“A fish?” she asks. ““Like in a bowl or with a huge machine?”

“I have no idea,” I tell her. “What do you suggest?”

“Flowers,” she says right away. “Always flowers.”

“Besides that, smartass.” I laugh and walk back downstairs.

“I have no idea. Let me google and I’ll text you. I’m assuming you want this delivered to the same person?”

“Yes,” I tell her, walking to the outside door. “Let me know what you do, and I’ll send you something for the card.”

“Oh, how about ‘do you want to hook up’,” Amanda says, laughing, and I smile, shaking my head. “You get it, right?”

“I do, and I’ll get back to you,” I tell her and then disconnect, seeing Tracy walk back inside. “What happened?”

“It’s too windy. I just chased the same paper five times,” she says, carrying everything in her hands to my office. “Go eat while I set up.” I walk to the kitchen, opening my container with my name on it and grabbing a fork. I eat standing up while I check my emails and a message from Amanda comes through.

Amanda: I got her a betta fish in a big bowl with different colored plants from a friend of mine. What do you want on the card?

Me: Under the Sea

Amanda: That’s it? Nothing swoony or panty melting?

Me: Nope. Just under the sea.

Amanda: Boring but you are the boss. I’ll bill you.

Me: Perfect.

I finish my meal and walk to the office with a water bottle. “Let’s get started,” I say as I sit behind my desk and open my schedule. Five hours later, I close my schedule. “With hockey and the new stores, it’s going to be a crazy six months.”

“I think in the next six months, you only have Christmas off,” Tracy says, laughing. “And that’s just because things are closed that day.”

“Let’s hope nothing changes,” I say, and she grabs her stuff.

“Your dinner will be delivered soon,” she says with a nod and walks out. I finally have time to check my phone.

There is a picture from Amanda sent at noon of the fishbowl. Rocks and a starfish cover the bottom, and then there are blue, pink, purple, and white plants scattered all around the bowl, and in the middle, is the purple and white betta fish.

Amanda: The fish has been delivered.

I smile and then walk to the kitchen, grabbing another bottle of water. I’m about to call Vivienne when the phone rings, and I see it’s my father.

“Markos,” he says the minute I press speakerphone.

“Hey, Dad.” I grab the phone and walk outside to get some fresh air. The wind has definitely picked up, and it looks like it’s going to rain. “How are you doing?”

“I’m okay.” He exhales. “I spent the day picking tomatoes for your mother.”