Page 37 of A Royal Menace

Calliope Barnes is askingmefor help? Is the world ending? Did hell freeze over? Whatever the cause, I don’t care. My lips feel like they might split open, my smile is so wide.

Being around me this weekend obviously had a greater effect on Callie than I realized. She doesn’t just barely tolerate me. She might even like me, a little. And that makes me feel like a fucking king.

My thumbs fly over my phone’s screen as I reply to her email.

From: Me

To: Calliope Barnes

Subject: re: re: re: Dinosaur Impressions

Dear Adult Woman Who Longs to be a Child Again,

You think I’m fun? Of course, you do. I am, in fact, incredibly fun. And I’d be honored to help you plan your lessons for next week. You free on Saturday?

Sincerely,

Completely Sober Chicken Who Thinks You’re Fun, Too

My thumb hovers over the icon to send the email as my eyes scan the signature part of the message. Is it too much? Will Callie think I’m flirting with her?

AmI flirting with her?

I’m overthinking it. I tap the send button before I can change my mind. Maybe I was being flirtatious, but there were good intentions behind it. Callieisfun, and if she wants to learn how to incorporate that side of her personality into her classroom, I will help her.

Dropping my phone to the couch beside me, I stand and head into the kitchen for something to eat. Grabbing a snack-sized bag of pretzels from the pantry, I walk back to the couch and plop down. Before I open the bag, though, I pick up my phone and refresh my email.

A new message pops up, and I open it without wasting a second.

From: Calliope Barnes

To: Me

Subject: re: re: re: re: Dinosaur Impressions

Dear Questionably Sober Chicken,

*Insert eye roll here*

Fun, and oh, so modest about it, too. And yes, I’m free. Do you want to meet at my place around six? I’ll order some food.

Sincerely,

Callie Barnes, Adult Woman Who IS Fun, But Really Has No Desire to Go Through Puberty Again, Thank You Very Much

I bark out a laugh as I finish reading. I sober quickly, though, as I reread the body of the message. We’re having dinner? Is this a…date?

I shut the thought down, not ready to process my excitement over the prospect. Plus, it’s not a date. Callie’s just feeding me as payment for my help. Nothing more.

I shoot back a quick email telling her I’ll be there and asking for her address, since I don’t actually know where she lives. Then I drop my phone and open the pretzels before digging one out and popping it into my mouth.

Chewing slowly, I play that whole exchange over in my head. It makes me feel…good. After all this time, Callie and I are becoming friends. And that can only improve our working relationship. Weshouldbe helping each other like this.

We should have been all along.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Callie

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