Page 105 of Twisted Collide

“It’s handwritten.”

“Youcame up with it?”

I’m well-aware my doubt bounces from my face like a pop-up book, but c’mon. The guy probably thinks all-you-can-eat shrimp is the peak of advertising.

“Yes.” He arches a brow. “Is that so hard to believe?”

“Well…” I make a show of checking the time, cringing internally. “We should head to your office now. I have a meeting soon.”

I do not, in fact, have a meeting soon. I’m pretty sure I’m not important enough to have a meeting soon. After all, I put the un in unpaid intern.

My father leads me into his office and gestures to the chair. I sit on the very edge, taking in the place. Dozens ofplaybooks sit in militant stacks at the edge of his desk. Trophies line a floating shelf behind it, coupled with a photo of… I squint, trying to make out the contents of the gold leaf frame. Is that…me? No way.

When I finally return my attention back to my father, he has an unreadable expression etched across his face.

I cross my legs, playing it cool. “The list?”

“Doesn’t exist.” He has the decency to look sheepish. With a sigh, he removes his cap and tosses it in a wire basket beside his desk. “I needed an excuse to talk to you. You’re avoiding me.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“No, I’m—”

“How many twenty-two-year-olds have kidney stones?”

“They were the size of my fist,” I insist.

“Josie…”

He doesn’t get to finish his sentence.

Hudson barges in the office, two palms up. “I swear I didn’t do it.”

I don’t know whatitis, but I certainly hope he did it, so he and my father can have a nice, long chat about it. Without me.

“Oh, what a shame.” I jut out my lower lip, hopping off the chair. “This seems important. I’ll let you two talk.”

With that, I’m out of there before either of them can even blink. I’m halfway down the hallway when I see Dane.

“Where’re you off to?” I ask.

He stops walking when he hears my voice. “Off to meet Aiden.”

“Really? You guys going out—”

“No. Actually, he runs a youth group, and I agreed to volunteer over there.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep. I realized I love helping the kids. I just hate fundraisers, so this felt like something I’d be into.” He shrugs.

“Oh, you hate fundraisers. Is that so?” I lift my brow. “Was the last one so awful?”

He laughs. “No, Hellfire.” He moves closer and lowers so his mouth is right next to my ear. A shiver works its way through my body at his proximity. For a second, I wonder what he’s doing, and then I can feel a whisper of his breath against my skin. “It wasn’t.”

My lids close, and a small moan escapes my lips.

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