Page 54 of Guardian Daddy

Cate shut down her laptop.

It wasn’t like she was getting anything done anyway. Her headache was relentless. And she needed to talk to Rhodes about what had happened last night.

Even though part of her was afraid to ask. She was scared that she’d gone into Little headspace with just Ethan here.

Had he noticed?

Well, it would be hard to miss.

She guessed she’d find out soon enough. No doubt he’d look at her like she’d lost her mind. Or perhaps he wouldn’t even talk to her.

Making her way to the living room, she squinted in pain as she watched Samantha pace up and down the living room. Her arms were up in the air, her face scrunched up.

Was she upset?

She looked and sounded upset.

“Samantha, honey, calm down,” Rhodes said, appearing from the kitchen with two bottles of water. “You’re getting yourself all upset.”

Yay! Go her. She had read the other woman correctly.

“Well, of course I’m upset!” she cried. “Some asshole threatened me.”

“What’s going on?” Cate asked, stepping forward into the living room. “Is everything all right?”

“No! Everything is not all right.”

“I know you’re scared, Samantha,” Rhodes said in a firm voice. “But that’s no reason to snap at Cate.”

Samantha turned to Rhodes, big tears dripping down her face. “You’re right. I’m just so worried that I’m lashing out without reason. And to the wrong person.” Samantha leaned against Rhodes, who wrapped his arms around her and spoke to her quietly.

“Cate?”

She startled, then looked over at Ethan. “Yes? I mean, hello. How are you?”

“I’m good, thank you.” He was smiling. Did he find her amusing? She wasn’t trying to be. “Are you all right?”

“Yes.”

“You’re kind of squinting.”

“Oh, I have a slight headache. All this noise doesn’t help.”

Unfortunately, as she said that, everything else went quiet.

“I’m sorry that my being threatened is hurting your head, Cate!” Samantha snapped.

Cate turned back to her, bewildered. “I didn’t say that. Did I?”

“No, you didn’t,” Ethan reassured her before glaring over at Samantha. “Come into the kitchen. I’ll find you some painkillers and explain what’s going on.”

“Yes, um, all right.” Cate wanted to run in the other direction. But she also wanted to know what was happening and Ethan didn’t seem to be looking at her like she’d lost her mind.

So perhaps she hadn’t gone into Little headspace last night. Maybe she’d just had a nightmare.

Besides, it seemed like there was something more important going on.

“What’s happened?” she asked as soon as they were farther away.

---