“It’s a date.”
I nod, pleased that we’ve made plans. “I need to act like I still have a life outside of him. I don’t want to freak him out like I’m catching feelings.”
“Are you?”
“No,” I reply quickly. “I mean, I like him, but he keeps mentioning this big corporate merger coming up in a couple of months, and I seriously try to tune him out every time he talks about it just so I don’t have a panic attack. But it sounds like his business is going to be giant after that, which isn’t my gig. I know that corporate grind world, and I want nothing to do with it.”
Dakota nods thoughtfully for a moment before asking, “Have you given any more thought to Kate’s business proposition?”
I exhale heavily. “I’m sure I should say yes, but I’d need to figure out where I’m living after this summer before I can fully commit. I have to make these penis-shaped boards somewhere.”
Dakota laughs. “I freaking love this idea. I don’t even read her books, but I want one of these book boxes. I mean…a cocktuterie board with a dirty novel? How fun is that?”
Very fun. And I can think of the perfect cock model for a sample board.
I shake away that dirty thought and add, “Well, I’m glad you’re into it because I gave her your number to talk about T-shirts.”
“Seriously?” Dakota peals excitedly.
I nod, and she reaches out to give me a high five. “Hells yes! Look at us…a couple of independent business owners fucking the patriarchy one graphic tee and wang board at a time.”
“What are you guys talking about?” Everly calls over her shoulder to us.
“Fucking the patriarchy!” Dakota replies with a cheer and then looks back at me. “P.S. I want a kid I can swear in front of and have her be behaved enough to know not to repeat it. That’s like…the cutest party trick ever.”
I prop my head on my hand and smile proudly at my charge. “Yeah…she’s pretty awesome.”
“Max, hey…I’m glad I caught you.” Jessica’s voice fills my SUV through the Bluetooth connection as I drive home on Friday. “Is now an okay time to talk?”
“Yes, I’m on my way home, so I’m free.”
There’s a slight pause. “Isn’t it only five o’clock there?”
“Yes,” I reply, glancing at the clock. “What time is it in Bulgaria? It’s got to be late.”
“Early actually. We’ve been shooting nights this week. I have to set an alarm to wake up for my daily phone calls with Everly.”
“Yikes, sounds tiring.”
“It is, but I’m still trying to wrap my brain around you going home at five on a Friday. You never picked up Everly before six o’clock.”
I frown at the subtext to that text. “I was never late, though.”
“No, you certainly weren’t.” She clears her throat, and I hate that even after a decade, I know Jessica’s judgmental voice. “Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I think that nanny you found is incredible. I finally got to talk to her for a bit yesterday, and she is lovely.”
My eyes widen at her remark. Not that I don’t think it’s true, but I’m just shocked to hear Jessica say it. Jessica and Cassandra couldn’t be more opposite. Where Cassandra is relaxed and go with the flow, Jess is organized and scheduled. Jessica probably would have had a stroke if she’d been at that interview with Everly and me. This is definitely unexpected.
“And it got me thinking…” Jess continues. “Maybe Everly doesn’t need to be doing all the activities we have her in. I don’t know if it’s because I see her through a video phone screen every day, and it’s giving me a bird’s-eye perspective, but I swear I’m seeing a transformation in Everly these past few weeks. That anxiety she used to have is practically gone.”
“Well, she had that one bad day,” I offer, my brow furrowed as I recall Everly’s tear-soaked cheeks when I walked in the door with all the ice cream.
“Yeah…I meant to call and talk to you about that. I think that was my fault. I started talking to Everly about gymnastics because they want us to sign up soon, and she sort of flipped out on me. I tried to calm her down, but she was definitely triggered.”
My jaw clenches at the irritation over not knowing that that was what caused Everly’s bad day. “You should have told me, Jess.”
“I know, Max. I’m sorry. I’ve been a little busy over here.”