Page 53 of Under Daddy's Spell

“Got a sec, Coop?”

Seth had fallen in next to him as he hurried across the gym.

“Honestly, I don’t. I should be checked in and at my gate by now, but I left my proposal.”

“I guess what I have can wait until you land in Charlotte.”

He stopped, not liking his friend’s tone of voice or the uncertainty of,I guess.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. “Is it the A/C, again? If so, call Jerry at NOLA Heating and Air. His technician was supposed to be here first thing this morning.”

“He was. He replaced a burned-out fan on Tessa’s side and said he would change out the system next week. You’re a miracle worker getting old man Thompson to spring for that.”

“Myron Thompson knows I have better lawyers than him.”

“Not to mention seventy-five pounds, eight inches, and about thirty fewer years.”

Like he was going to beat up an old man, he silently scoffed as he rolled his eyes. “So, if it’s not the ongoing issue with the air-conditioning, what’s the emergency?”

“There’s trouble in paradise.”

“What does that mean?” he snapped. He really didn’t have time for this.

“Your lovely librarian was over here delivering baked goods and what I suspect was an apology after getting the news about the burned-out fan on her side, which put you and me in the clear, when Owen started running his mouth. She got the impression you’re not only a player but a sailor with a different woman in every port.”

“What the hell?”

“Allie LaForce was mentioned, and the hot tub video with Rebecca Harlowe has resurfaced, evidently.”

Jordan pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed. “That was three years ago. How long is it going to haunt me?”

“However long your ex-girlfriend keeps plastering it all over social media. Her career is in a tailspin, and you’re her one claim to fame, so I doubt she’s going to stop—ever.”

“She baked for me?” he asked.

“Peach muffins. They’re on your desk.”

“I need to hurry. Follow and talk.” He strode to his office, Seth keeping pace. To get to his proposal, he had to move aside the black-and-gold bakery box withTournez La Pagescripted across the top. It was way light and nearly empty when he opened it.?

Jordan scowled at his supposed friend. “You ate Tessa’s peace offering?”

“Not all of ’em. We saved one for you.”

He grunted and muttered testily, “Gee, thanks.”

“You should be grateful we spared you the pain. Although they look amazing, they don’t taste that way. Wonky is the politest word I heard used. Word of warning, bro. If this relationship goes anywhere, be prepared to eat out a lot.”

His sigh was much heavier this time. She’d come to apologize, bearing a peace offering, and left with a worse opinion of him than before. With his proposal in hand, he scooped up the remaining muffin and double-timed it to the door.

When he started through the gym, Seth asked, “Where are you going? Didn’t you park out back?”

“I’m going to set Tessa straight about Rebecca and Allie, then break land speed records getting to the airport before my flight leaves.”

“Don’t bother; she’s not there. I saw her leave about an hour ago.”

Putting his hand through a plate-glass window would require a trip to the ER for stitches, and he would definitely miss his flight, so he refrained. With his head down and his hands on his hips, he envisioned his schedule for the next few days. Flights were booked, meetings confirmed, and interviews scheduled. There simply wasn’t any wiggle room. ?

“Fuck,” he uttered under his breath. “Although this is something that goes over better face-to-face,” he said, while striding to the door, “I’ll have to call her when I get to the hotel.”

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