Page 66 of The Do-Over

With one last desperate lurch of my heart, I channeled New Perci, Mimi, and anybody else who’d like to throw her hat in the ring, and opened the door. He looked even angrier without the door between us. My voice squeaked when I spoke. “I know you probably have some questions for me about… about the… the thing. The thing that happened with the thing. I know that was awkward, and I put you in a weird position.”

He held up a hand. “It was a—”

“I never expected you to even know about it. Which, I know, doesn’t make it any better. In fact, it makes it sound worse. Sometimes I don’t think before I say things and my mother knows how to get under my skin.”

“I just—”

“I know she loves me, but sometimes it’s really hard being her daughter. Anyway, thank you for playing along. You really sold it. I mean, that kiss was… awesome.”

Yep, that’s what I said.

He huffed a laugh and his eyes, more brown than green today, dropped to my mouth. The memory of that kiss slammed into me. “Do I look like someone who would do anything they didn’t want to do?”

A little warm shiver raced down my spine and pooled in my stomach. “No.”

“Don’t worry about it. But I do have a problem. It’s Lilah. She locked me out and I don’t have my phone or keys. Can I use your phone to call the manager?”

He hadn’t wanted to talk about the kiss at all. Which meant I’d just made a fool of myself. Again. I ignored the feeling of wanting to crawl in a hole and spend my life living with naked mole rats. “Of course. Sure. No problem.”

I pulled up the building manager’s number on my phone and held it out.

Phone to his ear, his gaze traveled the room before landing on me. I was acutely aware of my zebra-striped pajamas (thank you, Mimi), zero make-up, and messy nest of hair, while he radiated the cool carelessness of James-freaking-Dean in jeans and a white t-shirt.

Did I even have a bra on?

“Yeah, I’ll hold.” Nate wandered into the kitchen and paused in front of the refrigerator. I casually followed him to see what had caught his attention.

That stupid list of resolutions was still hanging right there for the world to see. Just the thought of him seeing those—the dating one or the one about being more confident. Oh. My. God. The weight loss one. He could not read that list. I reached around him and yanked the paper down. His eyes sliced in my direction, a question there.

“That was nothing.” I shoved the list into my cardigan pocket. “If you want, I can go talk to Lilah.”

He nodded and turned away when someone answered the call.

I padded down the hall and knocked. “Lilah? It’s Perci.”

After a long moment, a soft voice answered. “Hi.”

“Is everything okay? Do you need help or anything?”

A beat. “Where’s Daddy?”

“He’s in my apartment calling the manager for a key.”

Another beat. “Is he mad at me?”

“I don’t think he’s thrilled.”

Something thudded against the door. It sounded suspiciously like a small foot.

“But I bet if you let him in, he’ll get over it. I’m sure he’s just worried about you.” Crouching, I lowered my voice. “Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong and maybe I can help?” My question was met with silence. I slid to the ground in front of the door. “Okay, you don’t have to tell me. Guess what? I saw another cardinal.”

“You did?”

“Yep. It was on my back porch when I got home from work. Gave me a funny little look and flew off.”

“Does it make you feel happy? When you see it?” Lilah asked.

“Hmm. I’ve never thought about it. I guess it’s kind of comforting.”