5. Milo

Chapter 5

Milo

I’m floating on a cloud of bliss between wakefulness and sleep. The birds chirp happily outside. I’m still wondering if yesterday really happened. Did flower Daddy really move in next door and ask me on a date or was that all just a dream I made up after I went shopping with Rory?

My phone buzzes to life and I move to turn off the alarm, only it’s not the alarm. Rory’s face grins back at me from the screen. I slide the button to take his call.

“You have to tell me what happened last night!”

“Good morning, Rory.” My voice is rough from sleep.

“ Gah ! I need the tea!”

My brother laughs in the background, and Rory turns his head to talk to him. “Don’t be a spoilsport. MyMy needs a Daddy and flower Daddy might be the one.”

I snort. “I have no idea if he’s the one, but we had a lovely evening.”

“Come on, more, please!”

I snuggle back into my blankets. “Really, it was…”

“Yes?”

“Like a date. We ate his leftover pizza together and talked. Then we went to his place, and we were going to put up all the prints Izzy bought for him, but by then it was so late we couldn’t bang on the walls.”

Rory snickers. “Bang on the walls.”

“We’re going on a date tonight.” I squeeze my stuffed dragon.

Rory squeals in my ear, and I know he’s bouncing. That’s what he does when he’s so excited. His other bestie, Rowan, named him Rory Rabbit because of it and the name is fitting. “AHHHHhhhhHHHHhhHHhHhHh! I’m so excited!”

Jacob laughs again. “Probably not as excited as Milo is.”

“No no. Of course not, and I already have my perfect Daddy.” The sound of their kiss comes through the line. “I’m just so excited that Milo is inching closer, you know?”

I shake my head even though they can’t see me. “We don’t know that. But I know he’s attracted to me and we’re going on a date.” I nod sharply, as if to make it real. Clay is attracted to me . It still makes my head spin.

“MyMy MyMy MyMy,” Rory singsongs the nickname he gave me. “What are your plans today?”

I yawn and check the time. “It’s eight. I’m going back to bed for a few hours.”

“Fair point. I wanted to catch you before I went to the shop.”

“You can just roll out of bed and go downstairs.”

“Yeah, but if I stay in bed until the last minute, then I miss seeing Jacob before he goes to work.” His voice is all pouty and I just know his bottom lip is pushed out and he’s making some kind of eyes at my brother. They’re perfect for each other and I love Rory and his family so much.

“Anyway, to answer the question, I have a commission I’m going to work on for a little bit. The publishing company gave me a generous deadline. Then who knows?” I could surprise Clay with coffee or something in a few hours.

“Oh! Is this the fantasy cover?”

“Yeah, I’m really loving how it’s turning out.”

“Can’t wait to see it! Okay, I’ll let you go. You’ve satisfied my curiosity for now . Kisses!”

“Talk to ya later, Rory.”

He hangs up and I check my alarms to make sure they’re set, then cuddle my dragon closer and pass out again.

Or at least try to.