Avril brings her hand up to Levi’s face like she’s cupping his cheek and about to kiss him.
I inhale a sharp breath, unable to watch, but can’t tear my gaze away, either.
He brings her hand down, points for her to leave, and storms off.
“That woman is a menace,” he mutters, coming back to his seat at the table.
“She’s quite… That’s your type?” I ask.
I don’t fit the mold if he’s into redheads who are absolute bitches.
“Oh, no. I don’t know,” he stammers, and rubs a hand through his hair. Is he nervous? “She’s just a friend.”
“I don’t like your friends,” Amelia says.
The waiter brings our lunch to the table, and I’m sure Levi is grateful for the reprieve from answering questions while we all eat.
“Yeah, me either,” I quip, taking a bite of my sandwich. I should keep my mouth shut and not intervene in this already messy conversation, but I can’t help myself. I want it stated on the record that I don’t like Avril.
“Wow, both of you?” Levi says. “I expect it from her”—he nods toward his daughter—“but you, too?”
“I call it as I see it.”
“She was just surprised that I have a daughter.”
“Yeah, I’m sure that was the surprise,” I mutter under my breath.
“What does that mean?” Levi asks, pinning me with his stare.
I reach for my glass, sipping my water, my mouth dry. I can’t think. Answer. Respond.
“Well?” Levi asks, before taking a bite of his sandwich. He’s waiting for me to answer.
“The woman was practically flinging herself at you and was insulting to your daughter.”
“Yeah, I don’t like her,” Amelia chimes, making sure she gets to voice her opinion. “Don’t date her, Daddy. She’s not very nice. I don’t want her to become my mommy. I want Clare Bear to be my new mommy.”
With a full bite of the sandwich in my mouth, my eyes widen, and all I can do is chew. I’m kind of grateful that I can’t speak, because this conversation just became even more awkward.
Levi’s eyes tighten. “Did you put her up to this?” he asks, pointing at Amelia.
I wait for a second and swallow my last bite, grabbing some water to down it before speaking. “No, of course not.” Why is he getting upset with me? “What are you talking about?”
“Marriage. Being Amelia’s mother. The kid didn’t just come up with that on her own.”
“Levi, lower your voice,” I say. It feels like several other tables are staring at us.
“We sleep together once, and what, you want me to put a ring on it? You’re the nanny, Clare. Don’t ever forget that.”
I stand. I can’t take his attitude or his brashness.
“Where are you going?” he demands.
“I need to take a walk,” I say, the chair sliding out from under me as I stand and step away from the table.
“Sit. You’re making a scene,” he seethes.
“No, Levi. You’re the one making a scene.”