At least with Elliot, I found out before I made a complete fool of myself.
Now you’re not being fair.
Elliot is nothing like my exes. He’s a decent guy who had a momentary lapse. I built it up because of my unusual attraction. He got the blame for not living up to my fantasies.
I’m not letting him entirely off the hook, though. He did kiss me and freak out about it. But it’s my pride that’s dented. Nothing more.
My cardboard Quinto in the corner of the living room is rolling his eyes.
I imagine, because if he were really doing that, I’d be checking myself into a hospital instead of glaring at him.
Don’t even start, buddy.
“Hey, while I’m thinking about it, do you know anything about Emerson Wayne’?”
I blink down at Tani, my brain rushing to switch gears. “That’s random. Isn’t he the one with the two boys?”
“That’s the sum total of your knowledge? The one with the two boys? And don’t call me random.”
I chuckle. “You’re right, that was too far. I don’t think I’ve seen him since I moved here. Why?”
She scowls, but her eyes shift away from mine. “I’m starting a fan club.”
“Lies.”
“Jae mentioned him,” she says uncomfortably, pushing her hair behind her ear. “Something about a custody kerfuffle and his possible need of our services. I’m looking into it.”
I sit up straighter. When did she talk to Jae? “Why didn’t he call me? I’m in town. I can go—”
“I’m on it,” she insists. “All you’re focusing on for the next few weeks is decorating the office, volunteering and dating. I mean it, or I’m calling your mother. She says hi, by the way.”
“I’m surprised she hasn’t called me already.”
“She’s giving you two weeks with no nagging as an early Christmas present. Her words. Joey, about my broth— What’s that noise?”
Hearing it too, I get to my feet. “Did someone order me a drum solo instead of a singing telegram?”
I can’t be sure, but I think someone might be at my door. There’s a rhythmic rat-tat-tat against it, growing louder the longer I take to reach it. There is more than one person making that racket. As I get closer, I hear singing and giggling on the other side and realize who it is. Rue and the baseball player.
I didn’t think he’d seek me out again. Not on purpose.
“Behave, T,” I say before taking a calming breath. Then I manage a smile as I open the door to a pair of matching grins and chin dimples.
I focus on the shorter knocker first. “Good morning, Rue.”
“Hi, Joey.” Her round cheeks are covered in flour, her light-brown hair tangled—and also liberally sprinkled—and framing familiar green eyes that are bright with impatient excitement. She’s wearing a purple sweatshirt with the Polynesian demigod and chicken from Moana. “You’re late.”
“What is he late for?” Tani asks.
Rue’s eyes go humorously wide and she looks down at my phone, tilting her head until she can get a good look at my best friend’s face.
“There’s a princess in your phone,” she whispers as if I might not be aware of it.
“Is that Rue?” I hear the smile in Tani’s voice. “The special neighbor I’ve been hearing so much about?”
I adjust my screen so they can get a better look at each other.
“I am Rue. Who told you?”
“I did, but how did you know she was a princess?” I ask in mock consternation. “I only found out when I discovered her secret tiara collection.”
We were sixteen. I can only imagine how many she has now. Maybe we’re both hoarders. It would make me feel better if it were true.
Rue steps over the threshold with her floury hands raised, only pausing when Elliot says, “You didn’t wash your hands, Rutabaga.”
“Sorry.” She whips her hands behind her back. “You have a tiara?”
“One for every day of the week.”
Rue looks up long enough to gift me with a glowing smile before I lose her to Tani’s allure. Kids are as drawn to her as they are to me, though for very different reasons. Most of the time they see me as an equal. Nonthreatening and amusing and someone they can trust. But one look at Tani and most get that same dazed expression Rue is wearing. When they see her heavy-lidded eyes, full lips and golden-brown skin—not to mention all the colorful pillows she currently has propped up behind her—they usually go directly to princess.
“My name is Tanisha. Can you tell me what our friend Joey is late for?”
Rue nods rapidly. “Pancakes. Daddy said I could make them, so I did. He flips, but I get to mix them. Do you want some? They’re so good I can eat five cajillion.”
I whistle through my teeth, thoroughly enjoying the conversation. “That’s a lot of pancakes.”
“I would love that,” Tani says. “But I’d have to get on an airplane and by the time I showed up, breakfast would be over.”