Author's Note:
This is a chapter that is all new. I look forward to reading some new reviews(that aren't flames).
Chapter Thirty-Seven
"So this is how you're going to treat me on weekends when dad is away on business?" Stephanie said as they ate their ice cream. "Or is there another reason for a trip to my favorite ice cream shop?"
"Do I have to have an ulterior motive for taking my daughter out for ice cream?" Rayburn said innocently.
"You gave me an iTunes card and then dad got me the newest iPhone, I know how the game is played."
"So you expect dad to buy you an ice cream shop the next time you see him?" Rayburn said and caught herself. "Sorry, your dad loves you very much and we both have different ways of showing it."
Stephanie grinned. "The divorce agreement has been finalized. You won. You can make a few nasty remarks at dad's expense I won't rat you out."
Rayburn sighed. "You tweens and your changing personalities. What am I going to do about it?"
"Keep a bottle of whiskey in your desk?" Stephanie said.
Rayburn rolled her eyes and Stephanie laughed.
"So out with it mom, what is this all about?"
Rayburn bit her lip. "Do you remember Jenna Reid? The girl you fought with?"
"Yeah, kind of hard to forget," she said.
"I was in a very brief relationship with her father a four months ago," she said more loudly than intended.
Stephanie carefully licked her spoon. A grin slowly formed.
"So you were having sex Mr. Reid when I was away at dad and Talia's?"
"You make it sound so, so crass when you put it that way, but yes we were intimately involved and we also talked and shared our frustrations over raising two strong girls."
"So what made you end it?" she asked.
"We both came to our senses," she said. "Dating him wouldn't look good while I was refiling for custody of you and Mr. Reid found someone else more suitable."
"Suitable how?"
"How are you not freaking out about all this?" Rayburn said.
"I didn't know you had a wild side and plus Mr. Reid is kind of cute."
"And Jenna?"
"The fighting was stupid and we both knew it. Now tell me, how this woman was better than you mom?"
"Their daughters are best friends and I think she works at the Smithsonian."
"You work for the FBI!"
"In the recruiting office, and he used to be an agent," she said. "I was also his first relationship since his wife died of a stroke six years ago."
"You were his rebound."
"In a sense, yes" she said. "Though I hate to call it that."
"So why are you telling me this now?"
"I can't stop thinking about him. I miss him and I think I want to try another relationship with him."
"How does his current girlfriend feel about all this?" she said with a grin.
"That part is complicated. So you are not angry at me over wanting to date the father of the girl who hit you?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "I hit her back and this looks interesting and no offense mom, but you're never interesting."
"Offense taken. You just don't share my same interests."
"You like Barbies more than me. So what is your next move?"
"I honestly don't know."