Page 41 of Callow
“Is Daphne expecting you?” I asked as I moved aside to let her move in.
“Yeah. I’m going to help her with an extra credit project,” she told me.
“That’s news to me,” I said, turning to see Daphne moving down the hallway with her hair slicked back from her head with some sort of oil soaking in and three colored acne stars stuck onvarious spots on her skin. “Are you having trouble in one of your classes?” I asked.
“No,” she said with the casualness that told me she wasn’t trying to pull one over on me. “We had a choice of three essays to write if we wanted extra credit.”
And as much as she wouldn’t admit it aloud, my daughter loved her English classes. Especially when it allowed her to write something herself. I sincerely hoped that in a few years, there would still be jobs available in journalism or something like that because it would be a job she’d not only excel at, but would love.
“Well then, by all means, carry on,” I said, waving toward the living room, making Daphne roll her eyes and Allie give me one of those tight smiles that said she thought I was being cringy, but was trying to be nice about it. “How about you guys order some greasy brain food?” I suggested, going into the kitchen to our menu drawer and bringing a stack over to them.
I promised myself that I would go off to my room eventually, not hover like one of those needy moms who wanted to be involved with all the stuff the kids did.
But before I could do that, as the girls debated Italian, Mexican, or Chinese, my phone beeped.
Right there on the coffee table where they could see it.
And Callow’s name flashed across the screen.
My heart leapt as I tried to reach for it casually, instead of snatching it up like a damn lifeline.
Though there was no way to hide who it was from the girls. Who each shared a mischievous glance, lips pressed tightly together to hide their excitement that their plans were clearly working.
My heartbeat was hammering as I swiped my passcode in before bringing up the text.
And there it was.
An invitation to a second date.
I wasn’t sure I’d felt so excited since I was a teenager as I shot off my reply before setting down my phone, hoping I was playing it off casually.
I should have known better. Daphne knew me too well.
“So… where’s he taking you?” she asked, voice singsong as she tapped one of the menus on her jean-clad thigh.
“It’s… a surprise,” I told her, watching as both the girls shared another look, eyes bright. “But seeing as I’m supposed to dress in layers, I’m assuming it’s outdoors,” I said.
“When?” Daphne asked.
“Thursday at seven.”
“Seven atnight?” Allie asked, eyes round.
“Of course seven at night, Grandma,” Daphne teased her friend with an eye roll and a smile as she tossed a throw pillow at her. “Who has a date at seven in the morning?”
“But it will be dark outside,” Allie said.
“That might be a problem if they were werewolves and it was a full moon,” Daphne said, shaking her head.
“But it could be dangerous,” Allie, our sweet little Anxious Annie pressed.
“And Callow is a one-percent biker who likely has more than one gun strapped on him,” Daphne added. “Mom will be perfectly safe. So, what are you going to wear?” she asked, looking at me.
“Layers,” I said. Being particularly cold-sensitive, I knew I would ruin the date by trembling if I didn’t have at least a long sleeve, sweater, and a light jacket on. Not exactly a great date look. But Callow was used to seeing me at my, you know, usual level of attractiveness. It wasn’t like he was expecting me to show up looking like a bombshell.
“Ugh,” Daphne said, rolling her eyes. “A dress would be better.”
“I own exactly two dresses,” I reminded her. “And one is my black funeral and work meeting dress. Besides, it’s dropping to the forties at night lately.”