Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
“We’ll see,” I tell Juniper, earning a dramatic groan from my daughter. I pull out my phone and stare at Kali’s contact info for a solid minute before I type out a short text: Hey, everything okay? You seemed a little off last night. I read it back twice, then send it before I can overthink it.
While I’m waiting for a response, Juniper chatters about the cartoon on TV. My phone buzzes after a minute or two, and I glance down.
Kali: I’m fine, really. Sorry if I seemed off. Just tired. Thanks for checking in.
I frown. That’s the second time she’s told me she’s fine. In my experience, when somebody insists they’re “fine” a few times in a row, they’re usually the opposite. Might as well cut to the chase. So I send back:
Ripley: I’d like to see you again. Maybe dinner tonight? Maybe around 6 if you’re free.
There’s a longer pause this time. My heart thuds in my chest like I’m awaiting the final out of a tight game. Then my phone buzzes again.
Kali: Okay. I’d like that. I’ll come by.
Relief washes through me, followed by a swirl of apprehension. Good, we can talk. I glance at Juniper, who’s half paying attention to the cartoon, half eyeing me suspiciously. I open my mouth to tell her Kali’s coming over, but my phone buzzes again—this time it’s Hattie calling.
“Hey, sis,” I answer, stepping into the hallway for a moment of privacy.
“Morning, Rip,” Hattie greets. “Just calling to remind you that Juniper’s staying with me tonight, remember? We’ve got that early trip out of town tomorrow and I wanted to leave before traffic gets nuts.”
I smack my forehead lightly. “Right, the mini vacation. She’s been talking about that all week, how could I forget?” I throw a glance at Juniper over in the living room. She’s got both arms in the air now, pretending to be a soaring airplane. Sometimes I swear my kid never runs out of energy. “So you want me to drop her off this afternoon?”
“That’d be perfect,” Hattie says. “I’ll have her back tomorrow evening. I’ll bring her to the field for your game. Tell her we’ll be stopping for ice cream on the way—she’ll be thrilled.”
I chuckle. “You spoil her rotten.”
“Of course,” Hattie snorts. “Anyway, see you later.”
We hang up, and I pocket my phone with a sigh. So dinner tonight is just going to be me and Kali. That’s… definitely not how I pictured it when I asked her. But the idea sends a strange jolt of excitement and nerves through my gut. This might actually be better. A chance to figure out what’s going on, uninterrupted by six-year-old commentary.
The day slips by in a blur. I help Juniper pack a small bag while she chatters about Aunt Hattie’s plan to visit some kind of roadside attraction. Then we pile into the car, and I drive her to Hattie’s place. My sister greets us with a teasing grin, asking if I’ve got a “hot date” while Juniper’s away. I dodge the question as best I can, muttering something about just hanging out at home.
Once Juniper’s taken care of, I head back to my place, the house eerily quiet without her. I toss a look around the living room, noticing stray socks and Juniper’s crayons scattered on the coffee table. I tidy up a bit, my nerves hitting me full force now that I’m alone. Why am I so wound up?
I decide to keep dinner simple. I’ll grill some chicken, maybe throw together a salad. Nothing fancy. But halfway through seasoning the chicken, I realize I’m basically pacing the kitchen. Am I expecting this to turn into a date? I’m not sure. All I know is that I want to see Kali, talk to her, maybe figure out how she feels. Because I’m starting to realize how I feel—it’s more than casual. It’s… something bigger, something that doesn’t settle quietly in my chest.
Finally, around 6:10, there’s a soft knock at the door. I wipe my hands on a dish towel and take a calming breath before answering.
Kali stands on the porch, wearing a light sweater over a casual sundress, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. She looks more relaxed than last night, but there’s still a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. The sun’s dipping low, casting a warm glow across her face. For a moment, we just stare at each other, neither of us quite sure what to say.
“Hey,” I manage, stepping back. “Come in.”
She enters, glancing around as if checking to see if Juniper’s lurking behind the couch. “Quiet,” she remarks, a tentative smile appearing. “Where’s your little shadow?”
I scratch the back of my neck. “She’s with my sister tonight. They have an early trip in the morning.” I shrug, trying for nonchalance. “So it’s just us.”