Page 11 of Knight

She laughs. “That’s the one. She was my roommate our freshman year of college and we’ve basically been inseparable ever since. She’s the most wonderful, amazing, loving, crazy friend you can ever imagine. I adore her. My girls think of her as their aunt, even calling her Aunt Cass. She’s truly family to us, especially the past few years.”

“Tell me one reason she’s wonderful and one reason she’s crazy.”

“She’s wonderful because she’s held me up for the past three years when I could barely stand on my own. When I couldn’t get out of bed, she made me. When I ran out of tissues, she got me more. When I couldn’t mother, she mothered for me. When I couldn’t sleep alone, she slept with me. After Scott died, I had trouble sleeping in the empty bed. She slept in my bed with me every night for a year because she knew what I needed. I will never be able to repay her for what she’s done for me. As for crazy…hmmm…there’s so damn much. I’m not sure I can pick just one.”

“Try. I need to see if her nickname is earned”

“It is. I promise.” She’s silent for a beat. “Oh, I’ve got it, but you can’t tell her that I told you.”

“I won’t.”

“Promise?”

“I promise. I’ll even pinky promise.” I smile at that.

“She loves to tape herself having sex. She has a collection of thousands of videos of herself having sex with all kinds of men.” She’s giggling. “I can’t believe I told you that. She’d kill me.”

“She better hope that collection is never found.”

“I honestly don’t think she would even care. She’s kind of unapologetically herself. It’s actually very endearing. I love that about her.” She pauses for a moment. “Tell me about your best friend.”

“Payton is my best friend.”

“That’s sweet. It really is nice that you’re so close to your son and work together every day.”

“It is. I had him so young. In a way, we grew up together. He just got married. His wife’s name is Kylie. They’re an amazing fit, and very much in love. I’m so happy he found that.” When I didn’t. “I feel they’re one minute away from making me the youngest grandfather of all time.”

“At least you’ll be the hottest grandfather in existence.”

“This is good. You think I’m hot. Is GILF a thing?”

She laughs. “I have no doubt you’ll make it a thing.”

“Well, I suppose you’re the authority, being a MILF and all. Perhaps we can make a club.”

“Sounds like a plan. Any other friends? I know you mentioned the other night that you still keep in touch with a friend from Colorado.”

“I guess my forever friend is William. We’ve been friends since preschool. We’ve been on different paths, but have always managed to stay close. He and his family live just outside of Denver, but I see them whenever I visit. I love his family. He has not had much career success, but he’s been successful in love. In that regard, I’d switch places with him in a minute.”

“You, Jackson Knight, are a bit of a romantic, aren’t you?”

“Maybe. Just calling it like I see it. He has such a wonderful marriage. I’m both happy for him and envious of him.” I need to change topics.

I’m hesitant to ask the next question, but why not? “Can I ask you a risqué question without you getting upset with me?”

“You can ask it. It doesn’t mean I’ll answer it.”

“Fair enough. Are your boobs real?”

She bursts out laughing. “So much for being a romantic. Why do you ask?”

“Because I can’t stop thinking about them. They’re perfect.”

She’s silent for a moment. I hope that wasn’t too much. “Well, I guess I should say thank you then. They’re real and they’re spectacular.” I can almost see her smiling through the phone.

“Seinfeld fan, I see?”

“I can speak in TV and movie quotes all day long.”

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