Page 138 of Callahan

Alan tsked. “I hope when you’re ninety-five, you don’t look back on this exact moment and wonder how your life would have turned out if only you’d gotten up and kissed the girl instead of doing nothing.”

I hoped so, too.

But I wasn’t optimistic.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Lainey

“How was dinner last night? Was Alan as over the top as you thought he’d be?” Kristy asked when we prepped for Friday’s selections.

“He has a very big personality. But once you get past the bravado, you see he’s a big cinnamon roll who’d do anything for the people he cares about.”

“Obviously. He drove a thousand miles to bring his brother his SUV.”

“I think he just really wanted to see Adam.”

“Speaking of Adam… how was it between the two of you?”

“It was fine, I guess.”

“You guess?”

“I don’t know. I mean, we’re cordial enough. And he dotes on Conor, which I’m grateful for. But he’s not going to change his mind about us—he’s made it crystal clear that being with me would be betraying Shawn, and he’s too honorable to do that. But then he acted mad when he found out Justin asked me to dinner.”

Her eyes got big and she shook her head like she was a cartoon character.

“Hold on.What? When did this happen?”

“He came in this morning after an overnight shift at the hospital. He was so nervous; it was kind of adorable.”

“So, are you interested in him?”

I scrunched up my face and brought my shoulders to my ears, then dropped them with a sigh.

“No. We have zero chemistry. To be honest, I can’t figure out why he wants to go out with me. But he’s nice, and I’m surewe’ll have a pleasant evening, so I said yes. I’m not putting too much stock in there being a second date though.”

“Do you want me to babysit Conor?”

“Oh my god! Would you? I didn’t want to ask Teresa and Hugh. I mean, it’d be weird, right? Asking them to watch their grandson while I went on a date with another man.”

“I would be honored to watch him. And no, I don’t think the O’Briens would have a problem if you went on a date.”

“Maybe you’re right, but I would still feel uncomfortable asking them to babysit. It’s one thing to ask for help if I’m working, but another if I’m going out.”

“I’ll bring my e-reader and a change of clothes when I come tomorrow. There’s a romance novel that’s been calling my name, so I’ll get started on it when my little guy is sleeping.”

“What about yourbigguy; won’t he want to do something Friday night?”

“Probably, but it’ll have to wait until I’m done here. It’s funny how understanding he’s been since we did butt stuff.”

“You’re the best-best friend a girl could ask for.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Like, are we talking godmother material best-best friend?”

“My sister would never speak to me again.”

Her brows dropped and a scowl formed on her face.

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