Bear Meets Girl
Page 28

Yeah. Sure.
Crush walked away from her, heading toward the elevators, and home.
Man, does that guy run hot and cold. She faced Novikov and Blayne. At the very least youd think hed want to sleep with the Bare Knuckles Malone.
Shaking her head and throwing her hands up in the air, Blayne let out a big, overdramatic sigh.
Whats that for?
Unable to speakwhich was amazing for Blayneshe motioned to Novikov.
What? Cella pushed.
Youre really surprised he left? Novikov asked.
Yeah. I wore these sweats on purposethey make my ass look great. I have a beautiful smileas always. And we had a great game.
We had an okay game, Novikov felt the need to correct. Cella balled her fingers into fists and he waved the correction away. Forget I said anything.
I will. So explain to me what I did wrong with Mr. Uptight.
Blayne lunged forward, forefinger jabbing dangerously, but Novikov pulled her back and held her with one hand.
Ill run it down for you. You introduced that tiger as your daughters father.
Bri is her father.
You discussed your gift-giving plans.
Its Meghans eighteenth on Sunday and were planning to give her a car, but we have to figure out which one. Something sporty or something reliable? Im thinking sporty.
Right. You also briefly talked about wedding plans and a bachelorette party.
My mom is the planner for Bris wedding here and Im maid of honor in the States so Im handling that bachelorette party for Rivka. I still dont see the problem.
Thats because youre looking at each thing individually when you should be stepping back and taking in the whole discussion. Then pretend for five seconds that youre a normal person rather than, ya know, you, and think about how a normal person would see that whole thing without having any context whatso
Oh, my God!
Novikov nodded. Exactly.
Crush neared the front door of the Sports Center, the full-humans instinctively moving out of his way, when the feline suddenly cut in front of him. She slapped her hand against his chest, stopping him from going any farther.
Its not my wedding.
Crush frowned. Pardon?
She took a breathshe must have run all the way upand repeated, Its not my wedding. Hes father to my child, but hes not marrying me. Hes marrying someone else completely.
And will he get custody?
Custody of who?
The child that can barely reach the stove, but you leave alone for hours?
Barely reach the ... You mean Meghan? She laughed. Meghans seventeen.
Uh-huh.
Seriously, I was joking. You have heard of jokes, right?
Thought jokes were supposed to be funny.
It helps if one has a sense of humor. She patted his chest. But with some work and care, Im sure I can give you one.
No thanks.
Startled, she took a step back. Youre not going to give me a chance to prove Im a wonderful person?
You already think youre a wonderful person. What do you need me for?
She dropped her hands to her hips, squinting up at him.
What?
Im trying to figure out if youre just a dick or if youre really an uptight, overthinking good guy?
How about I make the decision for you.
Crush stepped around her and walked out, determined to get away from this insane feline. And, as the door closed behind him, Crush heard her bark, Well I guess its just you being a dick then, huh?
CHAPTER EIGHT
Cella woke up swinging, but her wrists were quickly caught and held and a strong voice snapped, Ma!
Cella opened her eyes, immediately relaxed. Hey, baby. Was I sleep-punching again?
No. Meghan released her.
What time is it?
Three a.m.
Really? Then Cella grinned and threw her arms wide, wrapping them around her daughter. Baby, its your birthday!
Meghan hugged her back, but sighed. Yeah. Great birthday.
Whats wrong? Cella leaned back. You and Josie have a fight?
No. I got my ... ya know.
Your period? Would you just say it? Youre going to be a doctor.
Id prefer to say my menstruation started, but then youd get bitchy about that.
That just sounds snobby.
Anyway, I was wondering if you could take me to the twenty-four-hour drugstore on Jericho Turnpike? Im out of supplies.
Your cousins dont have anything you can use?
Im sure they do ... they also have brothers that Id rather not sit around with on my birthday discussing this.
Cella shuddered, remembering life with her own cousins at that age. Nothing was sacred or secret.
Throwing off the covers, Cella got out of bed. Come on.
After changing out of her shorts and tank top and into a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt, she grabbed a set of SUV keys and they went out onto the street that the Malone family had taken over long before little Meghan was born. It was a street that Nassau police steered clear of. So did any local car thieves or home invaders. Every once in a while, those who didnt know the area well enough or thought they were too smart to get caught came here looking to steal or just cause problems.