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“Permanently,” she answered for him.
“Red or white wine, Patrick?”
“Might need to change my order to whiskey.”
“Have some of this. I picked it up earlier today.” Mr. Dixon filled a stemless glass full of burgundy liquid.
I hoisted Blake on my hip and accepted.
“Either he stays for dinner or I do.” Marlow folded her arms over her chest.
“Or both of you,” Mr. Dixon passed her a white serving dish. “Put this on the table, please.”
With a scowl, she did as told.
“How’s the case going?” Mrs. Quinn took a sip of wine.
“Not great. I have an uncooperative client.”
“You’re an expert at uncooperative.” Marlow plunked another dish down in the center of the table.
“Let’s eat.” Mr. Dixon nudged me in that direction.
I put Blake back into his chair. Mrs. Quinn and Mr. Dixon sat so that the only available seat was next to Marlow.
She scooted her chair away from me.
“Are we twelve?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Did you know I would be here?”
“As a matter of fact, I did not.” I scooped broccoli onto my plate.
She accepted the bowl when I passed it to her. “If I had, I assure you—”
“You wouldn’t be here. I got that loud and clear.” Why did that sting so much? And why did I have to sound so bitter? She knew it bothered me.
“Dad, this isn’t the way to build trust back.”
“The young man seems to be the best person at communicating with you. I invited him in case we needed a referee.” He winked at me.
“We thought you might like to have a friend here,” Mrs. Quinn chimed in.
Marlow scowled. “He’s not my friend.”
“Nope. Definitely not your friend.” Something we could wholeheartedly agree on.
I was still so angry and confused by her. I’d drawn up a contract to ensure all her needs were satisfied. Loved her little boy as my own. Cared forher. Yet she continued to fling arrows in my direction.
If anyone had the right to be mad, it was me. She wanted me to sever all rights to my child. What went through her mind to decide that? I wasn’t a bad person. And she wanted me to have nothing to do with my own child. I was trying, but hiring Zegas? That move nearly destroyed my faith in her.
“Why don’t you leave?”
“Why don’t you simmer down?”
“Who do you think you are telling me what to do?”
“Who do you think you are trying to pull the crap you have?” I’d had just about enough.
