“So, what’s this story?” Presley asked.
I groaned. “Dice wanted to propose to Daphne before London was born, but London decided to arrive the day he was planning to do it. When they got to the hospital, Dice got sick and had to have his appendix removed. After his surgery, he still wanted to propose, so I got down on one knee and presented the ring to Daphne while he asked the question.”
“That’s really sweet,” Presley said.
“That’s what I’m saying, but these two bring it up every chance they get.”
“We wouldn’t tease you if we didn’t like you,” Walter said. “I heard you and my daughter had an interesting evening last night.”
I laughed. “She got the shit end of that stick.” Even though most of the people at the table already knew what happened, I told the story again anyway.
“How is London today?” Presley asked.
“She’s better,” Dice said. “Daphne took her to the doctor this morning, and they said it was probably a virus. She’s been a little cranky and really clingy, but she hasn’t thrown up or had any other explosive incidents.”
The conversation died down when Evie arrived with our food. It was always like that at Irene’s. The food was too good to waste time talking.
As we were leaving the diner, Presley asked a question that made me pause. “Do police officers have codes to override home alarm systems like they do for gated neighborhoods?”
“No, they don’t. At least not with any of Judge’s systems,” I said and chose my next words carefully. “Is there a reason you’re asking?”
“Yeah. That detective made me uncomfortable,” she admitted, far easier than I expected.
I made a show of yawning. “You know, it’s been a long day, and I’m pretty tired. Maybe I could take a short nap on your couch before going home.”
Presley quietly chuckled to herself. “If you’re that tired, you might as well just spend the night.”
“Is that an invitation? I don’t want to impose or be accused of inviting myself over.”
“What do you think, Ariel? Should we let Ink crash on the couch?”
“I don’t think we should let him crash on his way home, if that’s what you’re asking,” Ariel said. At Presley’s gasp of surprise, Ariel added, “See. I listen to your safety talks.”
“Clearly, I forgot to mention the part about not using my wisdom against me,” Presley said.
“Oh, look. We’re home,” Ariel said, pretending to ignore Presley’s last words.
“Are you really ready to go to bed?” Ariel asked once we were inside.
“I’m not sure how to answer,” I said. “This feels like it could be a setup.”
“It might be,” she said.
“How so?”
Presley looked at her daughter. “What are you thinking?”
Ariel responded with, “Mrrrow!”
“Yes!” Presley shouted and clapped her hands together.
“Will you watchDon’t Fuck With Catswith us?” they asked in unison, which was borderline creepy.
“What happens if I say yes?”
“You have to watch the entire documentary,” Presley said.
“And?”
