, Ernest had left, and after a refreshing shower, I collapsed onto my bed, reaching for my phone., A message from Fanny popped up, complete with a photo and a note., The photo showed Susie, sound asleep, and the note read:

"Susie is safe and sound.

", Classic Fanny, always knew I could count on her to take care of things., I quickly typed a reply:

"Thanks a bunch, Your Majesty.

", No sooner had I sent the message than Fanny's video call came through. Was she waiting for my call?, Knowing she had just made things official with her crush, I was sure she was dying to share the joy with me, so I answered the call., There she was, sprawled in her office chair, her face beaming with happiness, so much that the screen could hardly contain it. I teased,

"Can't hide that springtime radiance, blushing all over the screen.

",

"Mrs. Collins, always the wordsmith,

" Fanny gave a thumbs up., Cutting the small talk, I thought about her drawn-out romance with Yates and couldn't resist teasing,

"Dr. Willis, you really have a way of stringing someone along.

",

"Do I?

" Fanny smiled modestly., I laughed,

"Drop the 'Do I,' will you?

", Fanny just smiled, accepting the tease. I remembered the moment clearly,

"Man, you have no idea how thrilled I was when Yates admitted he liked you back. It was like, mutual pining, who would've thought? I nearly crushed my fist, thinking you'd jump into his arms right then.

",

"But I didn't, surprise, surprise?

" Fanny grinned.,

"Yeah, were you too excited or what?

" I joked., Fanny bit her lip,

"Excited, yes, but not foolish. And I purposely kept my cool.

",

"Huh,

" I chuckled,

"Playing hard to get?

",

"Kind of,

" Fanny sighed softly,

"Felicia, I've liked him, pined for him for years, but as I've told you, while I love him, I won't lose myself in it, nor let him think his reciprocation is some grand favor to me.

", Vol, Fanny's words got me thinking, especially about what she'd said before, how my thing with Conrad Wagner ended because I hadn't played my cards right. , Gotta hand it to Fanny, a novice in love but a master in strategy.,

"Dr. Willis, the expert,

" I gave her a thumbs up.,

"This is expert level?

" Fanny feigned nonchalance., Thinking back to her cutesy act with Yates, I mimicked her,

"Yates, I'm hungry now.

", Fanny laughed,

"Cute, right?

", I pretended to shiver,

"So cute it's bone-melting. That's why you're the expert. Cool when you need to be, and cutesy when it's time.

",

"Isn't that what men fall for?

", Fanny's comment left me, a veteran, of ten years of unrequited love and four years of the real deal, utterly defeated. ,

"I bow to you, the ultimate guru. From now on, you're Professor Warm, agreed?

" I teased., Fanny just smiled,

"Why are you all by yourself? Where's Mr. Collins?

",

"He retreated to his man cave!

", At that, Fanny asked,

"What's up, Aunt Flo visiting?

",

"My Uncle Bob's in town!

", Fanny burst into laughter at my comment. Watching her laugh, I asked,

"Enough about you laughing, what's the next chapter with Yates? After you said you were hungry, how did he satisfy your appetite?

" , That was me, blatantly steering the conversation off-road., But Fanny, ever the savvy one, caught on instantly,

"Use your imagination for that.

",

"Come on, aren't we sisters? Keeping secrets now?

" I teased., Fanny just scoffed.

"Sisters don't share everything.

",

"But there's something I gotta share with you,

" I had been mulling over the guy I spotted eavesdropping outside Fanny's office., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.