Chapter 22
FLIP
“Thanks for coming over.” I usher Dred into my apartment. It’s finally my date night with Tally. I fight a frown as Connor follows her in like an annoyed, threatening shadow. “I didn’t realize you were coming, too.”
“It’s my wife’s day off. I go where she goes.” Connor’s tone implies I’m an idiot for not realizing this.
I plaster on a smile. “If you’re hungry, I have everything you need to make yourself a ham and cheese sandwich.”
Connor flips me the bird. “Go fuck a T-shirt, Madden.”
“Are you offering yours?”
“Stop being a brat. Both of you.” Dred kisses her husband’s jaw.
“But then your attention won’t be on me, darling.”
“This won’t take long. Then you can go back to being Dred’s sole focus,” I assure him.
“Untrue. We’re taking the twins to the movies tonight, so Mildred’s focus will be very divided, much as it is now.”
Connor crosses to the fridge and pulls out an ancient Tupperware jug.
He opens it, peers inside, and sniffs the contents.
Then he rummages around in my cupboards for a glass.
Dred could help him if she wanted, since she knows where everything is, but she lets him fend for himself.
Probably to keep him occupied for five seconds.
“Let’s get you dressed.” Dred motions to my bedroom.
“I have two potential suit options. I’m taking Tally to the aquarium and we’re having dinner with the sharks.”
“Seems fitting,” Connor calls.
“Feel free to keep your thoughts to yourself,” I retort.
“So happy to see you two getting along,” Dred deadpans. “Tally will love the aquarium. She’s forever watching the Shark Week documentaries.”
“And then regretting it on ocean vacations,” I add.
“So true, but she pushed through when we went to Aruba.”
“Exactly. And it’s a huge step up from keg parties and chain restaurants, without being overwhelming.” I want this date to be special, without being over-the-top.
“It’s fun, outside the box, and it shows you know what she likes.”
“That’s the goal.” Running into not one, but two past hookups after our last game sucked.
We navigated that stressful situation, but I’d like to avoid another one tonight.
On the upside, almost all of my previous hookups have been met at bars, so the aquarium seems safe.
“I’ll just change into my suit and get your seal of approval, yeah? ”
“Sounds great.”
I change while she and Connor wait in the living room.
“The suit’s a little understated,” Connor notes.
He wore a maroon tux for his wedding, so I’ll take his opinion with a grain of salt.
“Flip doesn’t need to piss off his sad, beige parents the way you do.” Dred pats his thigh and gives me a thumbs-up. “You look great.”
“Cool.”
“This stuff reminds me of the orange drink Meems loves from McD’s.” Connor swirls the liquid in his cup.
“It’s Tang.” I cross to the cupboards, pull out a packet, and toss it to him. I buy it by the twelve pack, so I feel comfortable parting with one. “You can blow her mind with this. I add an extra cup of water. Otherwise it’s too sweet.”
“Thanks.” He inspects it for a moment, then tucks it into his pocket. “Did you buy Tally a dress for tonight?”
“No. I didn’t want to scare her off by coming on too strong.” I adjust my tie and check my reflection one last time. “But I did stop by the Dutch Toko for dropjes, and I bought her flowers.”
“What are dropjes?” Connor asks.
“Salty and sweet black licorice. They’re her favorite,” I explain.
Connor seems skeptical. “People enjoy that?”
“Tally does.” I prefer the sweet ones exclusively, especially when they’re candy coated. “Okay. I’m ready. Any words of wisdom?”
“Tally’s used to university boys who think a keg party constitutes a date, so you’re already ahead of the curve.” Connor removes Dred’s glasses, cleans them and replaces them.
“I better be ahead of the fucking curve. Especially where the last guy she dated is concerned.”
“No one liked him.” Dred wrinkles her nose. “Just be your charming self.”
“And keep the focus on Tally,” Connor adds. “She’s used to being around people who want her for the wrong reasons, or guys who already have too much ego. Whatever she wants, she gets.”
“Except for one thing,” Dred chimes in.
“What thing would that—” Connor’s brow lifts. “—never mind. I already know the answer. Agreed. The only thing you should withhold is your favored appendage.”
“Thanks for the solid advice.”
“Anytime. I highly advise waiting until you at least get past date five,” Connor tacks on.
“Is that how long you and Dred waited?” I hold up my hand when he opens his mouth. “I don’t actually need an answer to that.”
I gather the flowers and dropjes, and Connor and Dred join me in the elevator.
“You’ll be great. You’ve been friends for years. You’re just taking it to the next level now.”
I drive across town to Tally’s apartment and park in the temporary spot in front of her building, which miraculously opens up the second I arrive. I don’t have a chance to go up and get her, because she’s stepping off the elevator as I enter the building.
She’s wearing a stunning ice blue dress, her jacket slung over her arm, hair falling in artful waves over her shoulders. Her eyes light up when she sees me, then cloud with worry as she takes in the bustling, student-filled space.
