Page 50 of Refuel

“Looks like someone is trying to replace me.” Dad pouted, and I smiled, standing on tippy toes to kiss his cheek again when he bent down. Both my brothers got their height from him.

“Never that,” I replied.

“What are your plans for lunch today?” Dad questioned.

“I have a meeting at the venue for the charity race.”

“I was going to treat you to lunch like old times. We didn’t have our monthly date,” Dad told me as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

“Sorry about that. I got slammed with work.”

“And some boy named Kamden. But that’s okay. Let him know to come by the house for dinner so we can officially meet,” Dad said.

“Isn’t that old school, Pops? You never did that with Eddison’s wife or all of Malik’s women.”

“Eddison’s wife did have dinner with us, but you were too young to remember. Malik is a lost cause in the love department,” Dad joked.

“You’re a mess, Pops. I’ll take a rain check on lunch and call you tomorrow to set up a date for us.”

“Sounds good and don’t forget I want to dine with that boy, Kamden,” he told me.

“Yes, sir.”

Dad winked, waved at Tisha, and walked out of my office. I walked back to my chair and continued going down the list of things that needed to be double checked for the event.

“Is the DJ hired?” I asked.

“Yep, and he’s fine with mixing old school with newer age music. I know some of the kids from the house will show up,” Tisha said.

“Yeah, I want to make sure it’s not too crazy, but they won’t be there long,” I replied.

I added in more notes, and we checked off the upcoming calendar of events.

“Okay, do you need me for anything else? I can get started on calling the shelter,” Tisha stated.

“No, that’s all. If anyone calls for me, take a message,” I said.

“Sure,” Tisha responded and left my office.

Putting away closed files from past events, I added in more details of the color scheme for the cake decorator and then decided to call Kamden. I took my phone out of my purse and speak of the devil, he was FaceTiming me.

“You left without saying goodbye?” I questioned as I rubbed my hair down into a ponytail.

“You left a note. This ain’t Sex and the City, baby,” Kash joked.

I cackled at his response, joking about the breakup post-it note that Carrie got from Big.

“Whatever.”

“What are you doing?” Kash asked.

“Working at the office on some last-minute details for the charity race.”

“What time are you leaving today?”

“Uhm, probably about one. I need to check the venue out with Rylee and then go shopping,” I said.

“I’ll meet you at the mall. Which one?” Kash asked.

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