Page 19 of Built to Last

“As a matter of fact, I’m having a great time. Why?”

“Just checking on you. Making sure this is really what you want. That he’s really what you want.”

He leans in close and I swear he’s going to kiss me. Please kiss me. Then he steps back and distance gapes like an open doorway between us.

“Yes, it’s what I want,” I say.

“Fair enough.” He holds his hands up. “Have a nice evening, Velma.”

I stomp away because of course that pasty, pompous prick is not what I want. Why should I have to spell it out for Finn?

chapterten

FINNEGAN

I watch her plump bottom and curvy hips walk away from me. I smile. Because my beautiful girl was lying. I decide I’ll wait a few more minutes before I go to her table and make my scene.

The waitress has already given me an earful of how obnoxious he is, making snide comments about her weight. Fucker.

My dad taught me and my brother a long time ago that when you’re big like we are, you have to be gentle. Protect the ones you love always, but never use your strength and size unless absolutely necessary.

Chet is one lucky man that I’m not a violent guy. Because I’d love to smash his smug face.

I count to twenty in my head, then walk to their table. I take a chair from the table next to them, turning it around to straddle it.

I swipe a fry off of Sadie’s plate.

“What are you doing here?” Chet asks.

Sadie is staring at me.

“Here’s the thing, Chet. Can I call you Chet?” I don’t give him a chance to answer my question. “Good. See, here’s the thing: you’ve been disrespecting my girl here.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Chet says.

“Really? You’re going to play dumb?” I stare at him, then lift a shoulder in a shrug. “It’s okay, we can do this the hard way. That will probably be more fun. She does not drink diet soda or any soda at all because the bubbles make her sneeze.” I glance at her. “Which is adorable, by the way.”

Her mouth drops open as if she’s surprised I know that little tidbit about her.

“Secondly, you don’t ever get to decide what a woman can or can’t eat. That’s not your job.” I poke him in the chest to emphasize each word.

“Carrying too much fat on your body is not good for cardiovascular health,” Chet says.

I glance at Sadie, then point my thumb in Chet’s direction. “Is he a cardiologist?”

She shakes her head. “No, he’s a Ph.D. in aquatic botany like me.”

I hum. “That’s what I thought. Now then, Chet, you owe the lady an apology.”

Chet glares at me. “Sorry, Sadie, if I offended you.”

“Excellent,” I say with a clap of my hands. Then I look at Sadie. “Do you want to take that food with you?”

She shakes her head.

I stand, then hold a hand out to her, which she takes. Then I bend and pick her up over my shoulder so her belly is on my shoulder, and I head out of the restaurant.

Sadie giggles. “What are you doing, Finn?”

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