Page 58 of Third Time Lucky

‘It’s settled then,’ I declare. ‘Next Friday, we dance.’

‘Oh, how exciting!’ Mitzi coos. ‘We’ll go shopping, darling. I can hear Nordstrom calling us already.’

‘Thank you,’ Lucy mouths.

I nod. The pleasure is all mine because I am just a man who has a slightly huge crush on the woman sitting in front of me, and bringing her grandmother will keep me honest.

* * *

‘You asked her grandma to come?Why?’ Aaron balks during our nightly phone call.

‘Because she seemed interested,’ I reply with a casual shrug he can’t see over the phone.

‘Did you also invite the girl you like?’

I laugh, but there’s an edge to it. ‘Obviously.’

‘Do you plan to date the both of them forever?’

‘Why? Does the idea of me dating two wealthy beautiful women make you jealous?’

He laughs heartily. ‘Not when one of them is a hundred and two.’

‘I dunno. Truth be told, I’m a little nervous, It’s been a while since I’ve been on a date and now, I’ve got two women to manage.’

A sigh sounds through the phone. ‘You’re reminding me of me and Mads’ first date.’

‘Donottell the story again,’ I command. ‘This is all your fault, by the way.’

‘What is?’

‘Me being worried. You own that.’

‘How?’

‘You’re a gossip queen. Had you kept your trap shut this could have evolved naturally.’ I shoot back, unsure if I’m more annoyed or thankful.

‘Maybe in twelve more years… you two don’t seem to move quickly,’ Aaron interjects, rudely.

‘You don’t get it,’ I say, dropping my head against the back of my couch. ‘She’s scared.’

‘Ofwhat? My pussycat brother who won’t even tell a woman he’s just walked in on having an affair with his friend to go to hell?’ he moans. ‘Clearly, she’s been too influenced by the mass amount of ink under your skin. You look like a badass, but a pussy, you are.’

‘I’m going to hang up on you.’

‘OK – wait,’ he laughs. ‘Lemme ask, are you scared of her?’

‘Um—’ Am I? Is this feeling fear? ‘I dunno. Not her directly but possibly the overall situation,’ I admit, feeling the tug of uncertainty. Kris is still in my head, influencing my thoughts with words he’ll never really say.

The phone fills with him groaning. ‘Dude. What is wrong with you?’

‘Nothing’s wrong with me,’ I counter, unsure if I believe it myself. ‘Listen, Tin Man, you don’t get it ’cause I’ve actually gotta heart. I’m struggling. Shit’s complicated. I’ve watched this woman be destroyed, twice now. I can’t add to that.’

There’s silence across the line.

‘You know what the Ash I know would do?’ he says suddenly, clearly suggesting I’ve changed somehow.

‘What?’

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