Page 38 of Dad Next Door

Trrrr. Trrrr. Trrrr.

Curiously, I grabbed my phone and checked my notifications. Who was texting me at this hour?

My mouth went dry when I saw Quinn’s name.

There was no way he could know I’d just finished looking at his content, but guilt still prickled at me as I opened my texts.

Quinn: I can’t remember if you said the dress code for the wedding is black tie or business

Tristan: it’s black tie. Do you have a tux? I can rent one for you if you don’t

Quinn: I’ve got one. I should probably make sure it still fits tho. It’s been a few years since I wore it

Tristan: are you sure you still want to go with me?

Quinn: of course

Quinn: why?

Tristan: I just don’t want you to feel like you have to if that was a wine offer

Quinn: it wasn’t a wine offer. I was tipsy last night but that doesn’t change anything

Quinn: remember how you told me you feel guilty accepting help? This isn’t me offering to help you. This is me offering to go to a wedding with you so we can have fun and make Simon’s head explode

Tristan: thanks. I’m trying to get better about the whole ‘my existence is a burden’ thing

Quinn: it takes time to unlearn that kind of training. You’ll get there.

Tristan: one step at a time, right?

Quinn: exactly

Quinn: how did you feel today?

Tristan: are you asking if I was hung over?

Quinn: maybe

Tristan: I was fine. Little bit of a struggle to get out of bed but a big breakfast and extra coffee was enough to get me back on track

Tristan: Please make sure I eat while I drink at the wedding. No one wants to see sloppy Tristan

Quinn: I mean, I kinda do

He sent one of the silly-faced emoji, the one where it was winking and had its tongue out.

Tristan: how about we save that for a night where I don’t have to worry about not punching my ex in the face if he gets too uppity

Quinn: deal

Quinn: how do you feel about arriving at the wedding in style?

Tristan: what do you mean?

Quinn: a limo makes a bigger statement than an Uber

Tristan: it would. I can look into renting one