Page 32 of If Love Had A Manual (Skeptically In Love #2)

I ’m two sips into a latte that’s about seventy percent foam and three pages into a paperback I’ve already read twice when my phone buzzes on the coffee shop table.

Wes : Where do we keep the thermometer that works?

It takes me a second.

Me : We? Bold word choice for someone who’s currently parenting solo. It’s my day off, Wesley.

Wes : You reorganized my entire kitchen. That makes this your fault.

Me : Top shelf, blue box.

Wes : Thanks.

Me: You’re welcome. Is Rosie sick? You got man-flu again?

I grin and lean back, the sun warm on my arms, and the distant hiss of the espresso machine provides a sort of meditative white noise.

Wes : We’re both fine. She just feels warm and tried to use the dog bowl as a foot spa.

Me : So… just a typical Tuesday?

Wes : It’s Saturday.

Me : Exactly. I’m glad you noticed. My day off .

Another beat. Then a picture comes through of Rosie on the floor, smiling up at the camera. Milo is wearing her bib.

Me: Well, that’s emotional blackmail. Hey, Rosie Posie.

Wes : She’s going down for a nap. We’re both tired after listening to your podcast.

I nearly snort my latte.

Me : Excuse me? You’re listening on your own now?

Wes : Lena, it’s like crack.

Me : Right? What’s the episode about? I haven’t listened this week.

Wes : Sex club. Wristbands. Mood lighting. Lots of rules. Very efficient, actually.

Me : Thinking of going?

Wes : That’s more Julian’s thing.

Me : Really?

Wes : You have no idea of him.

I laugh loud enough to get a glance from the guy at the next table. I wave an apology and sip more foam.

Me : What do the wristbands mean?

Wes : Green for yes. Yellow for maybe. Red for “don’t even look at me.”

Me : So… you’re a red?

Wes : Very funny, coming from someone who argues with gravity.

Me : You should go. It’ll give you depth.

I’m just goading him now. Getting on this man’s last nerve is my favorite hobby.

Wes: I have depth.

Me: You have depth the same way a pothole has depth. Unpredictable and potentially fatal.

A pause.

Wes : Ouch.

Me : Admit it. You miss me .

Wes : It’s suspiciously calm without you here.

Me : You mean boring?

Wes : I mean calm.

Me : One day, you’re going to realize I’m the best thing that ever happened to your household.

Wes : I already know that.

The quiet that follows is the kind that settles under my skin.

Me: Don’t say stuff like that. I’m emotionally unstable, and I just finished a latte.

Wes: Mostly foam?

I stare at the screen, then down at the cup.

Is it normal to know your nanny this well?

There was a noticeable shift after his birthday. He started asking me random things about my life in passing, but we were so caught up in the rhythm of Rosie’s world, I assumed he wasn’t paying attention. I thought he was making small talk.

I thought wrong.

Me: It was at least 70% foam, yes.

I reach into the brown paper bag beside me and pull out the candle I impulse-bought earlier just to smell it again.

Heaven.

Wes: Go enjoy the rest of your weekend. Buy more of those candles you like.

Me: Are you watching me?

Wes: You’re predictable.

Me: I prefer a creature of habit.

Wes: See you Monday, Carter.

Me: Yeah, you hope.

I smile at the screen, shove my phone into my bag, and take another deep sniff of my candle.