Page 17 of Time Served in New York
“Where exactly are we going today?” I asked after I’d kissed Blue goodbye and joined the guys downstairs.
“Anywhere but that planning meeting they’ve got going on, and we’ve got to go try on our suits and tuxedos,” Bug said as he nodded at the doorman.
“They’re not really planning anything,” Santa admitted. “Frankie just got them all together by saying that. She’s gonna butter them up and make them go shopping.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the devious look Santa shot me as he got into the Town Car. As I crawled in behind him, I said, “You mean butter your sister up soshe’llgo shopping.”
“Brea’s not all that into it either,” Chef admitted.
Bug shook his head and sighed. “Maylee thinks it’s an Olympic sport.”
“I’m pretty sure my old lady would take home a gold medal if it was,” Santa said with a knowing look.
“Matalie has her days,” Captain agreed. “Especially when it comes to shoes or shit for the grandkids.”
“My girls can spendhoursshopping and come home with two fucking bags. You’d think they’d have a little more to show for all that effort.”
Boss’s bark of laughter interrupted Kitty before he said, “Youwantthem to spend more money?”
“Hell no, I just don’t know what the fuck they’re doing at the mall for so long when all they come home with is one or two things.”
“Son, I’m not sure how to tell you this, but they’re not at the mall to shop,” Hammer said earnestly.
“Then what the fuck are they doing there for hours?”
“Kitty, there comes a time in a young man’s life when he realizes the best place to pick up girls is at the mall,” Hook explained with a grimace. “So if the girls are at the mall for hours and there are boys at the mall for hours . . .”
“They go to the mall to see boys?” Kitty asked, the horror obvious on his face.
“And now the blinders have fallen away,” Hammer said sadly.
“I’m gonna say it now, Kitty. Gizmo’s already got a lot going on and looking like a creeper at the mall every Saturday is not even on the horizon for him,” Boss said firmly. “You’re gonna have to trust they’ll make good decisions and that the boys . . .”
“Were youevera teenage boy, or did you morph from toddler to grumpy old man?” I asked. “Boys that age don’t make decisions with their brains, and I don’t believe girls do either. Teenage decision making is what put me in prison.”
“Preach it, brother,” Santa said with a grin. “It’s not what put me in prison, but it sure as hell got me into a world of trouble before I ended up there.”
“I need a drink,” Kitty mumbled as he slumped down in his seat. “Where are we going again?”
“To have a drink,” Stamp said with a laugh. “And to meet up with one of my own teenage decisions to look at jewelry.”
“Jewelry?” I asked.
“I’m gonna propose to Paula. Frankie and Bernadette gave me some ideas to make it memorable,” Hook told us. The car erupted into cheers and congratulations, and then he smiled nervously. “I’m not sure if she’s gonna get happy tears and say yes or stab me for fucking with the status quo.”
I winced. “It could go either way with that one.”
“Are you ever gonna make an honest woman out of my sister or what?” Santa asked.
Captain started laughing. “It would take more than a fucking ring for that!” I glared at him for a second, and he grinned at me. “It had to be said, man.”
“She’d run for the hills. I got her to promise me forever, and I’ve got no illusions there’ll be a real preacher in our future anytime soon.”
“But she gave you a date, right?” Santa asked. “She’s always had a specific date in mind for her own wedding.”
“If she’s got a date, then what’s the problem?” Hammer asked.
“She said she’ll only get married on February 30th.”
