GRIFF
The sheer reliefon Phil’s face makes me want to hunt down every single person who treated him like shit. Especially if they were people who knew better.
But I’m pretty sure me making a big deal about it will just upset him, so I keep that thought to myself and inwardly hope one of them happens to cross my path in the future. Maybe Calla’s got a list of names. She seems like the type who’d appreciate my thirst for vengeance.
Once Phil and I settle at the table, Vivi loses interest and wanders off. I’m super strict about not feeding her from the table—though less strict about feeding her from my plate when I eat in front of the TV—so she knows she’s not getting any food while we eat.
“This is good,” Phil says after the first mouthful. “Especially for a quick weeknight meal. I’m jealous of your skills.”
Pleasure settles inside me. “I’ll cook for you anytime,” I promise. It wouldn’t make me mad if he came over every night… and stayed for breakfast.
He turns slightly pink, which delights me. Is he thinking the same thing I am? I hope so. Clearing his throat, he says, “So…am I going to be lucky enough to hear your nephew sing to Vivi tonight?”
I snort. “You may change your mind about it being lucky, but yeah. In about twenty minutes or so, probably.”
“This will sound weird, but I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t been around little kids since I was one, but they’re cute on TV.”
My laugh is so unexpected that I choke on food and barely avoid spraying it all over the table. Phil leaps up to thwack me on the back as I cough and splutter to clear my airway. It’s a minute before I’m breathing more or less normally again, and I look up with watery eyes at his worried face.
“I’m so,sosorry,” he starts, but I wave him off.
“You didn’t do anything wrong, sweetheart.” I freeze. The endearment slipped out unplanned, and I’m not sure how he feels about them. Is it too early in our relationship? It’s our first date, and we’ve barely even kissed. Even if those kisses were phenomenal.
“I like that,” he murmurs. “Though, just so you know, I’m not that sweet.” The wicked glance he gives me as he goes back to his seat leaves me in no doubt about his meaning.
“Lucky me.”
My phone ringsjust as we’re getting up to clear the plates, and Vivi comes racing in. Pavlov would be thrilled to witness her reaction. I let her jump up onto one of the kitchen chairs and set my phone on the table so she and Carter can do their thing and Phil can listen in while I wash up. From his wide grin, he thinks it’s adorable—though his wince when Carter gets particularlyoff-key assures me that his opinion of my nephew’s singing skills aligns with mine.
After a minute, he comes over to the sink, picks up a dish towel, and begins drying the wok I just washed. I give him a stern frown and shake my head, but I guess I no longer intimidate him in any way, because he just blows me a kiss and gets on with it. Can’t say I’m sad about that.
Finally, Carter finishes his song, which I swear must be a deluxe extended version because it seems to go on forever, and declares, “Night, Uncle Griff! Mom wants to talk to you.”
“Night, buddy.” I turn off the tap and go grab my phone.
“Griff?” Penny says.
“Hey, Pen. You’re on speaker—say hi to Phil.”
“Hello,” Phil calls.
“Hi, uh… Phil. It’s nice to meet you.” Penny sounds a little uncertain and a little excited. She always wants to know if I’ve met anyone, or even if I’ve been going out and socializing. My baby sister is the world’s worst worrywart.
“Likewise,” Phil tells her. “Vivi and your son have a very cute routine going.”
Penny laughs. “Oh my god, they so do. Carter couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, but it’s still the sweetest thing ever. I hope he didn’t interrupt your evening.”
Hah. I know a fishing expedition when I hear it, so I answer before Phil can, “It’s still early. What can I do for you, Pen? Do you need me to go into the other room?”
“No, I just wanted to remind you about Christmas. Are you going to stay with your friend?”
“I booked a hotel so Vivi and I can relax and not worry about needing to be good guests.” It ended up being a splurge, but I’m not sorry. I could have found something cheaper, but I don’t usually live large, and I like the idea of doing something a little special for the holidays.
“A hotel? Oh, but?—”
“That’s what I want, Penny. I’m looking forward to it.” I make my voice firm so she knows I’m not going to argue about it, and my reward is a sigh.
“Fine, I guess. Phil, are you doing anything fun for the holidays?”
