Page 36 of Detention with Daddies

Olivia’s head falls back with her laughter. “I knew Dr. Wright would put them there. Yes. He is.”

“I didn’t mean to call him out.”

“No. I already knew he wouldn’t eat them as soon as I sat down in his office.”

I raise an eyebrow at her. “He did though. I saw him eating one.”

She blinks at me in astonishment. “Really? He showed weakness in public?”

I laugh a little.

“Ha. Good to know. Next time he makes a treat, I’ll be sure to bring some in to share.”

Again, I find that I want to treat her too. She’d love the food back home. Part of me wants to invite her on my next trip in a couple of months. Too bad that would be…awkward. Well, it might not be, which is more reason not to entertain the idea.

“Tell me more about your parents.”

“Dad works a lot, like sixty hours a week. He’s a machinist at the manufacturing plant, so when he’s home, he likes to chill in his chair and watch his sports. We can prod him to grill sometimes or come do a puzzle, but we try to let him relax. Mom cleans houses, which has her out early in the morning. Most of the time she’s home in the afternoons, so her and I do projects together. Right now, we’re learning how to make charms out of polymer clay.”

“Sounds like you have a good family.”

My comment makes her brighten. “I do.”

We lapse into silence as we finally make some progress on our food, but then she tilts her head at me. “How’s Ivan doing?”

I chew through my bite and furrow my brows. “Good. Typical preteen. Spends most of his time doing homework or playing video games.”

“I played a few rounds with him over the weekend.”

That surprises me. Ivan didn’t mention it. I would have expected him to. “Really?”

“Yeah. He’s pretty good. Helped me get a new achievement. My brother is totally jealous.” Her mischievous grin spreads warmth through my chest again.

I shouldn’t like how she connects with my son so much, but I do.

“So, why do you eat in your office most days?”

I blink at her for a second. “I usually work through lunch.”

“It’s not because most of the staff are intimidated by you?”

I straighten. “Are they?”

She smiles softly, teasingly. “I’m not, but it does seem that way. I believe you have the reputation of being tough but fair.”

“Ah, I am that.” I clear my throat. “I’ve had…a few issues with employees getting too familiar, so I shut it down before it can go anywhere.”

She raises her brow questioningly. “Yet, you invited me here to have lunch with you.”

I chew on my response for a moment. “You don’t strike me as the type to take advantage of my kindness the way others have before.”

“Mmm. You’re right. I wouldn’t. You should come sit with us at lunch more often.”

“I’ll consider it. You’re always free to come eat with me here as well.”

When she’s finished, I watch her go, settling back in my chair, and cursing myself for how familiar I want to get with Olivia. It goes against my nature, my rules, but if I keep on this way, I’m going to break them with her.

NICK

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