Page 124 of Just for the Plot

“He’s right on that,” Graydon says, shifting in his seat.

“Wow, you actually agreed with me.”

“Make a big deal about it and I won’t do it again,” Graydon says, holding his annoyance at bay, at least for now.

“I’m taking this slow and being deliberate about how I handle this. I know she’s freaking out right now and I’m trying to keep her calm. I think pushing her any further than what we did last night wouldn’t have been good. I already saw the panic in her eyes after all was said and done. So I’m taking this one step at a time. I texted her this morning and asked her to hang out with me tomorrow.”

“What did she say?” OC asks.

“She said yes.”

“Well, then…that’s fucking great, right?”

“I think so. Like I said, I have to take this step by step. Keep letting her know that I’m interested, and then when the time is right, strike.”

“Seems like a good plan,” Graydon says.

“Really?” I ask. His approval means something, because he doesn’t fuck around like OC.

“Yeah.” He rubs the side of his jaw. “I could see this working out for you.”

“And when it does”—OC swirls his finger in the middle of us—“the Gladdy Daddies will be groomsmen.”

“I seriously hate you,” Graydon says on a groan, just as Gretchen walks in with Sharpies.

“No, you don’t. You love me.”

“He doesn’t,” Gretchen says, placing markers in front of all of us. “It’s hard to find someone who actually likes you.”

“Jesus Christ, woman,” OC says, absolutely offended. “You weren’t part of the conversation.”

“Don’t need to be a part of it to know the facts.” She plops a stack of pictures in front of each of us. “Now get signing.”

Bennett:Think you can record a video with me tomorrow for Gretchen?

Bower:Yeah, I can.

Bennett:Are you okay with being in it?

Bower:Does Gretchen want me in it?

Bennett:I think so. I can ask.

Bower:I doubt she wants me in it. But either way, I can help.

Bennett:What if I want you in it?

Bower:Sometimes we don’t always get what we want, Bennett.

Bennett:I don’t know. Seems like I’m getting the things I want lately.

Bower:Did you send me cupcakes?

Bennett:I did. Felt bad that I wrestled for yours.

Bower:There is half a dozen here.

Bennett:Yeah, heard there’s a cupcake thief in the building. Wanted to make sure you had enough in case they strike.