Page 27 of Sweet Caroline
Shit, you got a butler too?
Me
Very funny. No butler. And I only have a driver for events like this.
Miles
Wow. I think you just out-fancied yourself.
Am I in over my head here?
Me
I told you it was black tie!
Don’t make me use the facepalm emoji!
Miles
Whoa there, holster those big guns, partner. I told you I clean up nice!
The mental image of Miles in a tux swims back into my mind, and I bite my lip.
Miles
Don’t stress. I can dofancy.
Can he, though? I’ve only ever seen him in gym clothes or dirty construction gear.
Oh, God. What if he thinksfancymeans clean jeans and a flannel?
I need to relax. He’s not clueless; the way he stood up for me at the gym proved that much. And the internet exists; he can find guidance on how to dress if he needs it. I don’t need to micromanage his clothing choices.
But my uncertainty gets the better of me, and I tap out another text.
Me
If you have any trouble figuring out what to wear, I can help.
Miles
Are you kidding? I’ve already got my monocle polished and my top hat…
What?My shoulders tense. I’m pretty sure he’s joking. But, at the same time, I’m not entirely sure.
Miles
…brushed. Did you know that’s how you clean a top hat? Had to look it up.
His next text is a winky face emoji.
I drop my shoulders in relief.
Okay. Definitely joking.
Just to be sure, I fire back another text, aiming for a far more casual tone than I can muster right now.
Me
