Her lips are wrapped around a delicate finger, licking the sticky glaze clean.
Surely, I’m developing brain damage, considering how often my blood seems to flow rapidly away from there.Closing my eyes, I count to ten and silently recite a Hail Mary before clearing my throat.“So, what brings you in today?I can’t say this is normal, just stopping by.”
“Hmm…” She pops her finger out of her mouth and tilts her head back and forth.“I wanted to see what your weekend looked like.See if you wanted to, um…watch a movie…or hang out?”
“Addie, are you asking if I want to Netflix and chill?”
19
“If there’s a sock on my doorknob, don’t come in.It means I’m having sex.”
“Yeah, probably with the other one.”
Adelaide
Finn ends up working all weekend, covering for the new guy.There’s no way he can work with the twenty or so stitches in his hand and all the bandages.
Really, it’s okay.I have my crazy client’s website to completely redo.Again.So, I spend my weekend working on that, cleaning my apartment, and stroking my wiener.And reading.
But, when Finn has a lull at the bar, we text.All the texts.I’ve never really done this.It’s a little like peopling but not.Flirting with a filter—I can handle that.
Late Monday afternoon, my phone pings and vibrates while I’m hooking Eric up to his leash.My doxie is not big by any means, but he is a mighty little dick when properly motivated.He pulls and tugs his way down the sidewalk until he sniffs every tree, rock, and blade of grass, looking for the one that is magically just right.
I scramble to keep hold of the leash while checking my new message and trying not to drop my phone.Surprisingly, it’s a lot to handle.
Finn: Are you still in your meeting?
Me: Nope.
The dots bounce for just a second, and then his number pops up with an incoming call.It’s so weird to actually talk on the phone, and my skin feels itchy and tight as I hit the green button, answering, “Hey.”
“Hi.How’s your day?You met with a new client?”
“Yeah, someone Aidan referred.Um, it sounds like they want to work with me, so that’s good.”None of my calm and snark works on the phone.I feel put on the spot and stumble over my words.
“Excellent.Done enough of a deal to celebrate it?”
“Yeah.I thought—aren’t you working tonight?”
“I plan on getting off and buying you breakfast,” Finn responds.I can practically hear him wink with his comment.
“When and where should I meet you for food?”This is getting easier.I bite my lip and check to see if Eric is done yet.
“I might need a nap after, so eleven o’clock?And where depends on what you’re up for.”
“Who has good sausage?”
Finn’s groan turns to a chuckle, and he mentions a diner not far from the community center.
“M’kay.I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say and end the call.
Kneeling down, I scoop Eric’s tiny poop into a bright-green bag and chuck it in the nearest trash can.“Let’s go, man.”
* * *
Breakfast lastsuntil well after noon with countless cups of coffee, a shared order of sausage, and ridiculous amounts of flirting.I really didn’t even know I had it in me to flirt.Usually, I stick with prickly bitch.It works for me.
“Here.”I pull some cash out to cover the bill.
