Page 127 of All of Me

My Wife:

Yes, Daddy.

Me:

That’s my good girl.

The day drags on, each task blending into the next. I tighten another bolt, my thoughts drifting to Callie and the messages we’ve exchanged. The anticipation of getting home makes focusing on work nearly impossible.

“Earth to Owen,” Will’s voice cuts through my thoughts. I glance up to see him smirking, wiping grease from his hands. “You’ve been on autopilot all morning. What’s up?”

“Just thinking about getting home,” I admit, trying to shake off the distraction.

Will chuckles. “Ah, newlywed life. Must be nice.”

I grin, not bothering to deny it. “It is pretty great.”

He shakes his head, amused. “I can tell. You walk around with that dumb look on your face all day, like a guy who hit the jackpot.”

“Because I did,” I say easily, tightening another fitting. “You’ll get it one day.”

Will snorts. “Doubtful.”

I shrug. “You say that now, but trust me, it’ll sneak up on you when you least expect it.”

His scoff comes quick, automatic, but for a split second something flickers across his face, and it makes me wonder. I know Will’s been checking in on Sabrina more lately, making sure she’s okay, but the way he dodges any talk about his own life makes me think he’s not ready for that conversation. Maybe it’s nothing. Maybe it’s just him looking out for her. Or maybe there’s more to it—something even he hasn’t figured out yet.

We work in silence for a while, but my mind keeps wandering. Sabrina and Will? I shake it off and pull out my phone during our lunch break, hoping for a message from Callie. Instead, a notification from our group chat pops up.

Luke:

What are the birthday plans? Family dinner? Or is Callie taking you out for prune juice and bingo?

Me:

Keep it up, Olsen. You’re next.

Hunter:

We doing Black N’ Gold tonight for the birthday boy?

Will snickers, and I see his thumbs moving quickly over his phone as he types back his response.

Will:

He’s probably too tired. Old people need their rest.

Luke:

Let’s do it. I need a beer.

Me:

Can’t. Hoping my new mother-in-law will take the kids so I can have some much-needed alone time with my smoking hot wife.

Vince:

Sounds like someone’s whipped.

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