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He’s been so quiet that I could almost forget he was there. She’s right. He’s going to wake up any minute and scream bloody murder until someone feeds him. It’s amazing how much everything has changed in the space of a month.
It’s difficult to remember when Liz and Matthew weren’t a part of my life.
“Should we wake him?” I ask.
“Absolutely not. I’m enjoying the quiet.”
“But I’m hungry,” I whisper pleadingly.
“Let’s go, ya big baby. There’s a sandwich place over there.”
Of course, just when we start walking, Matthew wakes up. He starts moving his little head around like he’s hungry. I know we have precious seconds until he starts wailing. I hurriedly look through our bag and grab a bottle.
“I’ll feed him while we walk,” I offer while reaching for him.
“You’re only offering because you want to stuff your face as soon as possible.”
“That’s correct,” I agree, just as my stomach growls loudly. “See, I’m starving to death.”
She stifles a grin and tries to keep her face blank. “It would be embarrassing if you passed out. Let’s get you some food.”
Liz plops the bottle into Matthew’s mouth, and we head toward the café. Matthew sucks on the bottle like he’s never eaten before. He must have been hungry because he finishes by the time we reached the café.
“He was even hungrier than me,” I comment.
“We got one fed. Now, let’s get the other fed. I don’t want you getting hangry on me,” Liz says.
“Me? Hangry?” I think not.
“No, never you.” Before heading inside, she pauses next to a table near the entrance. “Do you mind if we sit here? I’d love to eat outside. I’m not ready to go back indoors.”
I look back toward where the security guard is standing. He’s leaning against a wall near the café, pretending to look at his phone. He glances up at me and nods once.
“Sure, let’s sit outside,” I say agreeably. Even though I don’t like the thought of just sitting out here in the open, it seems safe enough. I notice the guard walk a few steps closer as I take a seat.
I pull out a chair for Liz, making sure her back is to the sidewalk and street. That way, I can still keep a watch behind and around her. The sidewalk is fairly busy, but I feel safety in numbers. Nothing’s going to happen on a busy sidewalk.
I’m still carrying Matthew. I lay him against my chest and shoulder and gently rub his back as a female server comes by to take our order.
“What a cute baby,” she coos. She turns to Liz. “What a sweet husband and baby. They are so adorable together.”
“That’s not my husband,” Liz quickly corrects.
The server’s eyes swing to me, andshe smiles flirtatiously. “Well, he’s still adorable,” she says while winking at me.
Liz says, more loudly than necessary, “I think we’re ready to order.”
“Of course. What can I get for you?” The server addresses her question to me, completely ignoring Liz. She runs her hand through her long, curly auburn hair and smiles at me.
A small part of me would like to see Liz’s reaction if I were to flirt back. Then again, she’s already shooting daggers at me like I’ve done something wrong.
“Liz, you order first. I’m not quite ready.”
The server reluctantly turns to Liz and takes her order of a ham sandwich and a salad before looking at me again. “How about you? What can I get you?”
“I have a big appetite, and I’m starving. What can you suggest?”
She flutters her perfectly made-up eyelashes at me. “When I have a big appetite, I like something really filling. Something satisfying,” she says seductively. “How about a steak?”
