Ceci sighed. “Yeah, about that …”
She told Pixel about the deal she’d struck with Roxanne.
Pixel nearly fell off the sofa laughing.
Ceci shoved her. “It isn’t funny.”
“You know, you never used to let him get to you.”
Ceci’s head virtually snapped as she turned to her friend. “What do you mean? Get to me? He doesn’t—hasn’t—gotten to me.”
“Okay, maybeget to youisn’t exactly the right way to put it, but in the past, we wouldn’t have been talking about him like this. You would have fun teasing him, make him feel awkward, he’d blush and eventually run away. But now it’s like you’re engaging with him.”
“That’s because he’s talking back. And sometimes he’s even been the one who instigates the exchange.”
Just then Boudica lumbered up. Pixel reached down to pet the English bulldog, but Boudica was more interested in what sat on the side table—a bag full of dog treats, as well as a collapsible water bowl, and poop bags. His leash sat beside the bag.
“What is Boudica’s leash doing here?” Pixel asked.
“He’s coming with. He’s my buffer.”
“Does—?”
“No, Sir Stick Up His Ass doesn’t know.”
“How do you suppose he’ll react?”
Ceci shrugged. “Hopefully, he’ll insist that Boudica can’t come along, given dogs aren’t allowed wherever he’s taking me, and that’ll be that, and then you and I and Boudica can go to The Montana Snowpocalypse.”
The Montana Snowpocalypse was an annual fair held in Cornhole. Ceci attended the festival for the first time last year with Pixel shortly after buying this house.
“Devious,” said Pixel. “And generally, a good plan—with any other man. But it won’t work with this one. He’s too much of a gentleman. If he’s planned on taking you someplace that won’t allow dogs, he’ll come up with something else.”
Pixel was right. Even his timing was impeccable because just then there was a knock at the door.
“Oh,” said Pixel, looking at her phone, “he may break out in hives over the prospect of arriving late, but he seems to have no problem arriving early. By five minutes.”
“Come on, Boudica,” said Ceci, heading to the door. “Get your cell phone camera ready, Pixel. I want you to capture his reaction when Boudica slobbers all over his Armani suit.”
Once at the door, she picked up the bulldog.
Pixel chuckled. “No one could ever call you subtle.”
Ceci swung the door open with enthusiasm and then blinked at the sight before her.
“Aunt Delilah! What are you doing here?”
“I should have thought that obvious. I’ve come to visit.”
“You never come to visit me here.”
“Now that is just blatantly false. I’m here now,” her aunt said, pushing past her. “I’ve left my luggage in my car. You can go out later to get it.” She rubbed noses with Boudica. “Hello, you handsome fella.” She glanced over at the sofa. “Hello, Piper. Here to offer moral support as well?” She didn’t wait for an answer. She turned to Ceci, clucking her tongue. “Using Boudica as a buffer, I see. Subtlety never was your strongpoint, dear.”
“How did you know I was here?” Ceci demanded.
“Felix told me.”
Felix was one of the doormen at her New York City apartment.
