to city council. But even that wasn’t enough for him. He had bigger dreams. He was aiming to be elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in the next year. According to what he’d told Danica so far, he had a really good chance.
“Controller?” Delia had laughed. “Can’t think of a more perfect job title than that, for that anal-retentive control freak.”
Tonight, Ted had quickly deflected any talk about Danica’s job. It’s what he always did since he obviously thought very little of her part-time retail job. It wasn’t even worth discussing. In fact, she was sure he was embarrassed whenever anyone happened to ask her about it. If whomever she was speaking to about her job didn’t already know, he’d make sure to slip in the fact that it was only a part-time and temporary job while she took her online classes. Because both Danica and one of the other women had to work early in the morning, they were out of there early. They said their good-byes and all of them headed out. “Give me your keys,” Ted said, reaching out his hand to her as they made their way through the parking lot.
“We’re leaving your car here?”
“No. I took a Lyft to get here. I knew we’d be drinking, and last thing you need is to get pulled over while under the influence.”
Danica didn’t bother arguing that he’d been drinking also because she already knew what he’d say: that he was bigger and therefore could handle more liquor than she could. In tonight’s case, he’d be even more accurate since he’d only had a few light beers as opposed to the stronger margaritas she’d had. Though she felt fine, she actually agreed with him on this. No way should she be taking any chances, so she handed the keys over without further comment. As they got in the car and Ted adjusted the driver’s-side seat to his height, Danica didn’t miss the subtle but very thorough way he inspected her car. He glanced down at her cleavage, his jaw instantly tightening as he looked into the rearview mirror. “Babe, you know I love all your assets. But out in public, less is always better. Do you always have to wear those kinds of tops?”
Danica glanced out the window, rolling her eyes. “You have an issue with everything I ever wear, Ted. Unless it’s a grandma style. I told you already I’m not dressing like an old vieja just because it’d make you more comfortable. I can only dress like a young woman while I’m still young. I can’t help it if my assets pop out more than most.”
Ted turned on the car and pulled out of the parking space “You’re twenty-three, Danica. You still have plenty of time to dress young, and you don’t have to dress like an old vieja. I’m just saying that’s a lot of cleavage to put out there.”
“It’s a normal top I bought at the mall, and it’s my size. Even when I wear a T-shirt and jeans, you complain about them.”
“Because there’s no need to wear clothes so tight.”
“They’re not tight,” Danica said, starting to get annoyed. “I should know. I’m the one wearing them. I have a big ass and big tits, Ted. Until I lose some weight, I can’t hide that fact unless I wear an old lady muumuu, and that’s not happening. So, you’re gonna have to just deal with it.”
Wisely, Ted stopped while he was ahead and said nothing more about it. Danica was sure he’d noticed how lately her patience for his ass was wearing thin a lot faster than normal. Now that she might even have an out, she wasn’t sure how much longer she could put up with him. Ted drove silently instead of continuing to bitch about her clothes, no doubt stewing as he stared ahead, until he glanced around her car again, finishing his earlier inspection. He took in the two empty Starbucks cups in her cup holder. One inside the other. “Who’d you have coffee with?” He adjusted the rearview mirror as if his question was just a curious one.
But Danica knew better. She pulled her seatbelt on. “I didn’t. One’s from yesterday. I just hadn’t thrown it out yet.” Before he could make a comment about how expensive that could get, she added, “I still have that gift card you gave me for my birthday.”
“That’s right you did go to Starbucks yesterday.” They started onto the street when