… kinda waiting out in the car. See, I thought there might be a chance that Maggie’s mom would be … at least marginally cool.”
Arlene had laced her fingers with Jack’s, and she smiled now. “Go and get her. And tell her that Maggie—and I—will be very happy to see her.”
Mike nodded. “I can’t stay tonight,” he said. “I wish I could, but … I made a promise I have to keep. If you’re serious about dinner, just tell Lizzie when, and … I’ll be there.”
Arlene nodded. “Sunday.”
“Or Monday,” Jack interjected.
Arlene laughed as she looked at him. “Or, apparently, Monday.”
As Mike headed toward the stairs, Arlene murmured to Jack, “Really?”
Jules turned to look over the rail and to watch the game that had started below. Maggie and Robin were kicking ass as their opponents shrieked and laughed.
“I’m still holding out for Vegas,” Jack murmured back, as Jules tried not to listen. He wasn’t exactly sure what they were talking about, but it didn’t take much imagination to guess. “I’m giving you twenty-four more hours.”
She laughed again. “I’m not going to Vegas, Jack. Not after you just tipped your hand.”
“I’m a terrible negotiator,” he agreed. “But I do believe miracles happen every day, and that I’m due for one.” He kissed her and changed the subject as he tugged her over to the railing so that they, too, could look down at the action. “So. Mike Milton. A lot less scary than he looks. But definitely damaged goods.”
“I have boys just like him in my unit,” Arlene said. “Just dying for a little respect, and for someone to treat them decently.” She looked up at Jack. “And yet …”
“Good cop, bad cop,” he told her. “You can deliver the respect and decency. I will pull him aside and let him know that we have a one-strike policy—and that if he touches Maggie inappropriately, I will not hesitate to cut off his balls.”
The game ended with the sound of a buzzer, and the door to the playing arena opened.
“Lizzie!” Maggie squealed as the other girl launched herself into the room, and they hugged as if they hadn’t seen each other in five years, as Robin unhooked himself from the harness.
Mike stepped in through the door, too, and Maggie went running toward him. He glanced up at Jules, Arlene, and Jack.
“Yes, we are watching you, bucko,” Arlene said quietly, even though she was smiling down at him.
He was not a stupid kid. He was well aware. He was also carrying something that he held out to Maggie. When she took it, Jules saw that it was a graphic novel. One of the X-Men anthologies.
Maggie was thrilled. As Mike spoke to her, she hugged the book to her chest and hung on his every word.
“Look at how she looks at him,” Arlene murmured. “God help us.” Jack laughed. “Look at how hard he’s trying to be cool.”
Lizzie came over and tried to pull Maggie away, and Mike laughed. He ruffled his sister’s hair, and then did the same to Maggie’s before he turned to leave. He looked back, though, right before he went out through the door, and it was clear that he would rather have stayed.
“Gotta love a kid who keeps his promises,” Jules pointed out.
“To his fellow gang members?” Arlene wondered aloud. “To his drug dealer? To his pregnant girlfriend?” Jack laughed again. “We’ll ask him at dinner.”
“On Monday,” she said.
His smile grew broader. “On Monday,” he agreed, pulling her close, as Jules escaped downstairs.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Maggie’s hands were as big as Arlene’s.
It shouldn’t have been a shock because she was now taller than Arlene, too.
And yet …
Maggie had gotten a green plastic signet-type ring with the face of a leprechaun imprinted on it out of what looked like a giant bubble-gum dispenser. She had been hoping to get the ring that had the head of the not-very-Johnny-Depp-ish pirate, but immediately announced that this was much better. And it became a whole, big, hilarious thing—whoever was deemed the all-star in the current round of Pairs got to wear the ridiculous ring.
And so it passed from hand to hand.
Arlene had had possession of it for a few brief moments before the pizza arrived.
“This actually fits you? On your ring finger?” she asked Maggie as she slipped it on. It fit her perfectly.
Her daughter cheerfully replied, “It’s a little tight.”
And somehow Jack knew what Arlene was thinking and feeling, because he put his arms around her and gave her a hug, which was comforting and