Page 23 of Honey Trapped

“Yup. And for you?” She gets Norah’s order last. Some kind of fruit with yogurt shit and a bagel with cream cheese.

The waitress goes to get our drinks, and I lean over to see what Lennon is drawing. “Whatcha making?”

She meows at me and slides the paper closer to Norah.

“Lennon, that’s not nice. Ace asked you a question.”

The rotten kid looks between the two of us. “Is a sprize.”

“A what?”

“She means a surprise,” Norah informs me.

We get our drinks and Lennon puts her crayon down and slides the paper in front of me on the table. “What’s this?” I pick it up not having the slightest clue what the blobs and shapes are.

Lennon smiles while clacking her fingers like she’s trying to snap them but failing. “You.” She points to a green circle that I guess is my head. “Me and Mommy,” she says pointing at the two red blobs.

“This for me?”

She nods.

“I’ll hang it on my fridge.”

At my words she comes right at me for a hug.

“Oh um. Okay.” I pat her back as she tries to put her arms around me.

“Well, isn't this something,” I hear Eileen speak acidly.

“Keep it moving,” I tell her.

“Come here, baby.” Norah reaches for Lennon.

“Don’t worry. I don't want to ruin your breakfast though you’ve ruined my appetite.”

I snort. “What do you want?”

“You owe me an apology,” she hisses.

I shove out from the table. “Outside. Now.”

Eileen smirks at Norah and saunters toward the exit.

“I’ll be back.”

“Sure.” Norah gives me a weak smile, and I feel like a dick that Eileen showed her ass in front of them.

I get outside and Eileen licks her lips. “Ace, I’m sorry. I saw you with that little girl and it hurt.”

“Cut the shit. I don’t buy it. I don't get you. You weren't happy when you were with me, so I cut you loose. You won. You got the house, the car, and money to support your ridiculous lifestyle. What do you want from me? Huh? What? You see me withsomeone, and you can’t handle it. Why is that? What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“I told you. I want you back, Ace. Tell me you don't love me.”

“Fucking hell. That it. Easy. Eileen, I think you’re trash. Washed up and used up.” I stare at her appearance. Jeans too damn tight. Her belly pooching over the waist. Tits spilling out of her top. Bitch looks cheap. Tacky. She’s as ugly on the outside as she is in. She reeks of liquor. “You’re sad and pathetic. You need to take your ass onto church and pray for God to give you a fucking clue. I don't want you. I don’t even like you. I sure as fuck don’t love you. I’m starting to think I never did, because, honey, I never knew the real you till now. And what I’ve seen I want no part of but that in there. Norah and her daughter. Only known them a few days and they’ve made me smile more than I have in the ten years since I met you.”

Eileen stares at me in utter shock and for once silence. I turn to leave, and she grabs my hand. “Don't,” I grit through my teeth and jerk away from her.

“Is that really how you see me?”

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