Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
She takes me around the store, and I follow, saying yes to everything. I’m unstoppable. I can’t help myself. I am consumed and if I can’t have her, I want her to have all these pretty things.
Fifteen minutes later, the associate finishes wrapping up an entire set of lingerie. There are several pairs of lace panties, along with a white lace panty and bra set embroidered with red tulips.
I write out a note.
I’ll do better in Paris. I promise.
And I will. When I see her there, I’ll be friendly and professional. I won’t drag her into a dark corner and tear off her clothes. I won’t tell her to choke on my cock. And I won’t demand she come for me again and again.
I swear.
With that done, I pick up Zach from a friend’s home, a kid named Arjun who has a dog named Donut, a friendly, sparky little mutt who barks and scampers.
I’m so screwed.
As Zach says goodbye, I brace myself for the inevitable pooch request, but as we leave, he instead asks, “Can we go to the bookstore? There’s an old Captain Dude that I’ve never read, and I want to read it before the new one comes out.”
Well, that’s much more manageable. “Let’s get it.”
We go to An Open Book, a few blocks away, and the second he slides past the door, Zach is off and running. I catch up in two long strides, grabbing his shirt collar. “Indoor feet,” I admonish.
Chastened, he frowns. “Sorry, Dad.”
He heads to the kids section and grabs the graphic novel. “Can I get some other books too? Daveed’s mom works for a publisher, and she was telling us about all these other cool books.”
“Get whatever you want.” I’m indulging him, and I know it.
But as far as I’m concerned, books are one indulgence that should never be curtailed.
He stocks up, then we head to meet my brother and his son at Neon Diner.
Nick’s kid gives Zach a fist bump. “What did you get at the store, Z?”
“Check this out.” Zach beckons David closer, but he doesn’t show him his haul from the store. He whispers something in his cousin’s ear.
David’s grin spreads across his face. No. That’s wrong. It takes over the city.
“Sure,” David says, and the two cousins slide into a booth together, looking like little stinkers.
Nick turns to me, shaking his head in amusement. “They’re up to something.”
“Yeah, they remind me of a couple of shitheads I once knew,” I whisper, as we slide in across from them.
“They sure do.”
Halfway through the meal, David clears his throat. “Uncle Finn. It’s time you get Zach a dog. I know all the rescues in the city, and I can help.”
Nick barks out a laugh then claps my back. “You’re so screwed.”
Yes. Yes, I am.
But I’m not a negotiator for nothing. “I still travel for work,” I remind my son. “I won’t be home all the time to take care of a dog.”
David nods, his expression serious. “But I don’t travel for work. Tiramisu can stay with Cynthia and me.”
I blink, confused for a hot second, then ridiculously impressed. “You already named a dog we don’t have?”
Zach sits up straighter. “It’s your favorite dessert, Dad.”
Nick covers his mouth but can’t hide the sound of his cackling. When my brother finally shuts up, I get a word in edgewise. “I have to go to Paris in a couple weeks,” I hedge.
“What I’m hearing is after Paris would be a great time.” David turns to my kid. “Are you hearing that too, bro?”
Zach gives David a matching nod, his gaze dead serious as well. “I definitely heard that.”
I drop my forehead into my palm and laugh.
Nick chuckles. “Good luck, Daddy.”
I look up, dropping the smile as I lock eyes with David. “But you better send me camping pictures. Got it?” I point to the chief troublemaker—my brother’s son.
David gives me a good soldier salute.
After we’re done eating, and David and Zach weave to the exit ahead of us, Nick says, “Like father, like son.”
“Yes. Your kid likes to stir the pot.”
Nick rolls his eyes. “I meant yours.”
“Yeah, that seems to be the case.”
I go home with my troublemaker, and I try not to make any more trouble of my own. I’ve got this guy to focus on, and that’s what matters.
A few days later, though, I receive a thank you note in the mail, and it makes me want to break all my promises.
The card is simple, with an illustration of a daisy on the front. Inside it says: Thank you. I can’t wait to wear them all.
It’s a miracle I don’t stalk over to her apartment that instant.
19
FUNNY MEETING YOU HERE
Jules
Finn sticks to his promise over the next few weeks. I don’t hear any more from him, not about panties, or planning for Paris, or anything.