Page 22 of The ABCs of You & Me

Same! So I’m planning what to wear.

Whatever you want!

So if I show up in a bikini that’s okay?

I stare at my phone for a bit trying not to imagine Sophie walking out to my car wearing nothing but a bikini. I fail.

You may be chilly but I won’t stop you.

HA! So a sweater and jeans is acceptable?

That’s probably a better choice. Should we coordinate again?

Surprise me!

Deal!

I’m about to ask what she’ll do once she’s picked her outfit out, but before I can she’s calling.

I hit accept, and her face fills the screen. “Good morning, sunshine!” I say as cheerily as I can manage this early.

“Barely morning.” She yawns. “So who are you thanking this time?” I don’t answer right away because I wasn’t ready for three a.m. Sophie and I’m a little mesmerized by the messy hair, glasses, and makeup-free face. Even at this hour she’s the sun breaching the horizon.

“Thanking?” I stammer.

“With the cookies. Or are they ‘just because’ cookies?”

“Ah. They’re ‘it’s three in the morning and I can’t sleep’ cookies.”

“Why can’t you sleep?”

“Why can’t you sleep?” I turn the question around.

“I kept replaying what I didn’t say to his girlfriend in the bathroom.” She groans. “I don’t think I should have actually said anything, but I just stood there staring at her for way too long.”

“How did she react?” I ask as the timer on the oven goes. “Just a sec.” I pull the cookies out quickly and turn my attention back to my phone. “Sorry, continue.”

“She looked worried.” She shrugs and wiggles her nose. God, she’s adorable. “So, why are you awake so early, Mr. Walsh?”

I can’t saybecause I was worried about youso I play dumb. “No idea. Maybe I could sense you worrying and I have sympathy insomnia.” Okay, so I’ve basically just admitted it. I turn away from the screen to transfer the cookies to the cooling rack and then begin putting raw scoops onto the pan. When I turn around, she’s eating a cookie.

“Are you bringing cookies on Sunday?” she asks, brushing crumbs from the corner of her mouth. I don’t know why the action has my tongue sneaking out to the corner of my own.

“Ugh, no. Dan wants people to bring booze. If you show up with food, you won’t be invited back.”

“Wait, seriously?”

“Seriously. He takes it as an insult, like we don’t think he can cook. And truth be told, sometimes he can’t.”

“Any bad experiences in particular?” She takes another bite and leans forward, ready for some hot gossip.

“Let’s see…” She’s turned my brain to molasses by simply existing, or maybe it’s just the early hour. “He once baked bacon on a pan with holes. I think it was a pizza pan. He thought it would crisp up better to have ‘more air flow.’” At first I think the screen is frozen because Sophie is sitting there with her mouth open.

“Is he a bad cook or just dumb? Should I bring a fire extinguisher, or have 911 at the ready? I have a friend who’s a firefighter. I could call her so she’s prepared.”

“Definitely reach out to the friend. He tends to get experimental with the menu for this one. I suppose that makes us all the fools for still showing up.”

“I’m genuinely looking forward to it.” And by the look on her face, I don’t doubt it. “Any asshole exes I should know about?”

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