Page 49 of Bulletproof

“You know the doll’s not really alive,” Scott assured me.

“Yeah, buddy, I know,” I said just as seriously.

He brightened suddenly. “Do you wanna see one of my karate trophies? I let Grandma keep one here.”

“Absolutely,” I told him as I used Nina, one of the female characters in the game, to destroy the big guy he’d been trying to kill for an hour before he gave up earlier in the night.

“That was so fast.” He was in awe; his eyes were wide with it.

I waggled my eyebrows at him.

“You know all Nina’s moves?”

“Yep,” I teased him.

After a second, he shrugged, which was as close to respect, albeit grudging, that I was going to get.

“I’ll be right back, ’kay? Don’t leave,” he said, and then he, too, was gone.

I looked up at David Fisher. “Can I make them something to eat? Would that be okay?”

He pressed his lips together as he took a step closer. “You’re thinking poorly of me, but I assure you that I’m not the father you think I am. I expected my ex-wife three hours ago. She’s not normally late. I don’t usually have my kids during the week, but it’s my mother’s birthday, and Derek is not⁠—”

“I don’t think anything,” I apprised him, speaking softly. “I swear. Just wanna feed the kids if that’s cool.”

His sigh, coupled with the resigned smile, was endearing. “It’s fine, but I just want you to know there are easily five to ten odd circumstances about this night that have created what you’re seeing here.”

“Okay.”

“I just …” He inhaled deeply. “I don’t like my kids around my dates until⁠—”

“You’re serious, so they don’t get attached.”

“Correct.”

“I’ve dated men with children in the past. I get it.”

We just stared at each other as the kids flew back into the room.

“Jory, look at Jamie.”

The doll was one of those creepy ones with the eyes that opened and closed. She looked like she belonged in a Hitchcock movie. The karate trophy was easier to be excited about, and I realized what had taken so long was that Scott had changed into his gi, proudly showing off his yellow belt.

I watched as he demonstrated his moves and then clapped hard when he was done, doing the special bow his sensei had taught him. I even whistled.

“You carry that thing with ya wherever you go?” I gestured at the gi. “So you can change into it like Spider-Man?”

“I had practice today after school.”

I shrugged. “Would’ve been cooler if you’d just gone with it.”

He nodded coolly.

“I’m hungry,” Becca said again.

I looked up at David. “You said it was okay if I fed them, right?”

“Oh, no, you don’t have to do⁠—”