"No, but it's coming," Hartshorn said, scowling at the CharlesRiver.
"I like October in this city," I said with a hint of hesitation. I hadn't stopped to note my previous Octobers, but I was enjoyingthisone.
"Dude, you gotta lighten the fuck up," Nick chided. "We can't have your storm cloud hanging over us on a fine day liketoday."
"You'll be saying that until your wife is off on another research mission or business trip," Hartshorn replied. "At which point, you'll revert back to yourirritableways."
Ignoring their exchange, I pulled my phone from mypocket.
Alex:Do you want to know how busy my dayhasbeen?
Riley:As long as it doesn't involve discussing innards andentrails,yes.
Alex:I just sat down for thefirsttime.
Riley:Seriously? It's almost2:30.
Alex:Yep, and I'm telling you this because my assissore.
"Agree with me, Emmerling,"Nick said. "Tell Hartshorn he's lost hisdamnmind."
I glanced up from my phone, my gaze swiveling between them. "Whathappened?"
Nick motioned to Hartshorn. "He's metalady."
"That's great," I said. "What's theproblem?"
"Perhaps saying Hartshorn hasmeta lady is a stretch," Nick continued, "given that he hasn't spoken toheryet."
"Then talk to her," I said impatiently. "What's stopping you? Just go up to her and say,Hey, I'm Cal. I'm disease-free and financially stable, and I think you're a cool chick. Can I buy you dinner?That's it. That's all you needtosay."
"Really? That's all women need to hear?" Hartshorn asked, squinting at me. "That seems remarkablysimple."
"You won't know if it works until you talk to her,"Isaid.
"The worst thing that can happen is she turns you down," Nickadded.
"Says the guy who married his wife the same night he met her," Hartshornmuttered.
"That had nothing to do with me," Nick replied. "It was all Erin, and the boat and the planets and the lobsterman who officiated in hissparetime."
Confused, I leaned forward and studied Hartshorn. "Do you not realize you're a decent catch?" I asked. "You have a lot going for you. Whoever she is, she'd be lucky to have dinnerwithyou."
Hartshorn didn't reply, instead shrugging and rolling his eyes at his sandwich. I took that as an invitation to peek at the messages flashing across myscreen.
Riley:Ah. Yeah. About that…sorry. For what it's worth, I've beenthere.
Riley:I feel it's my duty to tell you that spanking hurts but caning hurtssubstantiallymore.
Alex:Is this a dungeonstory?
Riley:Yes.
Alex:I'm going to require more explanation ofallthat.
Riley:We'llsee.
Alex:You have photos of my vagina on yourphone.
