I pulled the door open and immediately knew I was fucked.
Tony’s eyes went down to my chest and he said with a scowl, “With God as my witness, I should punch you where you stand, kid.”
“What?” I looked down and shit, shit,shiiiit.
My shirt was inside out.
I’d literally put on my shirt inside out.
“Oh my God, Dad,” Duffy said, walking out behind me. “Calm down.”
“Don’t ‘ohmigod calm down’ me, young lady,” he said. “Look at your damned boyfriend.”
Duffy looked at me, her eyes dipping to my shirt, and she snort-giggled.
“I’m sorry, Tony,” I said, feeling like a teenager who was about to be destroyed. “We were at the paintball range and I turned my shirt inside out so I wouldn’t get paint in my car. I know this probably looks bad…” I pulled my shirt a bit to show him the neon paint as if to prove it.
I was the worst liar, and Duffy kept shaking her head like I was pathetic, but praise God, Tony bought it.
“Ah,” her dad said, instantly relaxed and smiling. He nodded and gave my arm a pat. “That explains it. You want a beer, Cunningham?”
30
Duffy
The next week was a dream that started with Connor setting up a surprise picnic lunch.
But not the boring kind of picnic lunch you’d see in a movie.
My Connor would never.
I was at the office when he texted:What’re you doing for lunch today?
I glanced at my watch and was surprised to see it was already eleven thirty. I’d been so focused that I hadn’t realized lunch was on the horizon, which was weird when I was the type of person who usually started anticipating lunch by around nine thirty, ten at the latest.
I brought leftover pizza and plan to inhale it at my desk, probably in the next five minutes. You?
Connor:If you can swing it, I have a plan that includes sliders and fries.
I leaned forward in my chair.I can swing almost ANYTHING if it ends with sliders and fries. Talk to me, Cunningham.
Connor:Are you free now?
I replied:This very minute?
Connor:Affirmative
“You’re adorable,” I heard, and when I looked up, Ellie was walking toward me with a huge muffin in her hand. She was wearing high heels with electric-blue joggers and a ruffly pirate blouse, which would make me look like a clown, but she somehow looked ridiculously cool. “That has to be Mr. Football texting you—either that or you’re in love with your phone.”
I shrugged and didn’t even try to hide my smile. I mean, I don’t think it was possible to make it go away, to be honest; I was too happy right now.
“This phone is my world, El,” I said with a giggle. “What can I say?”
“Okay, now I want to throw up because you’retoosmitten.” She rolled her eyes but was grinning as she went back to her desk.
I returned to my phone and texted:Yes I’m free. AFFIRMATIVE.
Connor:Then come on down. I’m outside your building, by the fountain.
