Page 32 of Finding Out

He tilted my chin up and pressed his lips to mine, running his tongue along the seam of my mouth, silently demanding access. As I acquiesced, I arched into him and slipped my arms around his neck. I let myself get lost in his touch for a moment, then broke away. I couldn’t look away from him as he ran his tongue over his bottom lip.

Shifting in my chair, I tried to settle the throb that ran through my body.

“We shouldn’t,” I whispered.

He planted his hand on the desk on either side of his hips but didn’t fully move away from me. “I think we’re past that point, baby girl.”

My breath caught, but before I could respond, the door eased open and we lurched away from each other.

“Oh, sorry.” Avery stood in the doorway.

My heart fell to the floor with asplat. Oh shit. Holding my breath, I glanced at Tom, who slowly, calmly, looked over his shoulder at his daughter.

“Dad?” She looked from him where he was perched on my desk to me in my chair and back again. “What are you doing here?”

Without missing a beat, he stood up to face her. While I was drowning in guilt, he didn’t look the least bit remorseful. In fact, he looked happy, which wasn’t his normal vibe at all. “Erin finally convinced me to let Wren take point on my project.”

The suspicion fled from her face, and her mouth lifted into a smile. “The someday gallery?”

Confused, I tilted my head and assessed her. From the limited conversation I’d had with Erin and Tom, I’d thought I was just taking on a VIP client. I studied both father and daughter. I was used to notknowing all the details of their conversations, but it felt wrong in this instance. I crossed my arms, silently forcing my instincts to settle. Fuck, my emotions were ping-ponging today.

Straightening, Tom squeezed my shoulder. “She doesn’t have all the details yet. How about you let me explain them?” He rocked back on his heels.

“I’m sorry to irrupt your art world domination or whatever,” Avery said, padding up to the other side of my desk. “But Wren and I got our cards mixed up at lunch, and I need mine for the cake testing that I’m dragging Chris to.”

She never dragged Chris anywhere. He happily went wherever she wanted.

Arm extended, she held out my United miles plus black card.

I reached for my purse, the move causing Tom’s hand to fall off my shoulder. Though our connection had been severed, he didn’t step away.

Breaths coming quickly, I pulled out my wallet. “Sorry. I didn’t realize.”

I held out the same black card, focusing on keeping my hand steady.

“We need to stop doing this.” Chuckling, she took the card back, then eyed her father, who was still standing a foot from me. When she focused on me again, she’d sobered. “Just be nice to dad and don’t make him crazy.”

I blinked, swallowing down a response. If I saidoh, I’ll be plenty nice to Daddy Wilson, which in the past would have left my lips without a thought, I could make things weird. This was the awkward vibe I’d expected at lunch today, but it had been fine. Of course, while I’d been sitting across from Avery, I had been trying to forget the weekend, not kissing him in my office.

Though I didn’t respond, a chuckle rumbled out of Tom.

Avery whirled on her dad, her eyes wide. “Did you just laugh?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Wren so flustered,” he murmured. “It’s cute.”

Avery’s brow creased. “Cute?” She regarded me again, lips pressedtogether. “Wren’s gorgeous, but…” She shook her head. “I’m glad getting that painting has put you in such a good mood, but stop being weird.”

“It’s a parent’s job to make their kid think they’re weird.”

“Well, try to maintain a normal level of weird at the Christmas market tonight, okay?” Her blond ponytail slipped over her shoulder as she tilted her head and eyed her father. “You’re still coming, right?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” he promised. “Want to come?” he asked, now focused on me.

“I, uh…” My mouth and my brain refused to cooperate to form a coherent response. I needed to get it together or Avery was going to start calling me weird too.

“Wren hates the cold. Getting her outside in winter is next to impossible. She’s a fireplace and hot tub in the winter girl.” Avery tucked her credit card into her pocket and smiled at me. “Call me if you want a ride on Saturday. Chris is dropping me off, so he’ll take you too.”

“Thanks,” I said, surprised I could get a single word out.

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