Page 17 of Finding You

Grace looked startled. And almost disappointed. “So you weren’t lying?”

Dallas stepped closer and lowered his voice. “About what? Did he tell you lies about me?”

Grace made a soft choking noise, then said, “I suppose not.”

“Flora doesn’t know,” Kylen said swiftly. His daughter had wandered off somewhere in the tense silence and was talking to another little girl by the collection of beanbags in the corner of the room. “I’d like to keep it that way for a while.”

Grace sniffed. “This feels…against policy.”

“Are you trying to secure asshole of the year?” Kylen asked in a sharp whisper.

Dallas blinked. “I’m missing so much, aren’t I?”

“No,” Grace snapped while Kylen answered, “Yeah. I’ll tell you later.”

Dallas’s eyes went very soft and warm. “I’m looking forward to that. Anyway, I’m glad you showed. Grace, would you like me to show you around?”

She glanced over at Flora, then shook her head. “No. I actually have an appointment. But since you two are getting serious, are you coming to the family weekend?”

Dallas looked panicked, and Kylen quickly shook his head. “We’re not there yet.”

“After a year?” she asked. “When you’re so in love?”

Kylen wanted to throw himself in the sun. Why had he been such a moron? “Uh. Well?—”

“I’m still checking to see if I can get the days off. Teachers don’t get as much time as students, but we’ve been talking about it. And it’ll be nice to get to know everyone,” Dallas answered smoothly.

Kylen could kiss him if that wouldn’t freak him out. Instead, he just stepped a little closer as Grace stalked off to say goodbye to Flora. The moment she was out of earshot, he groaned. “I am so sorry.”

Dallas laughed. “Am I the Canadian boyfriend?”

Kylen slapped a hand over his face. “I didn’t mean to. I panicked, and your name came out. I’m…God, I didn’t think I’d ever see you again. I feel like such a jackass.”

“Don’t,” Dallas said softly. He laid his hand on Kylen’s arm, more confident than he’d been on the plane. It was even sexier than his adorable nerves. Fuck. “Why don’t we meet this Saturday for coffee? I think I need to hear this story. And we should probably get all the facts straight in case she corners me when you’re not here.”

Kylen’s blush deepened. “Again, I’m so, so sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Dallas repeated fiercely. He stopped and nodded as Grace walked by, and they both held their breath until she was out the door. “I remember what you said on the plane.”

Kylen dragged both hands down his face. “I didn’t mean to be a total creep.” He jolted when a second later, a warm, familiar hand took his own.

Dallas squeezed his fingers as gently as he had during the flight. He was trying to be careful, he’d said. Because he was a big guy working with small children. Kylen hoped to God he was hiding his blush.

“I don’t think you’re a creep. I’ve had the misfortune of meeting your sister a couple times now. I get it. Believe me.”

Kylen wanted to defend her. Maybe he should have. But she’d taken it upon herself to make a lot of people’s lives miserable. And maybe it was because her own was a nightmare—who knew. She never opened up to him, so he could only guess why she was the way she was.

But it was getting exhausting.

“Mr. Reed! This is my daddy.” Flora appeared out of nowhere, tugging on Dallas’s hand, and it was only then Kylen realized their palms were still pressed together.

Dallas let him go, a slow drag of fingers that almost felt deliberate. “I see that. Your dad is very nice, Flora.”

“I know. He’s my favorite dad,” she said.

Kylen laughed and lifted her onto his hip. “I’m your only dad.”

“I have a mommy,” Flora said. “Some people have two daddies, and some has two mommies.” She held up two fingers. “But I have one daddy and one mommy.”

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