“Date of birth?”
I recite the information he needs because if I don’t, he’ll waste time looking for it himself.
“She’s a journalist,” he points out.
“A travel blogger, mainly.”
“Her family lives a state over. Oh wait. Did you know she has a boyfriend?”
“They broke up.”
I watch Lake point up at a flock of birds. It’ll probably rain. The birds sense the rain while we’re under cloudy skies.
“You think she told him she’s with you?”
“Forget him.”
“I need a minute to grab Val’s software and hack his phone. Hold tight.”
Lake waves, and I wave back, then turn away from them. “Don’t hack his phone,” I hiss into the speaker. When Miro doesn’t answer, I curse.
A minute later, Miro laughs. “There’s a dick pic on his phone. Sent yesterday from Paris. Wait, you sent this?”
I don’t answer.
“You sent it. This is your dick inside her mouth. And you sent it to her ex-boyfriend.”
“And?”
“And this isn’t like you, Alessio. You do not measure dicks with anyone. Your dick is always bigger, and you know it.”
“Well, he kept calling her, and I couldn’t have you off him, could I?”
“No, but I could look into him.”
“Look into the arms dealer. Leave the governess alone. It’s just someone I’m fucking. A phase that will pass.” I turn to head toward the restaurant, but almost run into Lake and Leo, who are standing right behind me.
Lake tucks her hair behind her ear. “They’re putting away the outside tables. There’s a storm coming. Here.” She hands me a paper bag but won’t meet my eyes. “Your lunch.”
Leo tugs on her hand. “Come on, Lake. He can eat alone.”
The pair of them march across the square. Lake’s arm rises, and she lifts her middle finger.
What did I do?
THIRTY-THREE
HE’S WET
Lake
Leo and I had a late lunch, which means we disrupted Leo’s routine. Tired from walking around the square for hours before we sat down and ate carbs, Leo throws himself on his bed. I cover him with a blanket.
“You weren’t supposed to hear that,” I tell him.
“I know,” Leo says. “I’m sorry my uncle is a dick sometimes. Or oftentimes.”
“Leo,” I warn about his potty mouth.
