Page 104 of Mr. B

“We don’t have to miss the whole day.”

“Cass, start the damn car. It was just last night that I was defending myself against the angry mob.”

“Of course. I don’t think it was a mob, though. A few…”

“Assholes?”

“Yes. But you’re right. You probably shouldn’t play hooky the day after that. Have you ever missed work?”

“Of course.”

“When was the last time?”

“Um…two years ago, I think. I had the flu.”

She started the car. “You’re very hard to compete with.”

“How so?”

“Well, because you’re perfect.”

“Not perfect, just slightly obsessively responsible. It’s kind of a pain, really.”

“I’m not sure you can be slightly obsessive. You either are, or you’re not.”

“Thank you, Dr. Jordan, for clarifying that.”

“Anytime.” She pulled onto the street. “My daughter informed me this morning that she’s aware of our…intimate relationship.”

“How does she feel about it?”

“Surprisingly accepting. It’s weird. I need to get her a guitar soon. Payment for keeping all of our secrets.”

“Sounds reasonable.”

“She didn’t ask. It was my idea.”

“We’ll go to the music store this weekend. I talked to Milo about the lessons. He said he’d love to, but he doesn’t have much time. He suggested I ask Luke.”

Cassandra laughed. “That’s probably not a good idea.”

“Why?”

“Bailey has a bit of a crush. Even though she won’t admit it.”

“Well, maybe that’s a good thing.”

“How so?”

“It would give us something to hold over her head.”

“Even so. I don’t think dangling a cute Buchanan brother in front of her is such a great idea.”

“It’d be kind of cool, though. My brother and your daughter.”

Cassandra pulled up to a stoplight and looked at him. “That wouldn’t be cool, Wes. It would be weird.”

“Yeah, maybe. If they fell in love and got married, she’d be my stepdaughter and my sister-in-law.”