Page 157 of The Daddy P.I. Casefiles: The Second Collection
“Burns you, too.”
I nod. “It does, but you and your millions are a much more attractive target for Lumpstone and Bluett to sue. Enjoy the lawsuit and kiss your professorship goodbye. Maybe they’ll hire me as a temp.”
Lindy snorts. “I want you to be my TA.”
“What about poor Chad?”
“He can fetch us coffee.”
“Take that damn picture with my code down and that’s a deal.”
“Done.”
“You’re nowhere close to done,” De Leon says. “Ready for part two of your punishment or do you want to wallow in your success for a little longer?”
Lindy scratches the back of his head. “Wallow?”
“Such a brat,” De Leon grumbles.
“Feed me before you beat me?”
“You don’t need me for either activity,” I say. “I’m out.”
I open my laptop back up and pop off an email to Escher to let him know we’re done, an email to Cynnie to let her know it’s over and I’m on my way back to her, and one to Manny to let him know I’ll text him when I get to the airport.
“I’ll see you in class on Tuesday, right?” Lindy asks as he watches me pack up.
“Uh-huh.”
“Nachos after? I’m paying.”
“If you can sit down by then, I’ll have nachos with you.”
Lindy grins. “Can I get a hug?”
“Don’t push your luck.” I sling the strap of my bag over my shoulder.
De Leon comes around the table, holding out his hand. I shake. “Thank you. You’ve been a giant pain in my ass but, thank you.”
“Same. See you next Sunday.” He steps in and gives me a bro-hug. I slap his back before I move away.
“What’s on Sunday?” Lindy asks.
I shake my head at them. “I’ll leave you to explain.AskLogan before you even think about bringing him.”
thirty-one
I’mtired by the time my flight touches down at La Guardia a little after ten p.m. But I’m also mellow in a way I haven’t been since that drone flew by my window.
Am I crazy for thinking I could ever be friends with Lindy again? When I remember the terror of those moments after Cynnie pushed her panic button, it seems impossible to forgive him. But knowing now it was him, not some truly evil fucker who would have hurt Cynnie, the fear fades a little. I’m not ready to pay for his nachos, but I won’t turn down his invitation, either.
I hitch the strap of my bag higher on my shoulder and pull out my phone as I walk out of the gate, checking for a message from Manny as to where I should meet him.
Instead, I hear, “Oppa! Oppa!”
I look up from the screen and open my arms just in time to catch a flurry of little. “Baby!”
“Someone was too excited to wait,” Manny drawls, strolling up behind my bumble.
