Page 63 of The Holy Grail
“I am.” Pushing his plate away, he added somewhat shyly, “It actually made me want to go over and meet you.”
She chuckled. “Really?”
“Really.”
Jules digested that before returning to the topic of David. “For the most part, he’s a great guy,” she said.
“For the most part?”
“Yes. And the other parts are mostly in my head. I have incredibly high standards for Paige—especially when it comes to David—and in the past there were times when I thought he hadn’t lived up to them.” She gave Malcom a rundown of David’s relationship with Ashley after the divorce from Paige, the things Ashley had done which had been attributed to him being an asshole, and Jules’ concern about his plan to get Paige back. When Jules was done, she finished with, “So, I wasmostlywrong about some things, and you really don’t need to worry about him. I mean, it’s not like he’ll be grilling you about what your intentions are with me.”
Malcom’s lips tilted up in a smile. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
Jules texted Paige back.
JULES: Thanks so much for the kind invitation.
JULES: What time would our presence (and presents) be required?
PAIGE: How about 7:00 p.m.?
PAIGE: And no presents. I’m not ten years old.
Jules looked at Malcom. “Does 7:00 p.m. work for you?”
He nodded. “That works for me.”
JULES: Okay. We’ll see you then.
PAIGE: Yay!!!
JULES: Jeez, calm down a little bit.
PAIGE: No can do!
PAIGE: It can’t be overstated how much I’m looking forward to this!
JULES: Just so you know, your borderline creepy enthusiasm is actually making me second-guess coming over for dinner. Even if it is your birthday.
PAIGE: That was mean.
PAIGE: My enthusiasm isn’t at all creepy—thank you very much—and don’t you dare think about coming up with some lame excuse and canceling on me at the last minute.
PAIGE: It is my birthday, after all.
JULES: I would never do that.
JULES: It is your birthday, after all.
PAIGE: Sure you wouldn’t.
PAIGE: But if you do …
PAIGE: I. Will. Cut. You.
Jules shook her head at the threat; in real life her friend wasn’t very intimidating, and was even less so via text.
JULES: Jeez, no need for threats. Especially since you can’t carry them off.
