21
Thad was in the middle of packing when his cell phone rang.
“Sims,” Thad answered.
“Sims-Williams,” his sister replied.
“What’s up?” Thad asked.
“When were you going to tell me that you were on your way to New York for Up Early with Leah and Luke!” Nadia yelled so loud Thad was sure the neighbors across the street heard her.
“I’m on my way to New York for Up Early with Leah and Luke!,” Thad said. “There you go. Just told you.”
“You get on my very last nerve sometimes,” Nadia said. “Grams said you’ll be on the show Friday morning? I’m going to let the girls stay home to watch it live.”
“It’s not that serious. Definitely doesn’t warrant the girls skipping school. Hey, I can wear jeans and a T-shirt to a podcast, right? Those aren’t on camera or anything.”
“People wear jeans and T-shirts on nationally televised award shows, so I think you’re safe. Just don’t say anything that will make people question whether you’re a real human,” she said.
Thad pulled the phone from his ear and looked at it, even though they weren’t on a video call.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I say this with love, Thad, but you can come across as a bit of a robot sometimes. It’s not your fault; you’ve been conditioned not to have feelings.”
“Was that not supposed to sting as much because it was said with love?” he asked.
“Everything stings less when said with love. Oh, and don’t forget about Ree’s wedding in a couple of weeks,” his sister said. “I added a plus-one for you just in case you want to bring Von.”
It wasn’t unusual for Von to join him as his plus-one, but this time the thought settled in Thad’s stomach like a sour oyster. Maybe if he wasn’t such an unfeeling robot, he would have a better chance of bringing a plus-one who wouldn’t leave him at the first sight of a pretty woman in a tight dress.
Thad closed the lid on the carry-on with more force than necessary. The thing couldn’t hold nearly as much as his military rucksack.
Hadn’t he already decided this wasn’t the right time to get involved with anyone? That he needed to get settled and find his footing in New Orleans? If that’s what he was going with, he needed to stick to it. Especially after learning the only woman he was even remotely interested in had determined he wasn’t her type.
His grip tightened on the luggage handle. This was going to be the most frustrating three days of his life, without question.
Nadia started in on her friend Reshonda’s bachelorette party, which she was hosting in Sedona.
“I’m trying to convince her to take a road trip to Vegas, but Ree said she would rather go to the Grand Canyon! The Grand freaking Canyon. This is why I’m glad I got married in my twenties.”
“You can have a rocking good time at the Grand Canyon,” Thad said.
“Just for that joke, you’re getting a second pluck in the middle of the forehead the next time I see you. Now, before I go, you’re not keeping anything else from me, are you?”
Thad froze. What did Nadia know? Had the scammer tried to contact her? “Why would you ask that?” he asked.
“Uh, hello! Because you didn’t tell me about New York!” she said. “What is up with you?”
The tension ebbed from his shoulders.
“Nothing,” Thad said.
For a minute he considered telling her about the messages he’d been getting from the woman in Alabama. There had been three, so far, including the one he’d gotten today. She’d shared that she, too, was a budding entrepreneur, and that’s when he’d figured out her angle. She was going to ask for money to help get whatever business she had off the ground.
He’d shot back a quick reply, praising his grandfather’s business savvy and asking about her endeavors. He fully expected her to go in for the kill in her next message.
Thad checked his watch. He had twenty-seven minutes to meet Ashanti at the daycare. If he mentioned the scammer to Nadia right now, she would have him on the phone for at least an hour. He’d wait to tell her face-to-face. It would be more enjoyable that way.
“Nothing else to report,” Thad said, answering her question. “I need to finish up some stuff here, Nadia,” Thad said. “I’ll shoot you a text once I’m in New York and have more information about the TV show.”
“Sure you will,” his sister said. “Love you, Big Head.”
“Love you too. Kiss my nieces for me. And send them to school on Friday. You can record the show.”
“Nope. Bye,” Nadia said.
“Nad—” But she had already ended the call.
Thad wheeled his luggage from the bedroom and grabbed Puddin’s leash by the front door.
“You ready for this?” he asked the dog.
Puddin’ turned away from him and settled into his bed.
“Well, it’s too bad if you’re not,” Thad said, clipping the leash to his collar. “You and your girlfriend are the ones who got us into this.”
Just before walking out the door, Thad picked up Puddin’s alligator and stuffed it in the carry-on’s front compartment with his deodorant. He couldn’t chance Puddin’ chewing up everything in New York.