Page 52 of Friend Me

“What’s this?”

“The theater tickets I promised you. You and Tyler could go together. Work out this lovers’ spat you’re having.” He circled his hand to indicate the two of us.

He could probably feel the tension that rolled between us like the fog outside. I opened the envelope and pulled out two tickets, center orchestra, of course, to—“Hamilton?”I squeaked.

“Have you seen it?”

“No.” The tickets were for Friday night. I couldn’t leave Dad and Tigger. I shoved them back into the envelope. “I can’t—”

Tyler spoke over me. “We’d love to go. Thank you.”

“Fantastic. You’ll love it.” Cooper smiled like a proud uncle, the first time I’d seen his face crack its stern expression all day. “You about ready to start on my presentation, Marlee?”

A thrill ran through me. This was it. Operation Prince Charming, ready for takeoff. I nodded, not trusting my voice.

“My office, ten minutes?” His voice was low and sexy.

Maybe I would be literally on the table. Or splayed out on that big buttery sofa in his office. I imagined that laser gaze of his getting closer and closer as his lips descended over mine. His woodsy scent surrounding me. The heat of his body radiating through his expensive shirt. Surely up close he’d be warm and not frosty like he always seemed. “Sure,” I squeaked.

With a nod, he turned and strode back toward his office.

Wow.I blinked.

“He’s leaving tomorrow, right?”

“Yes.” I sighed and pushed the envelope with the tickets toward Tyler. “You go. I can’t get away.”

He didn’t touch the envelope. “You’re dying to seeHamilton.You won’t need to work late since both Jackson and Cooper will be away. Why can’t you go?”

“It’s complicated.” I still couldn’t make sense of why Dad had forgotten about Tigger. Staying late tonight was bad enough. Though he’d seemed fine when I’d called him just before Tyler had come up, two nights in a week was asking for trouble.

“Anything wrong?”

“Just—just my dad is all. I don’t think I can leave him alone.”

“When we went out with Raleigh, you said he seemed off. Has he gotten worse?”

“Maybe.” He had; I knew he had. His slip-ups were getting more frequent. And the one on Friday night—letting Tigger out—could’ve had serious consequences.

“Can you ask your neighbor to watch him again?”

“I feel bad always asking her. He’s my responsibility.”

“Even caretakers need a break sometimes,” he said. “Ask her. And if she can’t do it, I’ll find someone to hang out with him. You know you’re dying to go.”

One corner of my mouth lifted. “Okay. I’ll text you tonight to let you know what she says.”

“Perfect.” He turned away. “It’ll be great. Just you wait.”

Now I full-on grinned. I’d played the soundtrack in the car on the way to the wedding. “You’ve been listening to it.”

“Maybe.” He rolled his lower lip under his teeth. “See you tomorrow.”

The next second, he’d disappeared into the stairwell.

I stood and picked up my tablet. When would I have another chance to seeHamilton?I’d kick myself if I missed this opportunity. I’d been dying to see the show for years. Dad would be fine. Wouldn’t he?

Tyler would be fine, too. Though I couldn’t figure out why he’d gotten so pissed-off earlier. He’d been on board with Operation Prince Charming before. He’d be happy for me when Cooper and I were together, right? Even if Tyler and Cooper weren’t exactly besties, I’d figure out some way for us all to hang out. We’d stay friends after.

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