Broken but Breathing (Jinx Tattoos 2)

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“I went to my goddaughter’s first birthday party, and it brought back a lot of my memories of Joce. I think about her every day, but I rarely dwell. It only causes pain and anger I can’t resolve.” Yet.

“I’m sorry, Xavier.” Reaching out, she placed a hand on his arm. His mouth went dry. He swallowed.

“I thought I’d be good. I spend a lot of time with Aoife. But seeing all the parents with their kids…” He shook his head. “It was all I could do to make it through the hour.”

She squeezed and retreated to her side of the couch. “You never get over losing a child. It’s okay to be upset.”

“No, you don’t. I can still hear her laugh so fucking crystal clear. My girl loved to laugh and be silly. She was a ham, always putting on a show and cheesing for the camera.” He smiled with sweet remembrance. She lit up his life.

“I know she must’ve been an amazing little girl.”

“Total spitfire, like her mother,” he said.

Beeps came from the kitchen.

“Sorry. I think the potatoes might be done, and I need to marinate the steak.”

“Take your time. I can entertain myself,” he said.

“I have Netflix and Hulu.” After handing him the remote from the table, she hurried into the kitchen.

He turned on the television and began to surf through the movies. “Sprite, don’t take this the wrong way. You know I think you’re gorgeous, but we have to put some meat on your bones.”

Her head popped between the bars on the divider which separated the living room from the kitchen.

“I thought thin was in,” she said.

“Not for you. As your support I got to keep it real, right?” he asked.

She laughed. “Is that why you kept plying me with all those damn wings?”

“Yep. I been where you are. I was fifty pounds lighter after everything that happened.”

“Jesus, I can’t even picture that,” she said, disappearing back into her cubby hole.

I can picture you with full hips and a fat ass damn easy. He shifted his weight on the couch, cursing his libido. Usually he’d screw and drink the emotions away. Tonight he knew trying to sleep with someone he cared nothing about would make his skin crawl. What would my girls think of me now?

“Dinner’s ready,” Es called.

Saved by the bell.

They sat down at the tiny table for two against the wall she’d laid out with paper plates, paper towels, and silverware.

“Scotch?” she asked, waving the bottle.

He nodded.

“On the rocks or straight up?”

“Rocks, please.”

She stunned him by pulling out a nice set of tumblers.

She smiled. “Even before Bartending School, I loved drinks and glassware. It’s the one bit of frivolity I’ve allowed myself.” She brought their drinks over and set his in front of him. “How are you feeling now?”

“Better, support. You do your job okay.”