Page 115 of Elevator Pitch

“It’s okay, aduel.” He leans forward, patting my back.

“How do you know I’ve been looking for peace?” My voice cracks.

“Well, you don’t talk to me, so I find things out from your eomma.”

I scoff, wiping my eyes on my sleeves.

“I should’ve known nothing stays between us.”

He chuckles, “She can keep a secret, but she’s always going to tell me. Especially when it involves you and your brother.”

“I guess that’s fair.” I search for Clifford, and I find him running around with a poodle and a pug. My dad speaks and regains my attention.

“Since we’re being honest, she said she saw you kissing your neighbor.”

I exhale, “When did she say this?”

“She texted me after we left,” he says matter-of-factly.

“Of course she did,” I chuckle.

“Aileen sent us an invitation to her wedding. We’re sending money but your mom and I aren’t going. Henry is though. Are you?”

“Yeah. Selah’s my plus one.”

He perks up with a playful grin. “Now I wish I was going.”

“Who knew you were a fan of drama?”

“It’s your eomma and those novels. Whenever she finishes one, she comes and tells me all about it. Keeps me entertained, it’s better than her dramas.”

“Why don’t you read them with her? I do it with Selah. That’s actually how I got her attention.”

“I may have to take your advice. You know, I read this article not too long ago that said you are a modern-day matchmaker.”

“I’d say that’s a stretch, but it sounds good.”

“I loved it and got it framed for my office. I’m proud of you, son.”

My heart warms at those words I’ve always wanted to hear from him.

“Thank you.”

His phone trills, he picks it up and says, “It’s your mom.” He holds up a finger and steps away to answer the call. He returns moments later, finishing his milkshake and tossing the empty cup in the nearby trash.

“Are you ready to get back and see what they cooked?”

“Absolutely.”

We’re on our way back to my place. Clifford is sprawled out along the backseat and will be asleep soon. Dad and I are laughing and talking the whole way home and it feels natural. Henry isn’t going to believe me when I tell him about us spending time together without any awkward silence.

I pull into the parking garage, and Dad reminds me, “Don’t tell your mother about the ice cream. She won’t care that it would’ve melted by the time we got back. Eating sweets without her is considered betrayal.”

“You have my word.”

54

surprise

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