I close the distance between us and cup her cheek in my palm. “You look concerned, kitten, is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I just thought I’d meet you outside so you don’t have to deal with all of this.” She motions to our surroundings.
“I can’t see anything but you.” I brush my lips over hers and barely resist the urge to deepen it. I step back and take her hand, gaze roving over her. “You’re a vision. Is this dress new?”
She shakes her head. “I went shopping in Fee’s closet.”
“Well, I love this on you.” I hold up the flowers. “And it matches these perfectly.”
“They’re beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Holy fuck. I think that’s Flip Madden.”
“Where?”
“The guy in the suit.”
“We should go if you don’t want to get mobbed,” Tally whispers.
“Let me help you with your coat,” I offer as she slides one arm through and I circle her to assist with the other, quickly freeing her hair as she fastens two buttons. I wrap a protective arm around her, and steer her toward the doors, giving the Tilton Hockey guys a chin tip as we pass.
A group of guys check out my ride as I guide Tally to the passenger side and help her in. I use my body to shield her as I adjust her dress to make sure the hem won’t get caught in the door, as I close it, protecting her from prying eyes.
“Dude, that’s Flip Madden.”
“No way. What would he be doing here?” one guy scoffs.
It makes me edgy to think about the questions people might ask once we’re public. But this is a first date. One step at a time.
I take my place behind the wheel, closing myself in with Tally. I quickly buckle my seat belt and pull away from the curb before the guys think to swarm my car. It’s happened before.
“Did those guys recognize you, too?” Tally inspects the bouquet of blue and white blossoms.
“Yeah. I should probably rotate my cars to keep it fresh,” I reply.
“You’re also dressed in a suit, so you kind of stand out among the hoodie and jeans crowd.”
“And you don’t?” I give her a lingering once-over. “Seriously, you’re killing me, already.”
“I didn’t even do anything.”
“Stop looking so tempting.”
She widens her eyes. “Only if you stop being so devastatingly handsome.”
“Is that how you would describe me?” I ask.
“Depends on who I’m describing you to, I guess.”
“So it changes according to the audience?”
“Absolutely. Like I’d tell my granny you’re handsome, but I’d tell my friends you’re fuckhot, one word, not two.”
“Is there a dictionary definition to go with that?”
“Yeah, it’s the fire and heart eyes emojis.”
I laugh and her grin widens.
“I like it.”
“It suits you, I think.”
“Mm.” I set my hand palm up on the center console and she slides her delicate fingers into it. “How was your day?”
“Good. Long because I’ve been waiting all day to see you. How was yours?”
“The same. I tried to read after practice, but I couldn’t focus.”
She shifts so she’s facing me. “How do you like the new book?”
“It’s wickedly addictive.”
“Right?” Her eyes light up. “I would have died if I had to wait a whole year between books. Thankfully I stumbled on it when it was complete, so I didn’t have to languish in despair over the cliffhangers.”
“You didn’t say anything about a cliffhanger when you gave it to me.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll have the next one ready for you.”
“You should just give it to me now, so I don’t have to languish in despair,” I bargain.
She tosses her hair over her shoulder. “But then I won’t have any leverage.”
“What would you need leverage for?”
She shrugs. “It never hurts to have a bargaining chip.”
“And you think I’m the evil one? You know I live for those dog-eared pages.”
She rolls her bottom lip between her teeth. “Are they your favorite?”
“You know it.”
“Tell me why.”
“Because I get these little glimpses of what makes you tick.” I kiss the back of her hand. “They’re yours and you trust me with them. They’re pieces of you.”
Everything about her softens. I want more of these unguarded moments with her.
I turn in to the aquarium parking lot, and Tally’s whole face lights up. “Oh my gosh, Flip! The axolotl exhibit! Fee mentioned it last week, and I looked them up and they are literally the most adorable little things in the universe. Plus, sharks! This is so exciting!”
I love that I got it right. “I thought you might like it.”
“I love it!”
I pull up to the valet and shift the car into park. I cup her chin in my palm and lean in until her breath breaks across my lips. “Would you like me to kiss you while we still have privacy, kitten?”
“Yes, please,” she whimpers softly.
I brush my lips over hers. “Say it again.”
She exhales shakily. “Please, Phillip.”
“So fucking sweet.” I slant my mouth over hers, stroking inside, tasting her, exploring her mouth as her nails bite into my wrist and she mewls softly.
I break the kiss before her hands start to roam. “Wait here.”
She blinks at me, dazed as I exit the car and raise a hand, signaling for the valet to wait. I round the hood and he opens the door, stepping aside so I can offer Tally my hand as she rises.
I guide her up the steps and into the building. We head directly for the coat check.
I cover her hands. “Let me.”
She tips her head in question.
“I want to savor every minute with you.” I bend until my lips are at her ear. “And this is like unwrapping the perfect gift.”