They all nodded mutely.

“And Randy?” Keith asked, still a bit dumbfounded. 

“Is no longer allowed to play our tables. He should be banned from all tables in the city if we can manage it.” I winked. “I had to promise something to get her to let me in last night. After that, it was easy to convince her to be mine.”

Now they laughed. This part of me they were familiar with. 

Keith kicked more clothes over and stood next to me as we ascended toward the office.

“This is a change. I thought you were going to kill her.”

“Honestly, I planned many ways to do just that. She knows it too. But the minute her eyes met mine, all the fight bled out of me.” I shook my head. “I don’t get it, but I’m done fighting it.”

Keith squeezed my shoulder. “I’m happy for you. You look happy.”

“I am happy. Oh, and she was awake that night when you were in there. She said no more spying.” I shrugged and walked out. “Sorry.”

He grumbled sarcastically. “You saying I need to find my own entertainment?”

“Yep, you can’t have mine.”

He followed me into the office like a loyal puppy. “You two still forget about the world when you are together?”

I laughed as I opened my laptop, knowing where he was going with this. “You are going to get me in trouble, and I just got her. “

He shrugged, not really caring.

I sat down at my desk, preparing to catch up on a lot of work we hadn’t been able to do. My new (soon to be spare) phone dinged with a message. I didn’t recognize the number, but something told me that was okay.

Unknown: I should have taken you up on your offer.

I laughed.

Me: And what offer was that?

Unknown: To stay in bed.

“Who is it?” Keith tried looking over my shoulder at my phone. “An unknown number?”

“Yes, we didn’t exactly get around to swapping numbers. We were busy sorting out other things. My girl is too smart though.” I quickly updated the name and saved her number.

Me: It’s not too late. Run to the bathroom, pretend to throw up, and I will be there in a few minutes to pick you up. What street is your building on again?

MyPrincess: har, har, har, Nice try. 

Me: What’s wrong? 

Keith tapped my shoulder a few times, and I absentmindedly moved out of the chair so he could take it. 

MyPrincess: I hate Mondays.

The laugh just came out of me like a bomb exploding, making Keith jump. He jumped even higher when Jorge burst through the door.