"Bull shit." I call.
Caroline pops her hip to the side and plants her fist there. "What do you mean?"
"I call B.S., there’s another reason."
"Nope." She says but her voice is too tight.
I reach across and grab the roll of liner out of her hand and hold it over my head. "Tell me or I toss this." I threaten.
She’s unimpressed. "Duncan, I wrangle an infant, a toddler, and my own hockey playing husband every day. You cannot taunt me into admitting something."
"Ah-ha! So you have something to admit!"
"No." She looks to the girls for back up. "I didn’t admit anything!"
"Well," Harper leans her head side to side. "Not really."
"English isn’t my first language." Ivanna says in perfect English.
"Fine, don’t tell me, but then you have to let it drop. I’m just getting my kitchen outfitted in a more grown-up way."
"Fine." Caroline agrees.
We all go back to our tasks and my phone rings.
Remember, You Started Thisis calling.
"I’ll be right back." I say as I grab my phone and head towards the balcony. With the door closed tightly behind me I swipe to answer.
"Hey Charming!"
"Hey. What are you up to?"
"Just some organizing." I say as I glance over my shoulder and see all three girls huddled together staring at me. They break apart quickly and look in every direction but mine.
Lovable goofballs.
"How much more do you have to do?" He asks.
"Not much." At least I hope not.
"Good, because I just landed in D.C." He says with a little squeak of excitement to his voice.
"What? Be serious."
"I am. Turns out I didn’t need three days to regroup from the last festival. I got home last night, packed up a bag, and hopped on a plane this morning." He sounds so excited.
There’s a pause. All I’m thinking about is how I get to see him three days earlier than I was expecting. My body flickers to life. Awareness flooding my veins like the whistle before a puck drop.
"Is that okay?" His question is soft and timid so I rush to answer.
"Of course it is! I’m so excited. Sorry, I was just fantasizing about how to have you first."
He laughs. "Flirt."
"Naturally."
"Alright, well, I’ll be there in about forty-five minutes."
