Page 30 of Vincent
"Will I get a bellyache if I eat too much?"
Vincent felt his heart melting as he stared at the boy. His mouth was smeared with chocolate syrup and his hair was tousled. They had been given the corner booth to afford them some privacy, one that he had requested.
"What do you think?" Vincent asked him teasingly. "How many pancakes have you had now?"
David looked down at his plate and grinned sheepishly. "Three. Will I be getting a bellyache? I don't want to throw up like Maggie and spoil my day with grandpa and grandma Weathers."
"Does that mean you're finished?"
He nodded solemnly.
"Then I guess your belly is safe for now." Leaning over, he dabbed at the boy's mouth.
"Daddy?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you like Thea?"
The question coming from nowhere had Vincent jolting. "Why do you ask?"
"She said you were best friends in high school."
"We were."
"Do you like her?"
"Do you like Charley?" Vincent countered.
David nodded slowly. "Sometimes. When he's not being nasty and keeping his toys from me. Or when he's not pulling on Theresa's hair. I think he likes her."
Vincent grinned at his son's keen instinct.
"That might be the case."
"I like Greta, but I don't pull her hair."
Vincent signaled for the check. "Is she the pretty little blonde with the missing front tooth?"
David nodded. "I told her it would grow back."
"That's right. You're missing several yourself." Thanking the waitress and leaving the necessary tip, he took his son's hand. "Ready to go?"
"Yes!"
*****
She had cleaned the house from top to bottom and soaked for an hour in the tub. Her legs were shaven and her toenails were painted a lovely carnival pink that set off her skin tone. She had agonized over whether or not to get dressed. She did not want to assume anything by just donning a see-through robe she had bought at Romano's when she was living in Paris.
The robe was a slinky champagne silk with lace from the deep plunging neckline to just below her waist and slithered down to her ankles. She had decided against wearing makeup. That would have been unnecessary. She kept going over the brief conversation in the parking lot to make certain she had not misread the situation.
He had clearly said he wanted her. And that he was coming over. That could only mean one thing. They were going to end up inher bed. She had stripped off the sheets, putting on clean linen that smelled like sunshine and vanilla.
There was wine nestled in the bucket with ice and a few leftover pastries and some cheese. She had wondered if she should provide supper, but her stomach was too jumpy to keep anything down. He had not said he wanted anything to eat. And she did not want to assume.
Taking a deep breath, she made her way downstairs and had just turned towards the front door when the bell sounded.
He was right on time, she thought, the nerves dancing all over her spine.
