Page 69 of The Beat of My Heart

“Here you go,” I say, handing over my phone, “knock yourself out. I’m starving. Do you have any cookies?”

“You know I do. In the pantry,” she says, distracted by the text messages she is already scrolling through.

Dexter: Day 1 of MLM: Mission in process. LED floodlights are being installed in her room as we speak. She never has to worry about the dark again.

Preston: It is early in the day for word games. What is MLM?

Julia: Obviously, it’s Make Lanie Mine. Should I expect these updates daily?

Trevor: Who has the 802 number?

Trevor: Also, little bit creeper-ish here, man. What happened to chocolate and flowers?

Julia: A guy gives me flowers and chocolate, I’ll kick him in the taint all the way back to his car.

Trevor: Noted. Again, who is 802?

Dexter: 802 is Lanie’s best friend, Julia. Julia, meet the guys, Trevor, Preston, and Loki.

Preston: Is she hot? The friend?

Julia: Another douche-canoe? Come on, Dex, I thought you were better than this.

Trevor: I think I’m in love.

Loki: I’ll be MIA for a couple of months. I’ll be on the lookout for my invite to the wedding.

Dexter: Be safe, man.

Trevor: Check-in if you can.

Preston: If Julia is shooting me down, Loki, will you be my date to Dexter’s wedding? Be safe, bud. We’ll be thinking of you.

Julia: Definitely missing something, but hey? Be safe!

Loki: Take care of the girl. Guys take care of Dex. Julia? Hell, good luck!

Trevor: Will do. Dex, keep us updated.

Preston: What’s step two, lover boy?

Dexter: Making dinner tonight.

Trevor: Jesus, don’t burn the place down.

Dexter: Your confidence in me is overwhelming.

Preston: Dinner got it. What else? Doll, you have any suggestions? I think it will take more than dinner and some floodlights to win over your girl.

Julia: I’m going to assume you are calling one of the guysDolland not me. If you’re talking to me, watch your balls when we meet in person.

Preston: Noted.

Preston: So, any suggestions?

Trevor: Dex, lead with your heart, the rest will follow.

Julia: Get Maria to stay!