Page 96 of The ABCs of You & Me

Two hours later, we’re sitting in the parking lot at the vet’s so I can get my car. The last thing I want to do though is get out of Sophie’s. I don’t want today to end. I don’t want to go home alone or for tomorrow to come. I want to go back to sitting in the restaurant with her while she smiles around the fufu and okra stew she’s got in her mouth. I want to take her home and get her to make those sounds she was making during dinner, but without the food.

“So I won’t see you much this week, I’m guessing.” She’s going to the other school tomorrow and then has a conference Wednesday to Friday.

“Think you’ll survive?” she jokes.

No? Barely? Maybe but it’s going to be hell?

“Seems unlikely.” I watch as her hands trace the steering wheel. How is she making that so hot? Am I getting turned on by a steering wheel?

“I was thinking that maybe on Friday night you’d want to go seeThe Magic Flutewith me? Yasmine is an assistant to one of the directors with the Canadian Opera Company, so I can get tickets. I had a recording as a kid and was obsessed with it.”

“Papa…” I start to say.

“…geno,” she finishes.

“You used to talk about them like they were real. I think I thought you were talking about a horse.” The sound of our laughter fills the car.

I watch as she collects herself. The sun ablaze through the window behind her, making her even brighter than she usually is. She turns to me, a shy smile on her face. “So, wanna come with me?”

Picking up her hand, I keep eye contact as I bring it to my lips. “Yeah, sunshine, I’ll go watch an opera with you.”

Her responding smile puts the sun to shame.

I’m still thinking of that smile when I let a very unhappy Gary out of the carrier. He doesn’t even look at me as he scurries to the bedroom.

Gary is home. Thanks for the help.

LilWalsh

Good!

Are you going to Dad’s party on Saturday?

Dad’s party… I’d completely forgotten. Probably makes me a terrible son, forgetting his dad’s sixtieth birthday party. I’ll have to blame my infatuation with a certain beautiful blonde. Poor me.

I forgot.

Well, unforget, and bring Sophie. It’s going to be at Bennett and Marley’s now.

Why?

More people RSVP’d than Mom thought would. They don’t have room.

Well that’s nice of your boss.

They’re gone up north for the weekend.

Wait, do they KNOW?

LOL yes Bennett suggested it when I mentioned how stressed Mom was.

How are things going btw

With what?

Soph

Amazing? Confusing?, I wake up full of nervous excitement every day I know I’m going to see her?

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