Page 55 of Bonus Daddy
“Undecided,” she replied, shaking her head. What in the ever-loving mystic fuck was she talking about?
Desperate to end this conversation, I asked. “Was I at least wearing pants in this dream?”
She stared at me for a beat. “Not emotionally.”
Chapter 19
Brian
My usual hyperfocus was hard to come by these days. Maybe it was the weather. It was June, after all, and the sun was out and the weather was perfectly warm. Or maybe Jersey was finally getting to me. Maybe the distraction was caused by all the parts of my life that were suddenly more interesting than work.
Like building Legos with the boys, or cooking dinner, or chatting with Jess when she stopped by.
As I sat at my desk with the window open, hoping to catch a breeze from the alley, I smiled. It was a bit embarrassing how much I looked forward to seeing her. Some days, our run-ins only lasted minutes, but that didn’t stop me from finishing up early and hanging around upstairs with the kids, quizzing Greta on her state capitals and listening to Lake Paige with Kit so I could run into the woman who’d infiltrated my every thought.
My brain constantly replayed our almost-kiss. At this point, I’d relived it and analyzed it hundreds of times. If Dammit hadn’t been such an asshole that day, spazzing out in my office the way he did, maybe I’d have even more to fantasize about.
But for now, this was enough. I couldn’t stop envisioning the way her eyes had widened or the way she had bitten down on her plumpbottom lip. We hadn’t even touched, and it would go down as one of the most sensual experiences of my life.
Though after my pathetic attempt at yoga, I wasn’t sure the almost-kiss moment was the one that stuck out most to her. When she thought of me, she probably replayed my face-plant in her studio.
Jess wouldn’t be here for another hour, and I had at least two hours of discovery to deal with. If I re-caffeinated, there was a chance I could squeeze it all in before she arrived. As I was pushing back, determined to get another cup of coffee, a knock sounded on my door.
“Come in,” I hedged, frowning. Cal, Sully, and Lo did not knock, and honestly, I rarely closed my door, since they’d all barge in anyway, but I’d hoped by shutting myself away like this, I could focus. Clearly, that hadn’t helped.
Worried a client had found their way back here and that I’d completely lost my mind and had forgotten about a meeting, I splayed my hands on my desk, ready to stand.
The door opened slowly, and Kit appeared, followed by Greta, who gave me a friendly wave.
“I made you this,” she said, handing me a large tumbler. “I noticed you come upstairs and make this every day.”
I reached for the glass, touched. She’d noticed my afternoon protein shake?
“I added Greek yogurt and a banana, because Sloane said she didn’t see you eat breakfast.”
I took a sip. It was a bit lumpy but tasted like my usual. My heart warmed.
“Thank you, Greta,” I said, watching her little face light up.
“Greta is an amazing chef,” Kit said. “She makes amazing smoothies.”
The two of them grinned at each other, exchanging some kind of sisterly look I didn’t understand.
“I have to agree.” I settled back in my chair and took another sip. “How was school today?”
“Awesome,” Greta said, just as Kit shrugged. “Fine.” Her attentionroamed around my office, making me feel self-conscious. Although I kept it tidy, this place was objectively a dump, and I felt guilty that the best I could offer them was the old folding chair.
I hummed. “This time of year was always difficult for me. I just wanted it to be summer vacation already.”
Kit gave a noncommittal shrug and sighed. “I don’t know. Summer means moving, and…” She trailed off, looking at her hands.
My chest tightened with sympathy. “You don’t want to move?” I asked gently.
She looked up at me. “It doesn’t matter. Mom said you’re a great lawyer, so you’re gonna make it happen.”
“She actually said you’re the best lawyer ever,” Greta corrected.
Kit glared at her.
