“Lo,” I correct.
“Lo,” he purrs in a sexy voice that sends shivers down my spine. “How about that little Mexican place on the boulevard?”
“No!” After Gabe and I split, I went to Arturo and begged for my job back. He didn’t hesitate, didn’t even miss a beat, but I propositioned a strict, “no funny business” rule be in place. I cannot take Dr. Hottie to my workplace, because that would be awkward. “Um ... I can’t eat Mexican.”
Clem raises a brow, and then I see her joining the dots in her head and she lets out a boisterous laugh. “Oh my god, he wants to take you to Black Sombrero where your boss also wants to bang you?”
I reach over and cover her mouth, hoping like hell he didn’t hear any of that.
“Okay, I’ll find someplace else for us,” Harrison says.
“Sounds great.”
“Tomorrow night, then?”
I pause and bite my bottom lip. “Ah, I’ll have to check with Gabe.”
“You have to ask your ex if you can date me?”
“No! God, no. Nothing like that. I just ... um ... I’ll need to see if he can take Axl, is all.”
“Right. Of course.”
“So, I’ll um ... I’ll text you.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
I hang up and glare at Clem. “Jesus, what is with everyone wanting to cunt-block me today?”
“I didn’t cunt-block you. I know how much your cunt needs unblocking ... wait ... that sounds weird. Look ... I’m so for your vagina getting all the attention it needs, I’ll even babysit the rug rat so you don’t have to ask Gabe.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
I launch myself at her with a squeal and we go down in a heap of hugging limbs. “I love you.”
“I know. I love you too. Besides, no grown-ass woman should have to ask her ex-husband if she can date another guy. It’s bullshit.”
“It’s not like that and you know it.”
“What I know is that Gabe fucked up. I love him, but his actions are the reason you’re no longer together. He doesn’t get a say in who you let play with your clit.”
Axl’s cries come from the other room, and I sigh. “Apparently no one does, at least not tonight.”
“I don’t know, there’s always your old friend Octopussy.”
“Oh my god. I still can’t believe he told everyone about that.”
“Probably just jealous you were sticking it to yourself with a latex octopus tentacle instead of letting him fuck the shit out of you.”
“Yeah, and look where that got us.” I get up and open the door to Clem’s bedroom. Axl toddles out crying as he rubs his eyes with his little fists. “Aw, it’s okay, little man. Mommy’s here.” I pick him up and carry him on my hip, tucking his head and messy curls in against my shoulder. He sucks his binkie and sniffles. “Come on, kid. Let’s get you home.”
“You want me to call you guys a Lyft?”
“No, I’m good. That’s the funny thing about motherhood—instant sobriety the second you see those tears.”
“You’re a fucking great mom, Lo.”