Page 48 of At His Wife's Behest

Withdrawing the printed photos from his pocket, he stared at Kellan and him in an embrace, smiling at one another. Another of them kissing on the ferry. His own lips curled up at thememory. He’d wanted nothing more than to spend time with Kellan when they returned, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Connor wouldn’t be an afterthought.

He was saddened that Kellan was being forced out of the closet—especially considering it would be splashed all over the internet and media.He’dbe splashed all over the internet and media, too. Memes would come. They’d be the butt of many a joke.

And he could lose his job.

Another with the agency might not come either, the more he thought about it. Who’d want to be seen in public with someone infamous? He’d have to go into hiding for who knew how long.

Fuck!He was royally screwed.

“Is that my daddy?”

Connor lowered the paper. He hadn’t realized anyone had approached his desk. He turned to find a very confused Abigail Rhodes standing beside him.

“No,”he fibbed. “Another man.”

“It looks like Daddy.”

“He just looks a little like your dad.”

“Oh.” She cocked her head to one side. “You kiss boys?”

Connor wasn’t sure what to say to that other than the truth. It would come out anyway, from the sound of things. “I do.”

“My pawpaw and grandpa say that’s wrong, but Mama says it’s okay. She says when grownups love one another, it’s not wrong.”

“Your mama is one smart lady.”

“Yep,” Abigail answered. She handed her test over. “My daddy’s pretty smart, too.”

Connor took her quiz. “Well, I wouldn’t expect less considering how smart their kiddo is.”

“Verysmart.” Abigail glanced at the back of the sheet with a look that told him she knew who was in that photo. She walked back to her seat and took out a book to read while her classmates finished their test.

After school, Connor stopped into Mr. Harding’s office to own up to his lie.Best get ahead of it.

“Your mother wasn’t sick?”

“No, sir.” Connor sighed. “I had an opportunity to go for a last minute, all-expenses paid trip to Italy, and I took it.”

The principal frowned. “I will have to document this in your file.” He leaned across the desk. “In your shoes, I likely would’ve done the same. Just don’t do it again, okay?”

Connor nodded. “There’s more.”

Mr. Harding glanced up, frowning.

“The reason I’m telling you is… some photos with the man I went on the trip with… well, he’s the son of a US Senator and those photos are likely going to the press.”

His boss was quiet a moment. “Might it be Kellan Rhodes?”

Connor didn’t answer.

“A parent of one of your students.”

“He is.”

“You’re aware that’s against our code of conduct?”

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