Page 156 of When Ben Loved Jace

“Meow!”

“All right!” I holler. When carefully setting the photo down, I address it again. “Now that I know the hardships of being a single parent, I understand why you were so eager to pair up with me. Speaking of which, I’m actually going out tonight. On a straight date! Have fun babysitting.”

I hustle to the kitchen where Samson is pacing in front of his favorite cabinet. After scattering some treats across the kitchen table, I go to the living room and sprinkle catnip on the carpet. That should keep him happy while I’m gone.

I’ve just finished putting on my shoes when someone knocks. I grin, hop up, and throw open the door.

“Hot date!” Allison cries.

“The hottest ever!” I reply gleefully before giving her a hug. Then I lean back to get an eyeful. “You look nice!”

“Especially with your handsome self hanging off me,” she says with a little shimmy. “Let me take a better look at you.”

I scamper back a few steps and do a twirl.

“Not bad,” she says appraisingly. “Although…”

“What?”

“Is the dark-blue shirt clean?”

“I think so. Why?”

“Because you’re pale enough on a good day. A little contrast wouldn’t hurt.”

“Oh my god!” I complain. “I’m glad this isn’t a real date, or we’d be in abusive territory by now.”

Allison sounds concerned when following me to the bedroom. “Do you really think so?”

“Yes. Wait, do you tell Brian what he’s supposed to wear?”

“Umm…”

“Allison!”

“What? You always liked it!”

I spin around to face her. “Yeah, but I’m not your husband.”

“Yet,” she says, pinching my cheek. Then she moves past me to the closet. “Here it is. Put this on instead.”

I comply, but only because she has better taste than me.

“Perfect,” she says with a nod of approval. “Let’s go. I’m hungry. What are you in the mood for?”

“Something cheap. I’m late on the mortgage payment again.”

“Uh oh. Do you need a loan?”

“You mean like the one I still haven’t paid back?” I shake my head while leading the way outside. “Greg and Michelle already offered to help, but I turned them down. I just need to make it to my birthday.”

“So you can wish for a fortune when blowing out the candles?”

“So I can ask my parents for money under the guise of it being a gift.”

“Well, I’m in the mood for Italian. Tonight is on me.”

We sing on the way to the restaurant, using it as an opportunity to rehearse, since we’ll be hitting a karaoke bar after we eat. Brian made us promise to pass out flyers for his theater when we do, thinking it will be good for business.