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Eyes wide, I mutter a stunned, “Uh-huh, well, I need to get back to work now, Marjorie. And forget about that Philly cheesesteak. I forgot I have other plans for lunch.”
“What plans? Do you need me to—”
“Goodbye,” I say, standing and crossing the room in three long strides. “I’ll let you know if I need anything else.”
She starts to speak but I close the door in her face and lock it for good measure. I’m not usually the kind who would even consider doing something that rude at the office, but Jesus…
The woman is unhinged. I was born and raised in Minnesota. An offer to bring a man Hot Dish—a casserole filled with meat, cheese, sin, and topped with tater tots—is a sign that things are getting serious. I know people who have been dating for years who still haven’t moved on to the “she brought over Hot Dish” stage of courtship.
I have to do something to make it clear to Marjorie that I’m not on the market and that she absolutely should never come by my house with a casserole dish or anything else, but that will have to wait until I finish this report.
I dive back in, my focus undisturbed until twelve-thirty, when Tatum sends another update on Sarah Beth’s day, a short video showing me the “ants on a log” they’re making for lunch. Celery with peanut butter in the middle and raisin “ants” on top sounds revolting, but my daughter is beaming as she lines up her ants and flashes me a double thumbs up.
I love that Tatum does this, that she makes me feel like I’m included in their day, that I’m not missing out because I have to work a full-time job that keeps me away from my kiddo Monday through Friday. These texts don’t feel like interruptions; they’re fuel that keeps me going, reminding me why I work so hard.
I’m doing it for her, my baby, so she can have a safe, warm house, vacations in the summertime, and a college fund so she won’t be paying off loans until she’s thirty. Thanks to a killer score on my LSAT, I received a full ride to law school, but I had debt from undergrad until just last year.
I don’t want that for Sarah Beth. I want her life to be as easy as I can possibly make it and I’m willing to sacrifice for that. I just don’t want to miss out on watching her grow while I do it. Until I few days ago, however, I did.
But now that Tatum’s here, I suddenly feel like I get to do both—be the hardworking provider and the dad who’s looped in on the fun.
I’m feeling pretty damned lucky until one o’clock, when a loud knock on my door once again startles me out of my seat. I turn to see Marjorie staring in through the long thin window on the side of door with a big grin. “I brought you a sandwich anyway,” she says, holding up a grease-stained bag. “You have to eat to keep up your strength to keep lawyering like a boss, Andy.”
On impulse, I discreetly grab my cell phone and call Tatum, pretending I was already on the phone as I turn back to Marjorie and lift a hand. “I’ll get it in a second Marjorie, I’m on a call. Just leave it outside the door.”
Before she can respond, I turn back to my computer screen. A beat later, Tatum answers with a bright, “Hello, Mr. Dad, how’s your day at work so far?”
I hear Sarah Beth giggle in the background and smile again, even though I can feel Marjorie behind me, still watching, waiting, clearly hoping I’ll be off the call soon and she can hand deliver the cheesesteak.
Probably along with more unwanted flirtation.
“Work is good. I’m nearly done with my environmental report and only have two meetings this afternoon,” I say, dropping my voice as I add, “But I’m having a little trouble with the new temp. She’s being a little…aggressive.”
Tatum makes a concerned sound. “What? How so?”
“She um… She offered to bring me a casserole and said she knows where I live.”
Tatum laughs. “Oh my. Did you tell her you don’t date your employees?”
“I did,” I say, starting to regret reaching out to Tatum about this, considering our history, but she’s the only woman I trust to give me advice without running back to tell my mom about it. My sisters are great, but they all love to gossip, too. It apparently runs in the McGuire women’s blood. “But she said she was a temp and basically insinuated I was free game in a few weeks when she moves on to her next job. I had to shut the door in her face to get her out of my office.”
