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“Yeah.” I bite my cheek. “How are things in Chicago?”
“Things in Chicago are good,” he says slowly. “Working on a big case that should make me partner if it lands in my favor. Fingers crossed.”
“Crossing all toes. What’s the case?”
“You’ll read all about in the press soon enough, I’m sure.”
“I’ll keep an eye out, then.”
“And you?” he asks. “I assume you didn’t call me up just to talk about me?”
I take a deep breath. “Actually, no. I wanted to extend an invitation to you. It’s a little short notice. Well, about a month out, but still, it’s all right if you can’t make it. You’re under no obligation to say yes.”
“Okay. Invitation for what?”
I close my eyes as I force the words out. “My daughter’s birthday.”
“Your daughter?”
“It’s a long story, Lance.”
“I’ll bet. You got a picture?”
“Yeah, hold on.” I look at my phone and swipe through the photos until I land on one I took the other day in this very kitchen. Little Charlotte sits on the counter with flour dust sprinkled on her cheeks next to Anna. Both smile right into the camera. Right at me.
I push send. “Should be coming in now,” I say into the phone.
Lance’s phone pings and my chest clenches for a few seconds.
“Well, she’s adorable,” he finally says.
I laugh. “Yeah, she is.”
“What’s her name?”
“Charlotte,” I answer, beaming. “She’s four going on twenty, man. It’s crazy how smart she is. I didn’t even know kids could be smart, you know?”
“And who’s the pretty lady?” he asks.
“That…” My heart skips. “That is Anna, her mother. My… my fiancée. As of this morning, actually.”
“Wow…” he says slowly. “Sounds like things are really coming together over there for you, Milo.”
“Jake,” I correct him.
“Is that right?” he asks, audibly smiling.
“Yeah, that’s me,” I say. “Look, I’ll fill you in on everything some other time, but you should come out to Boston next month, if you can. I’d really like for you to meet them.”
“Boston, eh?” he asks.
“Boston,” I repeat. “Been here a few years now.”
“Well, Jake, I’ll have to check my schedule, but I’m sure I can work something out.”
“Awesome,” I say, sighing quietly. “Thank you.”
“And if you guys are ever in Chicago, let me know,” he adds. “We’ll get dinner.”
