Chapter 263
Garth walked over and took Mamie’s hand, surprising her out of her daze.
Scott frowned. “Garth, that’s not polite p>
Mamie finally snapped back to reality. “No, really, Garth’s fine. Don’t be so hard on him p>
Ever since she found out she had a son, Mamie couldn’t help but look at Garth with softer eyes. He wasn’t her child, but if her own baby were still here, he might have been just as bright, healthy, and adorable as Garth.
Garth shot his dad a look. “See, Dad? Mamie says don’t be mean to me p>
He tugged on Mamie’s arm. “Come eat with us, Mamie. My treat! I’ve got money, see p>
He wiggled his wrist, showing off his smartwatch like it was the world’s greatest treasure.
Mamie knew she should say no. She was too rattled to deal with Scott right now, especially after she’d just told him she couldn’t pretend to be his girlfriend anymore, ending whatever weird arrangement they’d had. But the words just wouldn’t come out. She kept looking at Garth, and her refusal faded away before she could say it. “Alright, I’ll treat you,” she said instead.
Garth’s eyes lit up, his grin stretching wide. “Yay! Let’s go. Mamie, you can ride with us p>
Mamie shook her head, smiling. “You pick the restaurant and send me the location, or I’ll just follow your car. I drove today p>
Scott, who hadn’t said much, spoke up. “Let Aaron drive your car. You can ride with me and Garth p>
Garth felt like his dad almost forgot to include him until the very last second.
“Okay, that works,” Mamie replied, not pushing back.
Garth was practically bouncing with excitement. This meant he could sit in the back with Mamie and tell her all his secrets.
As soon as they got in the car, he pulled out a folder and waved his homework in front of her Mamie look, I got an A-plus! Ami awesome goran
or what? And I just got this award for being a star student p>
Mamie glanced at his neat handwriting and couldn’t help but be impressed. Garth must be one of the top kids in his class. He just seemed like that kind of student.
“Wow, Garth, you’re amazing. Does your teacher brag about you all the time p>
Garth squirmed, suddenly a little shy. “Not all the time… just maybe five days a week p>
Scott gave a little snort from up front. “Garth, don’t exaggerate. I never taught you to lie p>
Garth’s cheeks turned pink. “Mamie, okay, maybe three days. But really, three days p>
He kept going, showing Mamie his drawings, crafts, even photos he’d taken of the sunrise. One by one, he held them up for her to see.
Mamie noticed that even if Scott didn’t spend a lot of time with his son, Garth was still growing up into such a good kid. Maybe it was just in his blood.
Suddenly, memories of her own lost child hit her, and she felt her throat tighten, her nose burning.
Garth blinked those big, curious eyes. “Mamie, are you okay? Did I do something wrong p>
Mamie shook her head and gently ruffled his hair. “No, sweetheart. I’m just really happy for you p>
“Thanks, Mamie,” he said, grinning.
Scott caught Mamie’s expression in the rearview mirror, watching her a little longer. Was she remembering something? Was she about to ory? He couldn’t quite tell, but she didn’t seem like she’d gotten all he memories back.
During dinner, Garth never stopped talking. His constant chatter kept things light,
making it way less awkward between Mamie and Scott.
The truth was, Mamie barely spoke
to Scott at all. When dinner was over and Mamie drove away, Garth turned to his dad and umb
“Dad, you think Mamie dumped you? I feel like she likes me way more than she likes you p>