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“I have not seen Bride of Frankenstein,” I admitted. “Read the book in high school, though.”
“Aw, they had books at the poor kids’ school? That’s good.”
“Oh, wow,” I said, switching my phone to the other ear. “You go from complimenting me to insulting me. Nice.”
“Had to balance it out.”
“I guess that’s what friends do.”
“Yeah. I—” He stopped, and his voice sounded distant when he said, “What are you doing up?” He told me to hold on, and I waited as he talked to Finley. It sounded like she got closer, and then there was a grunt like he was picking her up. “Guess who I’m talking to?”
I bit my lip as Finley said, “Who is it, Daddy?”
“Your teacher.”
She gasped. “Let me see.”
“Not on FaceTime, goofball.” And then, to me, he said, “Sorry, Kendall—Finley’s still awake, apparently.”
“I’m sorry. I should let you go so you can—”
“Uh, actually, she wants to say hi.”
Before I had a chance to respond, there was a breathy giggle on the other end. “Ms. Devin!”
I smiled. “Hi, Finley. Isn’t it past your bedtime?”
“Why are you talking to my dad?”
Wow. She didn’t waste any time getting right down to business. “Your dad is designing a t-shirt for school, and he had some questions. He’s a good artist, isn’t he?”
“Are you at school?”
“Nope, I’m at my house.”
“Do you live with a husband?”
“No… I live with my sister and her girlfriend.” I almost said friend, fearing this would lead to an awkward conversation for Mason, but it didn’t feel right to edit the truth. I kept talking so her curiosity wouldn’t linger. “And we have a grumpy, old dog named Titus.”
“Does he bite?”
“Sometimes,” I said, laughing. “He really hates me.”
“Can I see him sometime? I bet he’d like me.”
“Um—maybe,” I said. “I bet he’d like you, too.” I could hear Mason murmur something to Finley in the background.
“Dad says I have to go to bed,” Finley whined. “See you tomorrow, Ms. Devin.”
“Goodnight, Finley.”
I heard Mason tell her, “Go in there and pick out a book. A short one this time. I’ll be there in two minutes.” And then, to me, he said, “Sorry about that. She insisted.”
“No, don’t apologize. That was really sweet.”
“She really likes you,” he said. “She wants to be a teacher when she grows up because of you, which is a relief, because previously, she had her heart set on being a unicorn trainer.”
“I’m sure there’s more money in that.”
