Page 74 of Bake You Mine
“Give your mom a break, kiddo, okay?” Aubrey’s dad said. “We all want the best for you.”
Daphne brushed Aubrey’s hand away. “I’m fine! This thing with Kayla has taught me that nothing ever lasts, so why worry? Why have relationships when all people do is leave?”
Aubrey exchanged a raised eyebrow glance with her father. Since when had her kid become a nihilist? “That’s a rather bleak worldview to have.”
“It’s realistic!” She tucked into the house special, pork chops.
Even if meant sarcastically, her daughter’s comment stirred the pot of her emotional turmoil about dating Liam.
She sighed and reminded herself not to overthink it. If he were here, Tom would brandish a spatula like his grandmother’s chancla and tell her to knock it off.
Before she could cut into her pork chop, her phone exploded with multiple texts. She sighed when she saw they were from Chris. He was apologetic, at least.
She didn’t feel like having a text marathon with her ex, so she stepped outside to call him.
“We’re trying to eat, Chris.”
His breath crackled over the line. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have put Daphne in the middle of that. Kayla was picking up the last of her stuff. And she let it slip that she’d been cheating on me with her upline from the protein shake multi-level-marketing scheme she’s gotten sucked into. The guy bears a striking resemblance to Guy Fieri, for Christ’s sake.”
Without thinking, Aubrey snorted. “Oh my God, seriously? She cheated on you with a low-rent version of the Mayor of Flavortown?”
The tense mood broke when he laughed. “Christ, I needed that.”
She laughed again, adding, “Look, I have too much on my plate for this right now. I want us to get along, so it’s all water under the bridge, but with the huge caveat that nothing like this ever happens again. I smell your bullshit on the wind; I’m calling my lawyer. Got it?”
“No, we’re done for real. I’m filing for divorce after that shit show. She took most of her stuff. The rest will be on the porch. I’m done.”
From separated to divorced so quickly? Someone had seen the light and was in a hurry. “Maybe that’s for the best.”
“You’re probably right. I’ll let you go. I can’t make up for lost time, but I hope I can be a proper co-parent. I want to be there for Daphne, one hundred percent.”
Aubrey looked into the restaurant, where Liam had joined the table. Daphne beamed up at him, not a care in the world.
It was a beautiful sight, so why did it make her feel anxious?
“Of course I will, Chris. I want you two to have a relationship. Don’t go back on your word when the next woman slides in from stage left.”
“I’m in no hurry to date.” He paused. “Are you and Liam serious?”
She groaned. “Don’t ruin our truce. We’ll talk more about the co-parenting arrangement tomorrow. Go have a beer and celebrate your newfound freedom.”
She ended the call and stepped into Elevation.
Liam came around the booth and walked over to her. Heplaced a hand on the small of her back. She relaxed at his touch. Even though she knew they were drawing the stares of other diners, she didn’t care. The competition was almost over. Let them stare.
“How are you liking your food?”
“That is the best pork chop to ever pork chop!” Daphne stabbed a piece with her fork, dipped it in the apple compote, and shoved it into her mouth.
Everyone laughed, and Aubrey’s mood lightened.
“I’m glad you like it, kiddo. Your mom gave me the idea to add it to the menu.”
Aubrey turned to face him. “I did?”
“Yeah, the day at the farmer’s market when we argued about eggplants?” His perfect brow creased. It felt strange that Liam remembered that moment better than she did.
She hid a smile against her shoulder. “How could I forget?”
