The First Taste(31)

He gets behind the wheel and hits the gas while I check the timing. I motion for him to stop, and he gets out. “Anyway, I wasn’t referring to the party,” he continues. “I meant are you ready for the other thing.”

I glance up at him. The other thing is Shana. Since she left a couple weeks before Bell’s third birthday, everyone treats me like glass around this time of year. Not that I really blame them. I was a mess afterward. But last year was better. And this year, it’s the first I’ve thought of it.

“Where’s the wrench?” I ask.

“Right in front of you.” He waits as I loosen a bolt. “Sorry to bring it up, but I had to ask, bro.”

“I’ll be fine.” I am fine. I have to be, for Bell. Shana left without any explanation, and I could’ve easily turned into my dad—a worthless drunk who drowns his feelings of inadequacy in alcohol and gambling. But Bell needed me.

“Boss,” Randy calls from the office. “Phone. It’s your sister.”

I put down the wrench and wipe my hands on my jeans. I’d tell him to take a message, but Sadie rarely calls me at work, especially after I’ve just seen her. I head into the office, shut the door, and pick up the receiver. “Everything all right?”

“Sorry I wasn’t there when you picked up Bell last night,” she says. “I had a raspberry sorbet craving so I went to the market.”

“Nathan told me. Isn’t that his job?”

“I’m trying to walk as much as possible. Keep the weight gain to a minimum.”

I shake my head. She’s having a baby for f*ck’s sake. If Sadie and Amelia are any indication, I wonder if there’s a single woman in that city who knows how to eat. “Just don’t starve my niece or nephew.”

“Did you have a nice weekend?” she asks.

“Yep. Already told Nathan all about it.”

“Really? I asked, and he said you told him it was good.”

“It was.”

“So that’s not telling him all about it. What’d you do?”

Sadie must be fishing for something. Amelia’s the first thing that comes to mind. The only way Sadie’d know anything is if Amelia mentioned Friday night, and she wouldn’t. She has more reason not to than me. “I kicked it,” I say, which is true. “Shot some pool Saturday night.”

“Did you try that pizza place I suggested?”

“Yeah.” My mouth waters. I can almost taste the tomato sauce I sucked off Amelia’s cheek. “It was pretty good.”

“Everyone in the office loves that place.”

“Even your boss?”

“My boss? Uh, no, but she doesn’t like anything. Especially not carbs.”

Feeling something gummy on the sole of my boot, I scrub it on the concrete floor and glance through the office window into the garage. Bell is chattering to Pico about something or other. “What’s her deal anyway?” I ask.

“Who, Amelia? I know how she comes off, but she’s not that bad. A lot of it is for show, I think.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s been through some stuff with an ex and came out a little damaged.”

I frown, tightening my grip on the phone. I already know all this from the source herself but hearing it from Sadie just reignites my disgust with Reggie. Before Bell, I had little patience for men who jerked women around. When I’m with a woman, she always knows where I stand. But now that I’ve got a little girl? Have mercy on gutless f*ckers who cross my path.

“Funny you should ask,” Sadie goes on, “she’s especially schizo today. Her mood was all over the place this morning.”

My frown eases into a small smile. She was in a pretty shitty mood when I met her. And a great one when I left her. It was a night I won’t forget anytime soon. Her legs entwined with mine in the tub. Her long fingers in my hair. I didn’t want to leave her, but I did out of respect. If I’d stayed knowing her feelings could develop into something more, I would’ve felt like shit in the morning. She’s scared. So am I. I’m okay living in fear. It reminds me of the damage one pretty girl can do.

“Did you like avec?” Sadie asks.

I blink out of my Amelia-induced haze. Again, Sadie sounds like she’s fishing or suspicious. “What do you mean? It’s fine, I guess.”

“I love the people I work with, especially Mindy. She’s great.”

“Yeah, uh—” Pico waves me over, pointing at the car I was just working on. There’s smoke coming from the engine. “I’m working, Sadie. I have to go.”

“I know, I know—just a sec. I have a favor to ask.”

“Make it quick.”

“Avec is nominated for an award by a national PR organization and Thursday night is the gala. Amelia purchased a table for the firm, but Nathan can’t come. He has to work.”

Bell ambles toward the car, curious about the commotion, and dumbass Pico does nothing. When Pico gestures at me again, I wave my hand for him to get Bell away from it. Moron. “All right,” I say. “What do you need?”

“Can you please, please come with me? I know it isn’t your thing, but I can’t show up without a date after Amelia spent that much on Nathan’s meal . . .”