Page 139 of Callahan

“Fine, but he’s calling meAuntKristy, and I’m going to be the favorite.”

“Absolutely.”

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Adam

Brian was dressed in his uniform when he came over Friday morning. He and Alan had coffee at the kitchen island while Ibrooded in my pajamas at the bistro table by the window as I pushed my eggs and toast around my plate.

Finally, Brian asked, “Are you going to get dressed? We’re supposed to logon in twenty minutes.”

Alan talked about me like I wasn’t there. “He’s been in a mood ever since he found out Lainey has a date tonight.”

“Oh, did Justin finally ask her out?”

I didn’t bother to look up when I declared, “Yep.”

I could feel my friend observing me for a beat before he commented, “Well, good for him. She’s a great girl. I hope it works out. He’d make a great dad to Conor. And I’m sure he’ll want more kids, so Conor will have siblings.”

I knew he was baiting me.

Knew it.

Yet, I was pissed enough to take it—hook, line, and sinker.

My chair almost toppled over when I forcefully pushed away from the table, stood up, and declared, “You guys are assholes,” before storming out to get ready for work.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Adam

I came back out, dressed for work, and was contrite when I addressed Brian and Alan.

“I’m sorry for snapping. I know what you were trying to do, and I want you to know, I’ve heard both of you when we’ve talked. I need some time to figure things out. If she falls for someone else in the meantime, I guess that means we weren’t meant to be.”

Brian nodded, but I should have known Alan wouldn’t let me off the hook that easily.

“Just curious—what is there to ‘figure out’? You love her and her kid, and I’m pretty positive she feels the same about you, for some reason that I’m still trying to understand. You didn’t do your friend dirty and get with his girl while he was alive. You didn’t even know her then.”

Brian added, “Shawn would want her to be with someone who will treat her right and raise his son to be an honorable man.”

“Give me some time.”

I could tell they were disappointed I wasn’t going to go make a grand gesture right then.

Alan said, “Since you’re not going to be interrupting her date tonight and carrying her away, caveman style, do you want to go to Hannigan’s? Maybe it’ll keep your mind off that they’re probably sharing a dessert and falling in love. Plus, I need to take some pictures and let Derrick and Dan know they’ve got competition. Maybe they’ll treat me better when I go into Flannigan’s.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Please, the last time I was in Flannigan’s with you, they greeted you like Norm fromCheerswhen we walked in, then Dan had your drink waiting by the time we got to the bar.”

He had a boyish grin when he conceded, “Yeah, they are pretty great to me. But, it’s good to let them know I have options, so they don’t get complacent!”

“And people wonder why you’re still single.”

“I’m single because I’m not settling until I meetthe one.”

“And how will you know that?”

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