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“Will you really? Are we really okay?” I ask.

“Yes,” she replies. “We’re okay. I’m sorry I got so upset earlier. There was nothing to disrupt the overdrive cycle of the thought factory, and I completely overreacted. That was unfair to you.”

“Nope, no apologizing for that,” I cut in. “You’re allowed to feel the feelings. This isn’t an ideal situation, especially for a new relationship, and you don’t need to pretend like it is. It sucks. End of story.”

“Speaking of stories, how’s the audiobook coming along?” Danae asks.

I groan. “Sly change of subject there, babe. I’m gonna give it to you, though, since you had a rough day.” She fights a smile, and what I wouldn’t give to kiss those lips right now. “I’m trying. I swear I am. But I’m only on, like, chapter three or something. I can’t multitask while I’m listening, so I haven’t had a lot of time to listen.”

When she quirks a knowing eyebrow, I add, “And I still don’t really enjoy it. But I’m trying it. For you.”

“And for Jason,” she adds, eyes twinkling. “He’ll be so excited when you finally know who Ron, Hermione, and Draco are.”

Covering my eyes with one hand, I pretend to grimace but then grin and run my hand back through my hair. “I’ll give it my best effort. No promises.” Staring into her eyes, I cup the phone in my hand as though I was cupping her face. “I really wish I could kiss you right now. Just so you know.”

Danae kisses her fingertip and then places it over the camera briefly. I mimic the gesture and sigh. “Nothing like the real deal, but that’ll do for now. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?”

After we hang up, I quickly video call Sam.

“So what’s the situation?” Sam asks, forgoing a greeting altogether.

After I fill her in on the basics of what Danae shared with me, I say, “Hey, I need you to stay there in KC. I’ll cancel your flight.”

“You mean I’ll cancel my flight,” she says with an eye roll. “Why?”

“Jason’s birthday is in a couple of days, and I’m not gonna be there,” I say.

Sam clucks her tongue. “Yeah, that sucks.”

“Exactly,” I say. “Danae said she’s having a small party for him with a few friends from school, but I need you to take a present over there and say hi in my place.”

“You know Joe is gonna throw a hissy-fit when I’m not at the meeting tomorrow to sync schedules for the season? Not that I’m complaining about getting to annoy Joe,” Sam says.

“I’ll take care of Joe. You take care of Danae and Jason,” I respond.

“What present am I getting?” she asks.

I smile. “I’ll tell you exactly where to go and what to get.”

Chapter twenty-nine

Danae

GRIFFIN

Happy birthday to Jason! Give him the biggest birthday high five from me.

ME

Thanks! Will do.

GRIFFIN

What are the big plans for the day?

ME

Just what I told you about already. Having a few of his friends from school over from 6:00-7:30 p.m. for pizza and games. He’s so excited for his first party.