Page 92 of Penalty Shot

Oh shit, I really do objectify my boyfriend.

Me:Goodnight. Have a great workout tomorrow.And because I feelthe need to apologize, I add,I’m sorry if I’ve ever made you feel objectified.

Randall:I know you love me for more than my body. If I had to apologize for every time I stared at your ass, I’d be doing it all day.

Me:No apology needed. My ass is yours to stare at all you want.

Randall:We better stop before I have to take another cold shower. I love you and will be using your pillow tonight.

Me:I love you too.

Me:Also, I’ll go with you to Vancouver. I’m sorry it took me this long to decide.

My phone rings, prompting my companions to gripe.

“This show will not watch itself!”

“Oh my god, how long does it take to say goodnight!”

“Slumber party foul!”

Actually, it’s only Lily yelling because she’s obnoxious.

Sienna and Ma are…wait, are theycuddlingin the corner of the couch?

The insistent ring jolts my attention.

“Hi,” I answer and walk to the kitchen. Looking over my shoulder, I shout, “Start the episode without me!”

“I didn’t mean to bother your show during girls’ night. But when I read that last text, I had to call.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve heard about this great fishing village in the West Coast of Canada.”

“Can’t wait to show you around.”

“Me too.”

“Get back to your show.”

“Randall?”

“Yeah, baby.”

I whisper because that’s what you do when you’ve got potentially juicy gossip. Everyone knows that.

“Ma and Sienna. Do you think they’re, like, into each other?”

“What makes you say that?” he whispers too, even if he’s alone in his massive townhouse.

“I haven’t been around for weeks, but their energy is different.”

“You think that’s why she insisted you to take down her profiles on the dating apps?”

“Oh my god, that makes so much sense! But why hasn’t she said anything?”

“You’ll have to ask her that, baby.”

“I want to,” I state because this is not the kind of news you keep from your only daughter. “But what if she’s not ready to tell me? Maybe confronting her will seem too nosy?”