Are you busy?

No. What’s up? Everything ok?

Leighton is acting up, Soph is busy with her beau, and I'm going crazy.

Leighton acting up? Really? She’s always seems so quiet. What’s she doing?

Quiet? You should hear her when she's with her friends. She's just growing up and I remember what I was like at her age. You think you could come over? This house feels empty without all the noise.

She’s got a great mom. I think she’ll be ok.

Yeah, sure. I’m still at the bar, but let me finish cleaning up and I’ll be right over.

Hey. You left your jacket at the bar. I had Lisa put it in the back for you.

Thank you. I guess I should apologize to Leighton though. I thought she'd borrowed it and didn't want to tell me.

Yup. I’d do that if I were you. How are things? They any better with Leighton?

Terrifying. She's officially dating a bad boy type. I can already feel him turning her against me.

Vi, she’s a teenager. Aren’t they supposed to be moody? I doubt he’s turning her against you. You two have one of the strongest bonds.

Damn you and you're logic. You're far too sweet to me.

I think you’re too hard on yourself sometimes. Leighton’s a good kid and you're a great mom.

Enough about me. How are you? You ever get that problem with your vendor figured out? Because if you need me to use my mom voice on him, I will. I can be scary when I need to be.

I’m good. I just hired a new manager, so I don't have to be here every weekend. I appreciate you for offering your mom voice, but everything turned out all right for once.

That's great news! You're going to have so much extra free time, I don't think you're going to know what to do with yourself.

Anytime you need it, just let me know. I figure I owe you a few favors at this point.

Yeah. That’s exactly what I was thinking. I was also thinking if you were free while I was free, maybe you’d want to grab dinner?

Like a date?

Maybe. Depends if you want to call it that. We could just be two friends going out to dinner? That’s fine too.

I think friends would be best. I don't want you taking this the wrong way though, a romantic date would be lovely but it's complicated.

Just friends. Not a problem.

I'm sorry. It's going to sound stupid but whatever. I have this deal with Leighton. I'm not to date anyone until she graduates. I know how ridiculous and far-fetched that probably sounds but it's 100% true, and I don't want you thinking this has anything to do with you.

Not stupid. Yeah. That makes me feel a bit better. I can respect that.

And if in two years, you still want that date, count me in.

I mean, I’ve waited a while already to ask, so what’s another two years of waiting?

That, right there. That's why it's hard to say no to a date with you. You're so sweet, caring, and handsome, doesn't even make sense that you're real.

And you’re a gorgeous, strong, and independent woman who deserves the world. I wanted to shoot my shot. It’s okay. I get it.