Page 162 of Mr. Infuriating

Missy made a point of looking at Jake when she replied, “And she doesn’t have any baggage.”

Oh no, you didn’t.

I planted a kiss on the crown of Jake’s head and gave him a little squeeze.

“Are you hungry, buddy? I brought some snacks for you.”

He nodded enthusiastically at the same time Gretchen asked, “You did?”

I reached into the cooler and pulled out two plastic storage containers. One filled with grapes, sliced apples, and orange slices and the other with crackers.

“Of course I did.”

Hoping I’d made my point that Jake was not “baggage,” I looked at where Missy was still standing and asked, “I’m sorry, did you say something?” as I removed the lids and held onto the containers so Jake could dig in.

With a fake smile plastered on her face, she replied, “No. Just looking forward to having Brayden over tomorrow night.”

I’ll bet you are.

I was going to have a conversation with my son about how to respond when Missy tried grilling him.

“Thanks for having him. He always has a good time at your house.”

“I’m glad. We think of him as our bonus son.”

That was a reminder I needed to be civil to this woman since Brayden spent so much time at her house. As annoying as I found her right now, I had to concede she was good to my kid.

“We love Will, too.”

Okay lady, how much small talk are we going to make?

Thankfully, the crowd roared, and she realized she’d just missed a big play.

“It was good seeing you, Gabe.” She finally acknowledged Gretchen again with a tight smile. “You too, Mrs. Wainwright.”

Gretchen mirrored Missy’s smile. “Always a pleasure.”

Once Missy walked away, I turned to Gretchen.

“I’m so sorry about that.”

“I think she was shocked to see mesitting with you.”

“She didn’t need to be rude.”

Gretchen smirked. “She just wanted to make sure you know what a catch her sister is.”

“Yeah, that’s never going to happen. I don’t know why Missy would want to set her sister up with me anyway; she’s said her sister is looking to get married and have kids. I’ve told her I don’t want more kids. But she’s under the illusion that I’ll somehow change my mind.”

“You will, Dad,” Brittany piped in. “For the right woman.”

****

Gretchen

I knew better than to think I was that woman.

~~

---