Page 72 of Almost Always

Great news! I’m free tonight. And I REALLY hope you are too.

Rafferty

I think I can clear up my schedule for you.

Hero

Good boy. Now, please note that I do not want flowers. I know that’s the standard first date thing or whatever. I have enough flowers.

He couldhearher saying that to him and he chuckled. He opened the drawer of his desk and pulled out the box he’d put there a few days ago.

Rafferty

Don’t worry. I’ve got the perfect gift for you already. You’re gonna love it.

Hero

And what if I don’t? I was taught never to lie.

Rafferty

Damn, you’re a hard one to please.

Hero

Not if you do it right.

Rafferty

It’s too early for this, darlin’. I need to get through my work day before you can torture and destroy me.

Hero

How does that one term sound good even in text? Maybe because I can hear you say it. God, I miss you.

Rafferty

You miss god or you miss me?

Hero

Smartass.

Rafferty

You won’t have to miss me too much. I’ll swing by at 6 to pick you up.

Hero

He went through his emoji list to find the perfect one for a reply when Cal’s voice echoed through the house.

“We’re dirty!”

Groaning, he tossed his phone on the table and padded out to where his son and dog were standing in the kitchen drinking water from their respective containers. A thick line of dirt started at their feet all the way to the back door. Hands on his hips, he shook his head at the two of them.

“You’re lucky you’re cute,” he told his son, who grinned wide and set his glass down.“Back outside with the two of you.”

Cautiously, like they hadn’t already made a total mess of the house, they walked outside. Cal stripped down to his underwear as Rafferty grabbed the garden hose and turned it on. Directing the water at them, he smiled as the excitement went up a notch. His son might not know how to modulate his voice when indoors, but the sound of him laughing always hit Rafferty in the chest. Once they were as clean as possible, he wrapped Cal in atowel and sent him upstairs for a proper bath, then dried Boots down.

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