Page 97 of RomeAntically Challenged
“Is that why you became a photojournalist? Because of that album?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “But I’m sure it had something to do with it.”
“Maybe we can make one for me. With pictures of you, mom, me, all of us.”
“It can be our thing,” he said, and she looked confused. “You know,our thing.” He wiggled his upper body in a total dad move. “You go to Gray for some things and Levi for others. Maybe this album can be something that we do together.”
“If you say so, but I’ve always wanted to know how to take pictures like you do, so this will be fun.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek, and Emmitt’s world was back to normal.
“Oh, I had coffee with a couple of your friends’ moms the other day,” he said.
She clasped her hands and bounced on her toes. “And?” “And it looks like they are all fine with the party being here if you still want it.”
She covered her mouth. “Seriously?”
“Once they got to know me and learned that Annie is going to be here, they were okay with the whole thing.”
“That’s awesome. And Annie’s okay with it?”
Play the honest card, buddy.
“I was thinking we could both ask her over pizza. Butter her up with pepperoni and green olives, then finish it off with vanilla ice cream—I’ll get you a tub of sugar free.”
“Regular vanilla is fine. I was just being a jerk,” she admitted. “You said you guys aren’t dating.”
“We’re not.”
“But you want to?”
“Oh yeah,” he said, shocked at how excited he was by the idea of a potential relationship. Usually, if a woman even said exclusive, he’d break out in a sweat.
“I didn’t mean what I said in the car the other night, but I do know that she’s different from anyone else I’ve ever seen you with, and it’s clear she likes you, which is why—”
“Really? Go back. Define like. Like, she likes me, or shelikesme?”
“If you’re asking, you already know. And if you’re asking, it means you know she’s special, because you never ask me about girls. Ever. So here’s my advice, Dad.” She grabbed his cheeks and squished them together, making his lips pucker. “Don’t Sam all over this and blow it with a cool chick.”
“That’s the plan.”
“Good. Oh, I meant to ask you, would you be my date for the dance?”
He stood. “Absolutely. Yes and yes. All the cookies in the world yes. Do you have a dress? Can I buy you a dress?”
“First, I’m going dress shopping with Owen. Second, you’re so lame.”
He pointed to his smile. “This is called being honest. And speaking of honest, maybe I should text Gray and Levi while you’re in the shower and let them know.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Kidding. Kind of. Not really.”
“Just so you know, I’m going to ask Gray and Levi too, since this is a father-daughter dance and all three of you are my dads.”
“Of course.” He pulled out the recipe box from the cabinet and set it on the island.
“But Dad, I asked you first.”
“I know!” He high-fived the air, and once again she rolled her eyes. “Can I always be number one?”
