Page 98 of Perfectly Naïve
“Yeah, yeah. Love you too.” She’s trying hard to sound like she doesn’t care, but her voice softens on those three words. “So, dinner with our dads?”
I nod. “Yup! At your favorite restaurant.”
That gets her going. Cici starts planning what she’s going to eat, talking so fast it’s hard for me to keep up, but after seeing her with her friends, seeing how she’s handling herself, I know Cici is going to be all right.
So long as George doesn’t get custody.
Quartino Ristorante is always busy, especially with it being by Navy Pier, but tonight there are a couple of large parties. The already lively atmosphere is a riot of noise, laughter, pizza, and pasta.
Cici sits next to me at the booth, across from Josh andLalo, who look exactly the same as they did ten years ago and yet older all at once. Cici’s been chattering about school and her friends, filling them in on everything they need to know. I admire her ability to simply forgive and move on.
I’m still holding on to some frustration. I know it’s not healthy. Trying to release my annoyance, I take a sip of my water, watching the waitress place the pizza we ordered on the stand in the middle of the table. Josh and Lalo were trying. They made the best of a shitty situation. They were there for all my big moments. Maybe it’s unfair to be mad that they weren’t always there, considering George had a court order and full custody.
Lalo catches the furrow of my brow. “How about you, Li? How’s the job going?”
“Good. I’m managing a few accounts on my own and taking on more responsibility. My boss thinks I’m on track to move up to senior manager in the next year or so.”
Lalo beams at me. “That’s amazing. You’ve worked so hard to stand on your own. I hope you know how proud we are.”
“So proud,” Josh cuts in. “I tell all my golf buddies about you, and I can tell they’re jealous. Their kids are too busy wasting their trust funds to get serious about a career, but not my son. My son has drive.”
My throat is suddenly thick. “Thanks, Dad.” The nature of them being mydadshas been a sore subject ever since the custody case. George was vicious, tried to destroy our relationships, but they didn’t give up. “How’s the gardening going?”
“More like not going,” Lalo says with a laugh.
Josh gives him a look. “I got some tomatoes this year.”
“Two, and they were rotten.” Lalo shakes his head. “His green thumb is broken.”
Cici perks up. “I can help garden! I took care of a bambooplant...” She trails off. “But it’s probably going to die now,” she finishes softly, features pinching.
Lalo and Josh both reach across the table for her hands. “We’ll get you as many bamboo plants as you want.”
She smiles and sniffs. “Thanks.”
“So,” Josh hedges, “is that an omega I scent?” He arches his eyebrows.
“Probably some whore,” a gruff voice sounds, sending dread through my entire body. Fucking George. How did he know we were here? More importantly, who the fuck does he think he is calling my omega a whore?
“Watch your mouth, old man.”
George’s fake tan has sunk into his wrinkles, making him look like a creepy tangerine. “Or what?” he demands, glancing at my sister. “You left without saying goodbye.”
Cici fidgets. “Uh, sorry?”
I place my hand on her back. “You don’t have to apologize to him.” Glaring at George, I lower my voice. “Does your lawyer know you’re here?” Thanks to some of Josh’s connections, we have an expedited hearing with the judge.
“I thought I could come join the celebration.” He starts to take his seat next to Cici, forcing her to scoot over into me or get squashed beneath him.
She hides it well, but with her sitting so close, I catch the way she trembles as he settles into his seat.
My hackles rise. “You’re intruding and need to leave.”
He scoffs. “Don’t be silly.” George smirks at his former packmates. “You two look geriatric.”
“Still an asshole, I see,” Lalo growls.
“George, you need to leave,” Josh demands, alpha bark crashing into me and Cici, who cringes. Josh shoots her a worried look. “Shit, sorry, C.”
