Page 122 of The Risk

“Yes. Our one-month anniversary.”

“It hasn’t been a month.”

“Well, it’s been almost a month—”

“Two weeks!”

“Twenty days! That’s almostthreeweeks.” Rupi studies his face. “When is our anniversary, Mike?”

“What?”

I lean back in my chair and enjoy the show.

“When was our first date?” she pushes.

“Why would I know that?”

“Because you were there!” Rupi flies up to her feet and plantsboth hands on her hips. “You didn’t write down the date? What’s wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong withme? What’s wrong withyou? Who writes down the date of a date?”

“It was ourfirstdate. Are you telling me it wasn’t worth remembering?”

Hollis stands too. At six-one, he towers over five-foot Rupi. And yet any bystander can see who really wields the power.

“You showed up here and dragged me to dinner,” he reminds her. “I didn’t even know who the fuck you were.”

“I really wish you wouldn’t curse at me.”

“Well, if wishes were horses we’d all be equestrians.”

“Ha!” Summer lets out a high-pitched laugh.

Daphne looks utterly fascinated. “What on earth does that mean?”

“That’s not a real saying,” I inform him.

“It’s a real saying,” Hollis growls. “My father uses it all the time.”

Summer grins broadly. “Oh my gosh, Mike, your father is as incomprehensible as you are.”

I glance over at her. “Where do you think he learned it from?”

Rupi doesn’t appreciate the digression. She takes an angry step toward him, and now the two of them are in each other’s faces. Hers is covered with that gunk, and his is bright red from frustration.

“I can’t believe you don’t care about our anniversary.” Rupi spins on her heel. “I need to reflect on this,” she declares over her shoulder. A moment later, we hear her stomping up the stairs.

Hollis turns to me and Summer. “Why did you do this to me?” he asks miserably.

“We like her,” Summer announces.

“Of course you do. Of course you fucking do.” He stalks out, too.

There’s a beat of silence.

“Do you think we can wash our faces now?” Daphne asks, grinning.

“Probably?” Audrey answers.

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