I chuckles 1 hold up a checked shirt and rys it suspicioadly
“That’s fucking hideous, man
“True.” I put a hack the hanger and keep looking
it o
“So what is this town actually like?” he ask as we keep looking
“..” I shrug. “Thate to say it, but it’s kind of growing on
“Why?”
“Seraphina and the kids are there. I pull off mother checked shirt and hold it out to look at it.
“Can I come this weekend to meet win??
“No, not yet.“”
You say that every week.” He takes it off me and puts back “What’s happening
“She hates me.
His eyes flick to meet mine. “I thought you were all in love.”
“It’s one sided.”
“Your side?” He frowns.
ing with Seraphina, anyway?”
“Yep.” I hold out another shirt. “Maybe I should get a belt with a big tuck–off cowboy buckle?”
“Maybe you shouldn’t.” He holds up a T–shirt, screws up his face and puts it back. “How’s Ariana?”
*Tealled her yesterday to check on her.”
“And”
“And…….I’m officially the worst human in the world. While I’m breaking her wart, someone else is breaking mine.” “Karma.” He nods all knowingly.
I fake a smile and drop it immediately.
“So what do they wear in this town?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug, “Average dad stuff.”
u you mean to tell me we’re shopping to try and make you look like an average dad?”
“Doy
“Yeah.” I nod. “Txactly”
“Why would you want t
to do that?
“All my kid’s life he’s been different beca
normal dad who does normal things.”
he dain’t have a dad.” I pick up a shirt and throw it over my arm. “I just want him to feel normal. With a
“Except..you’re not normal, you will never be formal You’re one of the wealthiest men in the world.”
“Yeah, well…..” I pick up another shirt. “That means jack shit to him.” 1 throw another shirt over my arm. “You want to come over to my place for dinner
tonight?”
“Yeah, okay.” He takes a shirt off me and puts it back. “This one is better.” He passes me another shirt ran the rack.
“So what’s the plan, long term I mean?” he asks
REAL FREEDOM
Ithink for a moment. “Convince Seraphina to love me.”
7p.m
“Chop the onions in thin slices I watch the woman intently and fo
I follow her directions Fearefully chop the onion
“Now what?” I ask
“You know you’re speaking to an iPad, right?” Mark says from his stool at the kitchen counter.
“shut up
“Pour the olive oil into the pan and saute the onions until they become fragrant ”
“How the hell does an onions turns into Fragrance?” 1 frown. “What the fuck is the fragrance, onion juicer
Mark rolls his eyes and sips his heer. My door luizzes. “Golet Alessio in, will you? Mack disappears to nower the door.
“While the ions are cooking, get the breadcrumbs ready,” I watch what she does intently, how does the doo many things at the same time? Alessio arrives in the kitchen and from when he sees me in my apron. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Cooking”
“Why, where is your chef?
“Night off. I’m learning to cook from YouTube,” I reply.
“This is going too far now.” Alessio rolls his eyes. “Who are you and what have you done with my brother?”
“I want to cook for my children.”
So ask Mom to teach you.”
“I’m not talking to Mom”
Alessio drags his hand down his face. Til stay but only if you call
Mom tomorrow.”
“Get out, then”
“Marinate the meat in a closed container,” she instructs.
Alessio opens a beer and the boys start chatting while I go to grab a container. I look in one drawer, then another, then another. I can find the bottom hm
The onions sizzle. “They’re burning.” Alessio calls.
“Shit.” I grab the pan with my bare hand. “Ahhh, its hot!” flick it away and it nearly all tips out
You are so bad at this.”
Deshut up.
I keep searching, “I know why it’s called Tupperware,” I snap “It’s
Tupper, where is the ”
“So am I going home, or are you calling Mom fomorrow?”
“I’m not apologizing to her, she was in the wrong.” The onions are smoking. “Stop distracting me, that’s burning over here.”
“You just have to call her.”
“I don’t care if you don’t stay Pack off home, then.”
Chapter 95
“And I don’t care for food poisoning. Deal or no deal?
to me and stay out of my business.
“Nudeal,” 1 snap. “Leave my mother to me
qos hit beer. “If this tastes like shit, we’re going mil terat
Alessio squ
1 peer into the pan at the burnedd onions, “High possibility”
