chapter 13

Rex

“Do I really have to be business casual?” I ask, staring at the sports coat in Isabella’s hand.

We’re at the Ocotillo Valley Mall. Yep, a real, honest-to-goodness mall. Didn’t know these things still existed quite like this one. There’s a food court, a Spencer’s and a whole jungle gym for kids to trade germs back and forth.

Just like the good old days.

Of course, we’re not doing anything fun at the mall, just sorting through suit jackets that I know are all going to be just a little too short on my torso and show too much of my wrist.

“Yes.”

“You know, we’re not going to fool anyone with the whole ‘business dad’ thing…” I say, clocking some teen girls hiding with their phones out across the store from us. I’ve tried my best to blend in with a baseball cap and a simple black tee, but apparently, I didn't do enough to hide my rockstar vibe.

“I’m not trying to fool anyone,” Isabella says. “You’re his dad. And you take his education seriously. I don’t go to meetings in scrubs. I dress