Page 76 of Rules in Love
Growling like a hungry ogre, I pursued Iris into the living room, where she sought refuge behind an exhausted-looking Evie’s back. My aunt sat opposite her in her favorite chair, her favorite Aussie beer in one hand, the other listlessly waving.
“Welcome home, ladies. Did you walk home from Tarrytown? You two look knackered.”
Jocelyn looked at me, feigned a smile, and then pointed to the collection of shopping bags sitting beside her. “May as well have. We stopped off and did a little shopping.”
“A little?” I scoffed, peering inside to see if there was anything for me. “Looks like a whole lot.” Iris, who was still hiding behind my sister and seemed to believe herself invisible, giggled and then clapped her hand over her mouth. I watched her from the corner of my eye as I circled the room. “Gee whiz, I sure do wish my Iris was here. I’d love to see all the things she got while shopping. Oh well, never mind.”
“If I come out to show you, pwomise you won’t tickle me?”
“Cross my heart.” I was lying to my child and felt no remorse. No one ever tells you how much you will lie to your kids. They should teach that in birthing classes.
“Ta-da!” She leapt out from behind Evie, jumped from the couch, and hopped on one excited foot to her loot bags. Seizing the opportunity, I grabbed and tickled her till she could hardly breathe. “You promised, Daddy!”
“My fingers were crossed. Always check the fingers, Iris.” I continued to tickle, only stopping when her wriggly little legs began to twist together in the universally known body language forI’m gonna pee my pants!With the energy only a child can possess, she bounced up onto her knees and crawled to the bags. A series of sweaters and dresses and shoes were held up for my inspection, then came a few toys—My Little Ponies, of course—and then a gift for me.
“We found these for you, Daddy. They awe just like the ones you have in your woom.” Iris handed me a familiar-looking bundle wrapped in brown paper, tied with string, and a sprig of heather tucked beneath it.
“Can I open it?” I asked, genuinely curious as to what she picked for me.
“Yes, please. I hope you like it.”
“Of course, I will, bubs, because you gave it to me.” One tug on its frayed end had the string falling away, and with delicate precision, I opened the package. Just as I suspected, Jane Austen’sNorthanger Abbey, Persuasion,andEmma,and they all looked even older than those I had for Scarlett. My heart swelled. My affection for her was permeating every aspect of my life, and I was more than okay with it. “Thank you, Iris. They’re perfect. Just like you.”
“And they are vewy old, just like you, Daddy.”
She bolted from the room before I could catch her and apply further tickle punishment. Jocelyn laughed, then cast her wicked, I’m-going-to-tease-you smile and eyes over me. “We thought you may like to add these to your collection, though I don’t think it’s you that you’re collecting for.”
“No, you’re right. They’re not for me. They’re for…a friend.”
“Perchance, would this be the same friend”—thefriendwas highlighted with air quotes—“I ferried to the hospital on Friday?”
An irrepressible smile bloomed as I shrugged. “Perhaps.”
“Excellent. She’s special, unique, and so very beautiful. I like her, Finn. I like her very much.”
“Me too, Jocie. Me too.”
Getting an overtired child to sleep is never easy. Getting an overtired Finn to sleep is even harder. And it seemed I wasn’t alone in my restlessness. Just after midnight, my phone began beeping repeatedly, and I almost fell from bed in my rush to retrieve it. I knew it was her.
Scar: Are you awake?
Scar: Can’t sleep. Is it okay if I say I miss and want you?
Me: No. I’m asleep right now. Hand on cock, dreaming of this sexy woman I spent the weekend with.
Me: Also…I miss you too.
Scar: Is Iris asleep? Wanna sneak over? Just for a bit?
Me: I want to. I really do. But I don’t think I should. We have work and school. Must be an adult.
Scar: But we can be quick :)
A pic of her boob accompanied this message. My favorite one too, the right one.
Me:Oh, I can be quick. Don’t start without me. Be there soon.
My perhaps stubborn insistence on driving in New York had been a constant point of ridicule by all my acquaintances, but for some reason, this was the one time I didn’t get behind the wheel. I ran. I ran so fast I could hardly breathe and fell several times, but I made it to Scarlett’s street in impressive time, and I spotted her two houses away. Wearing a robe and hopefully nothing else, she paced the sidewalk, biting the nails of one hand, and running the other through her twisted curls.
