Page 79 of Truth or More Truth
“Yes, she was in the hospital a few days longer than they expected, but she’s holding her own. She’s glad to be home in her own bed, though, without nurses waking her up every few hours.”
“Why do they do that in the hospital?” she asks. “It’s never made any sense to me, at least not for most patients.”
“I guess they want to be thorough.” I tap my fingers on my desk. “And maybe avoid malpractice lawsuits.”
“Spoken like a lawyer.”
I grin. “Did you expect anything less?”
“Can’t say I did.”
“Now, tell me how you ended up working for the team.”
“The short story is my dad has long-time connections with the team through both the Wrigley family and the Tribune. He was able to get me an interview, and I really hope I got the job because I’m qualified and not because of my dad.”
I shake my head. “I’m thinking your job history of working in HR on Wall Street more than qualifies you for the job, along with your Ivy League education. And you’re great at interacting with people of all kinds. They’d have been crazy not to hire you.”
“I appreciate you saying that.”
“I’m not just saying that,” I tease, echoing her words from earlier. “I mean it.”
“Thanks. And while I would love to talk to you all night long, it’s getting late here, and I need my beauty sleep.”
I take a second to weigh my words before saying, “You don’t need beauty sleep. You’re already stunning.” That sounds like a line, but I mean it with all my being.
She huffs out a laugh. “Wow, B.S., that was smooth.”
“Maybe so, but it’s true. It’s also true that you need sleep, though, so I’ll let you go.”
“Call me tomorrow night? I don’t have any plans after work, so I’ll be around all night, whenever you have time to call.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“How was your chat with Melissa last night?” Kelli asks as we’re driving to school Monday morning.
I cut my eyes to her for a moment. “How do you know I talked to her?” I’m surprised she didn’t ask me about Melissa the second she walked into the kitchen for breakfast.
She shrugs and smirks. “Because you liiiiiike her! Why would you wait?”
“OK, fine. I called her.” I don’t give her more details yet, because I know that will drive her crazy.
“Aaaaaaaaaand?” She sweeps an arm out as she says it.
“I guess we’re dating now.”
My daughter squeals and does a cute little shimmy in her seat. “Yesssss! When do I get to meet her?”
I sigh. “Not anytime soon. She lives halfway across the country, remember? And the two of us need to get to know each other better before I spring you on her.” I shoot her a grin. “I’m afraid once she meets you, she might keep dating me just because you’re such a great kid and not because she likes me.”
Her cheeks turn pink at the compliment. “You’re pretty likable, too.” She raises an eyebrow at me. “Except when you’re being a jerk.”
I clap a hand over my heart. “Ouch.”
“If the shoe fits, grumpy pants.”
I reach over and give her a playful shove on the shoulder. “I love you, kiddo.”
“Love you, too. But I’d love you more if you let me meet your girlfriend soon.” She barks out a laugh. “Dude, it’s weird you have a girlfriend.”
