Page 214 of The Single Dads Club
“Now you’re thinking. Shit, maybe you should take her away for the weekend, make a grand gesture and all that,” Trent said. “Women love that shit.”
He was right. We needed the focus back on me and Bren. Start fresh. Someplace that was totally different from all the places we’d been when we were thinking we might become a family. A chance to start over.
I glanced down at the baby in my arms, then settled her back in her crib before I pulled my phone from my lab coat pocket.
“Trent, any chance you can cover for me today?” I asked.
Trent frowned. “Yeah, all right. Everything okay?”
I nodded. “Totally fine. I’m going to do it.”
“Do what?”
“Take Bren away.”
Trent chuckled. “I didn’t mean today, dude.”
“No time like the present.”
If she wasn’t answering my message, I had to send one she had no choice but to respond to.
With quick fingers, I typed,“Get ready. We’re leaving in an hour.”
Then, when I heard the chime letting me know the message had been sent, I called the zoo and asked to be transferred to the head of endangered animals. Then I waited until a clear, chirpy female voice filled the line.
“Mandy with the City Zoo. How can I help you today?”
“Hi, Mandy. This is Mason. I’m calling in reference to Bren Matthew’s schedule.”
There was a slight pause, and then she said, “What about it?”
“Well, I have a few questions. First, is she there today?”
“Not until this afternoon,” she replied slowly. “It’s her late night. Why?”
“Would it be possible to rearrange the schedule so that Bren didn’t come in to work for a few days? It’s important.”
Another pause. “Is this Dr. Bentley?”
“It is.”
Her next long pause made my gut tense, but then she spoke.
“I think I can manage that, Mason,” Mandy said. “I’m guessing it’s for a surprise?”
“It is.”
“Well, have fun and don’t let my girl tell you no. She can be stubborn.”
Relief shot through me at her words, but I was only halfway to the goal line. I still had no idea if my Hail Mary for a touchdown was going to backfire or win Bren over.
“I won’t.” I hung up the phone, then glanced at Trent. “I can reschedule my next couple days of appointments, but other than that, you’re sure you can handle things here?”
He nodded. “I’ll hold down the fort. Just text me your itinerary when you have one so I know when you’ll be back.”
The phone in my pocket chimed and I dug it out to find a response from Bren.
“Can’t. Work tonight.”
