Page 49 of The Ex Puck Bunny
I think about this for all of one second.
Me: Tell me something only you and I would know.
The little dots blink for a long time. Like at least two minutes. I wonder if he’s scouring the internet for dirt and contriving a story. If that’s the case, I’ll be sure to tell the real Grady someone is impersonating him.
Unless he typed something and thought better about sending it. Something that might highlight why we were looking at each other the way we were on that karaoke stage. Like the secret kisses. I swallow thickly as the message appears. It’s a list. A long list.
Grady: The woman asks for a list. She gets a list. Here goes:
-That your mom taught Derek how to braid your hair.
-In fifth grade, you wanted to be Miss America and made Derek, Trey, and me parade you around on your mother’s sun chair like you were a princess and we were your porters, marching in a parade.
-You got braces in seventh grade and were miserable for a full two years.
-Your brother locked you out of the bathroom before your eighth-grade dance and then he climbed out the window, making you late.
-You’ve always looked adorable in that pink hat your gran knit for you.
-You’re a talented skater.
-That you love people even though you can sometimes be a brat.
-During the ride back from the Ice Palace, you looked mad and sad.
-That Bunny loves to play Buckaroo
. . . and you’re an amazing mom.
-That your smile lights up a room.
-I want to see more of it.
-And that kissing you is even more fun than karaoke.
I’m not sure what to make of all that, especially the last few parts. Does he want to see more of my smile? In general or?—?
I’d forgotten about the Miss America princess parade.
He thinks I’m adorable in the pink hat?
If anyone asks, I was mad my car broke down and that it had to be my brother’s hockey-playing best friend to come to my aid.
He claims I’m an amazing mom?
Grady: Shall I continue? Do you want further proof of identity?
Me: That suffices.
Grady: I’m not sure whether Badaszek will accept the video as part of my social media comeback campaign for daily video diaries and engaging posts.
Me: It is a video and it’s getting pretty much the most engagement on the internet at the moment, vying for the top spot with Mr. Tinkles, the cat, and his top hat.
Grady: Thanks to you.
Me: How do you figure that?
Grady: I don’t think anyone would’ve cared if it were me singing up there alone.
