Chapter 87
Violet
I take one last look in the mirror; my hair is out and curled, and I’m wearing a pretty cream dress.
Brown high–heeled sandals and matching bag.
It’s the school dance tonight and I’ve made an effort and dressed up to try to make myself feel better.
I don’t know why I’m so flat at the moment, it’s like every time Gabriel calls the children to speak to them on their phones, I die a little inside. Maybe I’m just a selfish cow who liked having the children all to myself.
Not maybe, probably… I’m kind of disgusted with myself, if I’m honest.
Ugh…stop thinking about him.
Who cares what he does? Not me.
“You guys ready?” I call.
“I look so pretty, I can’t stand it,” Lucia calls.
I giggle, this girl’s got spunk, I’ll give it to her.
“Do I have to wear this dumb button–up shirt?” Dom calls from his room. “Yes. It looks amazing.”
“I hate these pants,” he calls.
“You’re wearing them,” Lucia and I call back in unison.
“Come on, let’s go.”
The lightning crashes, the rain comes down as we pull into the school parking lot.
“Lucky we brought our umbrellas, Mom,” Lucia says from the backseat.
“I know, I’m going to drop you guys off close to the door and then go and park the car, no use all of us running in the rain and risking getting wet.”
I pull up under the awning that leads to the stairs, and the kids pile out.
Chapter 87
“See you in five minutes.”
“Okay.”
I drive over and around the corner and park the car, the rain really hammering down now. “Fuck’s sake.” I grab the umbrella and rush to get out of the weather. People are running and scrambling everywhere, why does it have to rain on tonight of all nights? I make my way up the stairs to get to the school hall and see the kids waiting by the door. The indoor basketball court has been transformed into a full winter wonderland.
Hand–painted trees in beautiful reds and golds hang from the ceiling, and fairy lights twinkle in the
sky.
“Whoa.” The kids‘ eyes light up when they see it. “This is so awesome.”
My heart soars as I look around. It’s so fun watching them experience everything for the first time, this is their first school disco.
“Shall we sit over here?” I point to the grandstand, and we make our way over and sit on the bottom row of seats. The music starts and the kids all begin to run to the dance floor. “Oh my god.” Lucia’s eyes are about to pop out of her head.
“Mom,” Dominic screams. “Look, Dad’s here.” Huh?
I glance over to see Gabriel walking through the crowd to us, he’s wearing blue jeans and a navy checked shirt. He looks different tonight, casual and warm.
How did he even know about tonight…oh, the school newsletter.
His dark hair has a bit of length and a wave to it, and his big brown eyes come to meet mine, it’s like he’s walking toward me in slow motion and I feel his presence in the pit of my stomach. Tall, dark and overpowering.
I swallow the lump in my throat as the kids run to meet him.
Felicity Fox may be onto something here… The dilfiest DILF that ever did DILF.
He scoops Lucia up into his arms and picks her up. “What are you doing here?” Lucia laughs.
“Couldn’t miss your first school dance.” He laughs, he turns to Dominic and smiles down at him. “Hello, Son.” He puts his hand on his shoulder and Dom smiles up at him.
Son.
Dart
4
Chapter 87
Something about him calling him that makes me feel emotional.
Gabriel’s eyes come to meet mine. “Vee.”
“Hi.”
“You look beautiful.” He smiles softly.
My stomach flutters.
You hate him…remember. “Thanks.”
He sits down beside me. Lucia dives onto his lap and Dominic sits beside him. “I missed you this week,” his deep voice tells them.
“You did?” Lucia beams.
Dominic bites his bottom lip to hide his smile.
I smile too because, no matter how much of a dick Gabriel Ferrara is, he’s turning into a pretty great
dad.
His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, and my eyes linger on his strong forearms. His veins are ropelike, and as he moves his hand, every muscle contracts.
It’s like a hot wire to my hormones…cut it out.
Another song starts, and the kids‘ friends run over to get them. “Can we go?” Lucia asks.
“Yes. Go have fun.” They run off, and Gabriel and I are left alone.
