Ichange my shirt three times.
This is ridiculous. I’m a grown man. I’ve played hockey in front of twenty thousand screaming fans—sick, injured, and I’ve given post-game interviews with blood drying on my face. I’ve handled custody negotiations, contract disputes, and a six-year-old’s meltdown over the wrong color popsicle.
But somehow, getting dressed for a date with Tori Wells has me standing in front of my closet like a teenager before prom.
“Daddy, you look handsome.”
I turn to find Maisie in my doorway, already in her pajamas even though it’s only 6:30. Hannah’s downstairs getting dinner ready, and Maze is supposed to be washing her hands, but apparently my fashion crisis is more interesting.
“You think so?”
“Mm-hmm.” She walks over and studies me with the critical eye of a six-year-old fashion consultant. “But maybe not that shirt.”
“What’s wrong with this shirt?”
“It’s boring.”
“It’s navy blue. Navy blue is classic.”
“It’s boring,” she repeats, then marches to my closet and starts rifling through hangers. After a moment, she pulls out a dark green button-down I forgot I owned. “This one. It brings out your eyes.”
“Where did you learn that phrase?”
“Hannah. She said it once about my sweater.” Maisie thrusts the shirt at me. “Trust me, Daddy.”
I take the shirt. At this point, I’m willing to trust anyone’s judgment over my own.
“Are you going to kiss Tori tonight?” Maisie asks while I change.
I nearly choke on my own spit. “Why would you ask that?”
“Because that’s what people do on dates. Sophie’s mom told her.”
“Sophie’s mom talks about kissing with her six-year-old?”
“Sophie’s mom tells her everything.” Maisie sits on my bed, swinging her legs. “So? Are you?”
“That’s... not really something we discuss, Maze.”
“But you like her, right? Like,like-likeher?”
“I like-like her,” I admit, because there’s no point in lying to a child who can smell dishonesty from a mile away. “Very much.”
Maisie beams. “Good. I like-like her too.” She hops off the bed and heads for the door. “Don’t mess it up, Daddy!”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, shadow.” I shake my head.
“You’re welcome!”
She disappears down the hall, and I finish getting ready with her words echoing in my head.
Don’t mess it up.
No pressure.
• • •
I pull up to Tori’s building at 6:55.
