“You know what? I’m taking it back.” She attempted to swipe the figurine from his hands. He held it above his head, laughing as she jumped to try to reach it. “I’m giving it to Josh.”
Blake stilled. “Who’s Josh?”
“My cousin.”
He relaxed. “Well, Josh will have to do without because Blake Jr. is mine.”
“Of course you named it after yourself. How narcissistic can you be?”
“Very. Now stop trying to take him back, or you’re not getting your thank you present.”
That caught her attention. “What’s my present?”
“Whatever you want it to be.”
“That’s the laziest answer ever.”
“Yet it works. Would you rather have something you want or something someone else thinks you want?”
Farrah frowned. “Good point. Fine. I want dinner. A good dinner. I’m starving.”
“That’s it?”
“You want me to ask for your firstborn, too?”
“If you want to raise him or her for me, sure.” Blake shrugged. “In the meantime, dinner it is, milady.”
“I’ll change.”
“No. You should wear those PJs out. They’re cute.” He tried to keep a straight face. He failed.
“Shut up.” Farrah spun on her heels and marched toward the stairs.
“I’m serious. They are cute!” Blake yelled after her.
She flipped him the finger without turning around. “Meet me in the lobby in ten.”
Blake was still chuckling when he tucked the elephant into his desk drawer. He changed into street clothes and pulled out his phone to ask Luke for a rain check when a message from his friend popped up.
Can’t make it tonight. Homestay fam made dinner for me.
Sometimes the universe aligns.
Cool. Next time.
On Blake’s way to the lobby, he passed by Zack and Scott, who sported dark tans from their week backpacking in Vietnam. Flo was downstairs, surrounded by a pile of shopping bags stamped with Korean characters. She was showing off what looked like a pack of Jason masks to her friends.
Hmm. That reminds me, Halloween is coming up.
“I’m ready!”
Farrah bounded down the stairs in a coat, jeans, and boots. A scarf wrapped around her throat; gloves covered her hands.
It was
sixty degrees outside.
“I didn’t realize we’re going to Siberia for dinner.”