Page 113 of Fraud
Liam held up his wine glass. “Did me a couple of favors as well.”
“Shut up.” I laughed.
We finished up our meal, feasting on every kind of pasta under the sun. It was truly divine, and even though I wasn’t completely on board with the whole birthday celebration, I appreciated the effort Kate was making on my behalf.
Even if it did include my brother.
“Did you happen to get his favorite dessert with that order, Kate?” Liam asked after we finished cleaning up our plates and placing all the leftovers in the fridge.
“No,” she said, looking at me with a curious gaze as she placed the last plate in the dishwasher. “What dessert might that be?”
“It’s not a big deal,” I said, and at the same time, my brother answered, “Ice cream cannoli.”
“Ice cream cannoli?” she asked, turning her attention to Liam.
He nodded. “Yeah, we used to visit this little ice cream parlor down the street every Sunday after church, and they made these cannoli that were to die for, but instead of stuffing them with cream, they’d fill them with chocolate chip ice cream. I’m pretty sure Killer here has eaten well over a million in his thirty years of life.”
“You’re not too far behind,” I said begrudgingly.
With a perplexed expression, as if she were figuring out a complicated algebra problem, Kate opened a drawer to her left and pulled out a menu for the restaurant we’d just ordered from.
“Hold on,” she said, grabbing her phone off the counter.
Liam and I waited, watching, as she held her finger up in the air, pausing our conversation.
“Yes, would it be possible to speak to a manager?” she asked politely. “No, there’s no problem. Yes, I’ll hold.”
“Babe, it’s not a big deal,” I said.
But her finger shoved further in my face.
“Hi, Mark,” she said brightly. “My name is Katelyn O’Malley. I was wondering if you might help me with a small favor.” She laughed. “Yes, that’s me. Of course I remember you and your wife.”
“Seriously, it’s—” I got shushed.
“That’s wonderful. I’m so glad he’s doing well. Of course, always happy to help. Anytime.”
Liam turned to me, and I shrugged.
“Okay, so it’s my boyfriend’s birthday.” She paused. “Thirty. I know; it’s a big one. Anyway, he failed to mention that one of his favorite desserts growing up is cannoli, which I know you make because I’ve eaten a few dozen in my lifetime, but this particular memory includes cannoli with ice cream.”
I shook my head, rubbing my forehead, as I began to pace. Her hand reached out for me, slowing my steps.
“I’ll be happy to pay whatever it costs,” she said, pulling me closer. “No, that’s fine. You have my credit card from earlier? Great. And you can deliver? Thank you, Mark.”
She set the phone down on the counter and rested her head on my shoulder.
“You’re too much,” I said, grabbing her waist as I turned her toward me.
“You’re worth it.” She grinned.
Liam simply shook his head and stepped out of the kitchen, allowing us a private moment alone.
“I think I’m going to take my brother home now,” I whispered, kissing the hollow of her neck.
“Why? The cannoli haven’t arrived!”
“I know,” I explained. “And, when they do, I want you in bed, so I can eat them off your naked body.”
