Page 94 of The One I Love
“Hey,” Shane says, taking my hands back in his, despite Mona as our audience. “You and me. We got this.”
I nod and squeeze his hands. “We got this.”
We stand up from the booth, and that’s when I hear the loud gasp from Mona. I turn back to look at her and she’s pointing to my ring.
Fuck.
“What’s that!”
I turn to look outside, then back to Mona. “Listen, we have to get the kids and put their bags in the car. And I don’t want Paul coming in here. Let us go take care of that and when we come back in here, we’ll explain everything.”
“You can explain over waffles. We’re about to have another Rolling Hills wedding!”
I ignore Mona, knowing I need to get outside. Yes, the kids could come in here by themselves, but it’s Sunday at Mona’s. There’s barely room for people, let alone suitcases, backpacks, and whatever souvenirs Mariah bought. But if they come in, I have a feeling Paul will as well. And the last thing I need him doing is starting shit at my favorite breakfast place in front of the town and people I consider friends and family.
Shane takes my hand in his as we walk toward Paul’s monstrosity of a car. He’s staring at us as the kids unload their bags.
What a guy…
I do notice that there’s no sign of his new girlfriend. Interesting…
“Mom! Shane!”
Mariah drops the bag she was holding and sprints over to us, jumping into my arms. I didn’t realize until now I howmuch I truly missed them. This is the longest we’ve ever been apart. “Did you have fun?”
“The good parts were good. The bad parts were both bad and entertaining.” I look down at her, and her smile that is both sweet and terrifying, before she moves to give Shane a hug.
Oh hell, what did my daughter do…
“Hey, Mom,” Luke says, walking over with an armful of the bags.
“Hey, sweetheart,” I say, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Did everything go okay?”
He shrugs. “We’ll talk later.”
Luke and Shane give each other a quick “bro hug” as I like to call it, when I feel Paul’s hateful glare directed our way.
“Enough with the family reunion,” Paul mumbles. “Nice ring.”
I smile, loving that the plan is working. “Thank you.”
He rolls his eyes. “Can we talk, Mel?”
Shane whispers something to Luke, who leads Mariah toward Mona’s, before taking my hand. “You can talk to us.”
Paul rolls his eyes. “I didn’t say I wanted to talk to you. I want to talk to my wife.”
In the emergency room, there’s a slight moment of calm before you hear the blaring sounds of the ambulance’s coming in.
This is that silence. Shane’s grip becomes tighter on my hand. I see his face turning red out of the corner of my eye. This man is about to Hulk out more than he ever has in his entire life.
“That’s not your wife. She’s going to be mine. Don’t you fucking ever call her that again.”
This only makes Paul laugh.
Wrong move, my man. Wrong move.
“Last I checked you weren’t married. Hell, I don’t even think you’re really engaged.”
