Page 13 of Detention with Daddies

She laughs, it’s full and delightful and reaches down through my ribs into my gut without my permission. “Yes. Thank you.”

Still, I linger for a moment. Curious about the way I’m reacting to her. How much I want to see her smile.

“How is the rest of your research going?” I cringe inside. I don’t want her to think I’m going to micromanage her, but my reputation for being tough precedes me. This doesn’t seem too far off base.

She straightens from searching through the equipment, eyes round and a box of tubes in her hands. “Off to a good start. I’ve got an excellent group to work with. Professor Salazar has offered to help me with the routines I’ve built.”

That pangs in a new, unfamiliar way. Am I jealous?

“Good. Let me know if you need anything. We should schedule a sit-down after your first session with them.”

Her expression turns softer, and she blinks at me sweetly. “I meet with them on Friday. Would Monday work?”

“Yes. I have the morning open…”

“Ten okay?” Is that crinkle around her eyes amusement?

“Perfect.” My pause amps up the tension. “I wouldn’t mind if you brought another box of treats with you either.”

This time her small, knowing smile rips straight through me. I bet she didn’t think I tried one of those cannoli.

I did. It was one of the best treats I’ve ever tasted.

“Can do. My brother is a hell of a chef, isn’t he?”

Her brother. He must be close if he put the effort into making cannoli from scratch just to get her on my good side. It worked.

This time, I back away, and she goes back to digging through the equipment. I try not to ogle her round ass as I retreat.

I return to my son, slow, thoughtful.

Junior’s eyes are twinkling when he looks up at me. “So, who’s that?”

“A graduate student.”

“Your student?”

“Yes. I’m heading her thesis project.” Something that should be a deal breaker. That should keep these new thoughts from sweeping unbidden into my mind.

“Hmm. Too bad. She’s pretty.”

Yes. She is pretty.

Prettier than I noticed the first time we met.

All I saw then was her roundness, the extra meat on her body, and the chip that sometimes comes with that. It’s the basis for her thesis after all.

And now … now, I see more.

I redirect. “Mmm. Don’t forget to stop in and see your sister when you’re done here. She misses you.”

Junior’s smile says he’s not buying it. “Sure thing, Dad.”

OLIVIA

Classes this week with Salazar have been awesome. I shouldn’t have doubted his ability as a teacher.

Or how helpful he could truly be with my project. A genuine ally. Like he said he would be.

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