Page 54 (1/2)

“Why?”

“Bryce and I have decided to get married that day”

“So?” I said, just to be difficult

“Dex, come on I want the kids there”

“I thought you were getting married next summer”

“We decided we didn’t want to wait” She frowned at me “And what do you care?”

“I don’t You two can get ive up one of hts with my kids?”

“Really, Dexter?” She tilted her head “You can’t do ht?”

I crossed my arms over my chest “That’s not what this is about It’s about respecting the time I have with them—and you don’t”

Her expression softened, and she nodded “I’ll try to be better about that”

“Noup on s need to be done When they’re with me, they’re mine”

She took a breath, briefly closing her eyes “Okay”

“Seriously? Okay?” I wasn’t sure I believed her “If I say yes to the wedding day, nofrom afar?”

“You have my word” She held out a pinky and offered a tentative smile

Reluctantly, I hooked ood tier in ”

“I know you are” She tucked her hands into her back pockets “And they’re so crazy about you Honestly, it gets to me I have to be the et flu shots and school shoes and teeth cleanings, and you take the and fire station visits”

“So give me some of those responsibilities, Naomi,” I said “I can handle them Sometimes I feel like you hoard all that shit just so you can complain about me”

She nodded “Okay I’ll o fifty-fifty on that stuff”

“Good” Idonut every once in a while It won’t kill them”

Laughing, she shook her head, her eyes wandering over my body “I don’t understand how you eat that way and stay so fit It’s not fair”

“Have a good weekend,” I said, opening the driver’s side door

“What are you going to do with them?” she asked

I gave her a warning look, and she put her hands up

“I’”

“I’ht take the”

She looked surprised “I didn’t know they had horseback riding there”

“I don’t think it’s open to the public Winnie invited us She works there”

“Winnie invited us where?” Hallie said, who’d couin in the other