AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Fiore. My last name is Fiore.”
“As if you’re picking up the tab. If it isn’t the old man’s money, it’ll be Seth’s.”
Clary really wanted to roll her eyes, but she simply flicked her brows up and let the comment roll off her. She wouldn’t engage with him over this old topic that would for sure not have a conclusion.
“Why are we even taking part in this stupid stunt of hers?” Elton continued. “It’s not like she’s going to stick around. This one year of gifts won’t do anything for the children. When she’s gone in a couple of weeks or days—because she will get sick of you—” Elton turned to Seth “—then—”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” Clary stopped walking, then spun around to face Elton. “Stop it,” she snapped at him.
It was one thing to talk about her being a gold-digger, but to keep going on about how she would definitely leave Seth was another. She didn’t care if Elton thought that, but he could at least keep the thought to himself.
Because she could see how it affected Seth.
In his mind, all Seth saw of himself was his baggage, and Elton’s words weren’t helping.
“Stop behaving like a spoiled teenager,” Clary said. “You’re too old for that, and I have no patience for handling you like a child when you’re not one.” She looked over at Seth. “Unless he has some intellectual disability that you’re hiding from me.”
Seth couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’m not a child.”
“Then stop acting like one!” She cleared her throat when a passing stranger turned at her shout. She flashed a bright smile and apologized.
Elton rolled his eyes again, and Clary suddenly marveled at the patience and strength of every parent with teenagers.
The four of them remained silent until they were the only ones left in the aisle.
Elton was the first to open his mouth, but Clary interjected, “Go grab those things on the list.”
Because she really didn’t want to speak with Elton or have him remain in her sight for now.
She jabbed a finger at Zane. “You go with him.” And make sure you keep him away. For now, she really just wanted to get the shopping done so she could go home, wrap everything up, and cook.
Zane glanced over at Seth, and Clary narrowed her eyes.
“Go with him.” Seth and Clary remained where they were standing. “I’m sorry about Elton,” he said when they were out of sight. “I asked Zane to come over. I thought he’d just leave Elton to continue with the shopping.”
“Problem for another day.” She continued ahead. “It’s Christmas Eve. I don’t want to fight anymore.” She hooked a hand on his arm when he looked over her shoulder. “And stop worrying. If Persistent Pete really is here, let him watch if he wants.”
No matter how strong his eye power was, it wouldn’t hurt her.
“Maybe we should get a restraining order,” Seth said.
“Pete Laker hasn’t threatened to hurt me.”
“You’re going to wait until he does that before applying for one?”
“The law won’t grant me a restraining order until that happens.”
“What?” Seth frowned. “That’s stupid.”
“I know.” She turned down the next aisle. “But it’s the law.”
“How can you be so nonchalant about it?”
“God has protected me thus far. He will continue to do so.” She grinned when he narrowed his eyes. “Jesus loves you, too.”
“If you ask me to invite Him into my heart now, I’m going to turn and leave you here.”
