MOM!Harper screeches from the living room.UNCLE SIDNEY TOTALLY HAS A CRUSH ON THE DOCTOR!
My soul leaves my body.
Slowly.Sooo slowly, her gaze slides back to my face, eyes wide, mouth curled into a deadly smirk.
Oh,she says.Ohhhh.Interesting.
No.I point toward the living room as if that will magically erase the words that just detonated my dignity.That’s not true.We’re not—she’s confused.She’s absolutely confused.
MOOOOOOM!Harper shouts again.HE WAS ALL NERVOUS AND WEIRD AND HE STOPPED TALKING AND GOT ALL RED IN THE FACE!LIKE WHEN HE EATS SOMETHING SPICY.
Dani leans her hip against the counter, folding her arms.Stopped talking, huh.The smug look on her face makes me feel all of five again.She’s liking this a little too much.
I was not red in the face.
Uh-huh.
It was hot in there.And I was under a lot of pressure!
She lifts one brow.I bet.
MOM!Harper yells.HE MADE THE HEART EYES!
I cover my face with both hands.Please make her stop.
Absolutely not.
And why is your daughter screaming when she’s a room away?
Dani’s smile is so large it looks maniacal.The evil, delighted kind she gets when she knows she has leverage for the next thirty years.That’s her inside voice.She doesn’t know another level.
Jesus Christ,I mutter to myself as I drag a hand down my face.
So,she says casually,tell me about this doctor.
She wasn’t a doctor,I interject, realizing my mistake immediately.At least I don’t think she was.And there’s nothing to tell.
Does she have a name?
Everyone has a name.
Is she pretty?
I didn’t notice.
UNCLE SID WAS BLUSHING,Harper announces proudly from her nest of blankets.
Come on, Moose.Where’s your loyalty?
Dani snorts.Blushing, huh?
I wasn’t—I stop.Change tactics.Shouldn’t we be focusing on your daughter?The injured one?
Mm-hmm,Dani says breezily, pushing off the counter.We will.Right after you explain your budding crush and how your nine-year-old niece noticed before you did.
That isn’t—I didn’t—God, why can’t I put sentences together today?
Dani pats my cheek as she breezes past me toward the living room.Oh, Sidney.I’ve waited years for this.
