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He comes to pet Pancake and Theo, who are in their normal spots, napping.
“What’s on your mind, Paige?”
I say the first thing that comes to mind because I’m so nervous. “I was just thinking that it would be cool if Pancake could talk. I mean, I feel like he would have a lot of things to say with creative cursing.” I raise my eyebrows.
Preston seems to consider this a few seconds, then breaks into laughter. “Paige, why are you being weirder than usual? It’s just me.”
When he says that, I laugh. “I don’t know. I just am.”
“Well, stop it. You’re makingmenervous.”
“What are we doing, Preston?”
“What do you think we’re doing?” He starts kissing me again until I almost slide off my chair. He reaches down and braces me with his hands. “I won’t let you fall, Paige.”
I sigh and lean my forehead against his.
He kisses me once more, then smirks. “Oh, and I found the problem with the printer,” he says. He holds up a paperclip and flicks it onto my desk and saunters back to his office.
I had photographed a paper clip and put the paper back into the printer so that when he printed something, he would get a paperclip imprint on every page and think there was a paperclip stuck somewhere in the machine. I watched him struggle with that for the past week, and it was hilarious. My best prank yet.
“There’s the asshole I know.” My hand goes to my lips, thinking of his kiss. “I hate you,” I call after him.
“I hate you less,” he shouts back. “Oh, and be ready at six tonight,” he adds.
“What’s at six?”
“We’re going on a date.”
A date. A zing of anticipation and nervousness goes through my heart because he’s right. We have changed everything. And I can’t say I mind. I like this.
27. preston
Monday Morning
“What doyou want to do for lunch today?” she asks from the doorway. “Pizza, burgers, sandwiches—”
“I know what you’re doing, Paige,” I say without looking up from the email I’m typing. “You’re trying to get information about where we’re going tonight out of me.”
“Ugh, why do you have to be so smart and know things?” she huffs, turning and heading back to her desk.
Just to ruffle her more, I text her: I ordered lunch. It’ll be here in twenty.
Paige: Why are you like this?
Preston: Why are YOU like this?
Paige: What are you going to do about it?
And that’s the challenge I needed. I head to the front, where she’s talking to Pancake.
“I just don’t know why they would treat him like that, Pancake. I’m going to make it my personal mission to make sure he feels loved and respected. Screw those assholes,” she says softly, petting his head.
“Do you expect him to answer?” I tease from the doorway.
“Pancake is the best listener; I’ll have you know. He gives sound advice.” She tilts her chin up at me like she’s challenging me.
“I guess he’s all right. For a raccoon.”
