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“Hey, wait a second.”
“Yeah?”
“Do I really look like shit?”
“Let’s see.” He opened the door. “You’re wearing a wrinkled ‘Best Dad Ever’ sweatshirt with jeans, and you literally just got to work.”
“So?”
“It’s five o’ clock in the afternoon, Pierce.” He stepped into the hallway and lowered his voice. “Okay, yeah. He’s definitely a clone…”
—
Too many lonely nights later
FORTY-EIGHT
PIERCE
“Mama called the doctor and the doctor said…No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”
Harlow’s voice floated down the hall, followed by the twins’ laughter.
What the…
“You want me to sing it one more time, Charlotte?” She laughed. “What about you, William?”
They giggled louder, and I stood up from my desk. I wasn’t sure how she managed to sneak into my condo since every person on my staff knew better, but I wasn’t paying her a dime for this unwanted visit.
“Five little monkeys jumping on the bed. One fell off and bumped his head…”
I peered through their bedroom door, ready to tell Harlow to leave, but she wasn’t there.
Olivia was playing a video of her via cell phone, and the twins were entranced.
I stood there watching them for what felt like forever—hearing them beg “More! More!” for incessant replays.
After their eighth request, I forced myself to step back.
“Something wrong, Mr. Dawson?” Jerry asked from behind.
“No, I’m fine.”
“You have a visitor downstairs.”
“Is it Harlow?”
“Who?”
“I mean, is it an embargo?” I tried to save face. “I’ve been expecting a huge delivery of mockups for the Jets’ throwback uniforms. Remember?”
“No.” He knew I was full of shit. “I’ve told this person time and time again to stop showing up, but he refuses. I’ve had the police issue a trespass warning twice, but I believe it’s best if you speak to him and let me know how to address it moving forward.”
“Can you ask Samantha to watch the kids while I’m gone?”
“She’s already in the kitchen making their bedtime snacks.”
“Thanks,” I said. “Is the visitor in the lobby or the lounge room?”
