Other Side of the Wall by Jennifer Peel Read Free Book Online Page A

and I made my way to the front row of the amphitheater-type
seating. I sat and kept my focus on Scott. He frequently glanced my way and
smiled. Just as I was feeling better, Peter decided it was a good idea to sit
behind me.
    He
leaned forward. “Ciao Bellissima.”
    His
Italian and compliments no longer charmed me. I rolled my eyes. “Hi.”
    “I’m
surprised to see you with our married neighbor, Ava,” he whispered in my ear.
    I
turned around to face the jerk. “Not that it’s any of your business, but his
wife passed away several months ago and we’re just friends and there is no ‘our’
anymore.”
    He
smirked. I hated when he did that.
    “You
didn’t look like just friends.”
    “The
man misses his wife Peter.”
    He
touched my cheek, and I turned away.
    “I
miss my wife too.”
    “I’m
not your wife.”
    Before
Peter could disagree, Daniel came bounding up as obnoxious and loud as ever.
    “Say
hi to your aunt, Daniel,” Peter said.
    “My
mom says she’s not my aunt anymore,” Daniel responded.
    That
was fine with me, but I did say hi to him and told him he was getting big and
handsome. Then I promptly turned around and ignored them both. Scott looked my
way and smiled before he began. I winked at him. Surprisingly, he winked back. But
I noticed the glare directed above me. I didn’t have to guess who that was for.
    Scott’s
presentation went off without a hitch. He really was amazing. The kids were eating
out of the palm of his hand. I tried to soak in as much as possible, in case he
quizzed me later. Every time we were together I seemed to learn something new.
It was like going to college, but a lot more fun and a lot less expensive. The
only drawback today was the idiotic comments being made under his breath by
Peter. Sometimes he felt the need to lean up and whisper them in my ear. I
ignored him, hoping he would get the hint and leave me alone.
    Scott
saved me, though, at the end. “I have someone I would like to thank today for
helping me.” He came out to the audience and asked me to stand. He told
everyone my name, and if I wasn’t mistaken, he emphasized my last name of
Elliot; he directly looked at Peter when he said it. He explained that I had
helped him with the graphics and the handouts, which I had, but I didn’t expect
public acknowledgement. Embarrassedly, he asked everyone to give me a round of
applause. Then he asked me to come to the front and help him pass out the
handouts we had worked on together. I sneaked a peek at Peter, and he was
fuming.
    I
still didn’t get him. We were divorced, but when we were married, he didn’t
seem to want me. Why did he want me back now? It didn’t matter; I didn’t want
him, I wanted someone else I couldn’t have.
    I
helped Scott pass out the handouts, and several kids wanted to talk to Scott
about the presentation and his job. Being a marine biologist was apparently
pretty neat stuff. I was actually in total agreement. While Scott was detained
by his little fans, Peter took that as his opportunity to try and engage me in
conversation.
    “Ava,
I’ve missed you.”
    He
was like a broken record. I just shook my head.
    “Are
you seeing anybody?”
    “That’s
none of your concern, Peter.”
    “Just
so you know, I’m not seeing anyone and I would love it if you would agree to
just go on one date with me.”
    I
tried to keep my anger in check. “You know who you should be seeing?” I
whispered.
    He
smiled. “You.”
    “No.
You should be seeing your daughter, Gia.”
    His
face turned red, and I knew he was upset, but he was trying to keep his
composure. He couldn’t even speak.  
    No
matter.  “Stacy and Gia came to see me several weeks ago.”
    Peter
swore and called Stacy something I will not repeat.
    “Peter,
she’s the mother of your child and she deserves your support and respect.”
    “I
take care of Gia.”
    “No,
you send a check, there’s a difference. You know she looks just like you.”
    His
features softened a