Page 38 of Honey Trapped

“I’m okay. You been being good for Ace, Tish, and Gianna?” She starts to shake her head no but then quickly nods. “Lennon?”

She giggles and climbs into the chair Ace was just in.

I close my eyes and lay back on the pillow for just a second.

Then I hear Ace. “You've got some damn nerve. I’m here with my girls and you want to start your poor me shit.” My girls. I smile. And then, “You want to apologize. Best way to say I’m sorry is changed behavior. Gotta tell you though I’ve already applied for a restraining order. Which means you don’t keep your distance from me and mine there’ll be consequences. You'd do good to remember what happened to the last person to threaten my woman.”

“Your woman?”

“Yeah, my woman. Took me long enough but finally found it.”

“Found what?”

“My smile.”

“How’d she trap you? What’d she do claim she’s pregnant?”

“Trapped me with her pure, sweet honey. No tricks or games. No lies. That’s your game. Norah doesn't need anything but herself.” He pauses. The curtain slides open. “See that right there.” He pointsto Lennon and me. “No comparison. No competition.”

“Ace,” I murmur.

“Yeah, babe?”

“Stop fighting with your ex and kiss me.”

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Ace

“So they aren't pressing charges?”

“No. Said it was self-defense. Bastard got what was coming to him.”

“Good. Glad it all worked out for you, man.” Prez slaps me on the back. “Chelle Belle wants you to bring your Ol’ Lady and the kid by for dinner.”

“I’ll make it happen. She makes damn good banana pudding.”

“Bet that’s not all she's good at the way you've been smiling lately. We’re all real happy for you,brother. About time you were rid of the cunt Eileen and landed ye a fine piece.”

“Fuck. The nutter finally took the damn hint. Sold the house and took off to parts unknown.”

“Think she’s gone for good?”

“She better be. Think serving her with the restraining order made it sink in that I’ve been done.”

“All right. Go on. Get home to your woman.”

I head out but go to my place. It’s late and I’m sure Norah’s already in bed. I don't want to wear out my welcome. We’ve spent nearly every night together since she was released from the hospital.

I kick off my boots and grab a beer from the fridge. I stare at Lennon’s artwork that decorates the freezer door. Never thought I’d be spending a majority of my time hanging with a three-year-old having tea parties with a guinea pig. I shake my head and drop my ass to the couch.

I take a sip of my beer and grab the remote to the TV when I receive a text.

Norah:You home?

Ace:Just got in.

Norah:I’m in my bed and you’re...not

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