. “Oh my God, Ava, I didn’t think I’d see you tonight.”

I gritted my teeth. “It’s the festival. Where else would I be?”

“I just thought you might be laying low because of your divorce just being finalized.”

Women like Molly thought I should’ve hidden myself away in shame for what had happened with Preston. ObviouslyIhad done something wrong to cause him to bang a high school girl. “Oh, it’s just for tonight. I’ll go back into hiding tomorrow,” I humorlessly joked.

She giggled. “You were always so funny.”

“I try.”

As her gaze slid down my body, she proclaimed, “You look amazing.”

Her comment shouldn’t have made me self-conscious, but it did. Maybe it was the fact I was bearing my mid-drift while my cinched up boobs were prominently displayed.

“Seriously, I just told Jace that I would totally divorce him if it meant looking as good as you do.”

“Yeah, I’m going to market the Divorce Makeover to make millions,” I quipped.

After giggling for a moment, Molly’s expression turned somber. “I just want you to know you’re in my prayers. I can’t imagine the humiliation you’ve experienced in the last few months.”

Inwardly, I rolled my eyes. “That’s kind of you.”

She patted my arm. “Hang in there. I’m sure this will all blow over in a few months. Or at least there will be some new town scandal.”

Considering my lack of sleep, I was just about to unload on Molly when Nick appeared at my side. “Hey, how’s it going?” he asked.

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