Free A Pact For Life by Graham Elliot

that reference too outdated?”
She shrugged.
“When did I get so old? Any of my pop culture references now have a minimum age of like twenty-seven.” Cale didn't want to go any farther into this topic. For some people, the gradual decay of hipness due to age can be tough to accept.
Diana's voice echoed from down the hall. “Thank you for coming in, Andrew. I think we have a good chance of emerging from this relatively unscathed.”
Cale peeked his head around the corner and saw her talking to an exceedingly tall man in front of the main entrance. He turned back to Jenny and asked, “So what do I do? She is already pissed at me for not picking up the phone earlier. Oh, and she's gonna be furious that I didn't tell her I was coming here.”
“My oh my, Cale Dawkins. Are you scared to face your baby mama?”
Cale laughed at the fact he now had a baby mama. “Let's just say it's not my wish to die today. Or lose either ball or penis for that matter.”
“Is that something Diana has threatened before?”
“If I said yes, would you believe it?”
“If you don't want to make her any madder, I would wait till after she finishes with that man out there. He's a new client and looks to be a good catch for Diana.”
“The way you said that almost makes me jealous. Thank God she’s my baby mama.”
Andrew’s voice floated towards him, “It was nice to see you again, Diana. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
While Diana watched Andrew walk out of her office and bypass the elevator in favor of the stairs, a familiar voice behind her said, “You know, I’ve always despised those guys who use the ‘I would turn gay for him’ line, but I think that Greek God has changed my mind.”
She turned around with a face that was impossible to read. “Mary, I’ll be back,” Diana told the head receptionist, and left the office with Cale trailing closely behind.
They stepped into the elevator without saying a word. Diana pressed the button for the lobby, stepped back, and gave Cale a slap he saw coming yet didn’t flinch.
Rubbing the red hand print on his face, he said, “I thought I told you if you really wanted to do some damage, then you need to use the side of your palm. Want a do-over?”
All of Diana's anger left with that slap. She looked at Cale who was giving her the other side of his cheek to hit, and leaned over to kiss his cheek, then his lips. As she pulled away, she said, “Let’s get some lunch and decide on what to do.”

Over the next two weeks...
Their first date: “You are not getting suspenders, Cale.” Diana complained, and folded her arms so she wouldn't touch any of the clothes on the thrift store racks.
“Come on, darlin’. Tuxedo style, black suspenders. It'll be a good look.”
“No, they're too weird.”
Cale leaned close, grinned, and whispered, “I hate to break this to you, but you have no style.”
“Oh, I have no style!? That really means a lot coming from a guy who only wears a gray shirt and jeans. By the way, I've never asked, but why are those the only clothes you own?”
Cale looked around the store at the hipsters wearing tight pants, vintage jackets, and whatever ironic accessories they could find. He looked at the skiers and snowboarders in their neon everything. He looked at the drunks in their flannel shirts, ripped jeans, and beanies. At the sight of all these people, he simply said, “I guess I just wanna stand out.”
Diana hit him on the chest and said, “Clever, mister.”
“Why don't you go look for clothes for yourself? You might find something you like for cheap.”
Diana looked over at a bin with a sign, 'Women's Bras, Ten Cents', and felt a twinge in her stomach reminiscent of her earlier morning sickness. “No. Come on Cale, let's go. This place stinks and who knows what diseases you’re likely to get from the clothes.”
Setting the suspenders back on a hook, Cale said, “Never-mind, I wouldn't have a clue how to attach these to my jeans. Are you