Page 99 of Tempt

I huff out a breath.

“You have all his things.” I rattle off the list.

“What? He needs to take vitamins?” She blinks up at me, then cuts a look toward the doorway. “Did you know this was a thing?”

I catch sight of my kid and Andy erupts into giggles. “No, it’s not a thing.”

I sigh. They’re both making fun of me.

I’m glad to see him happy.

It’s just that I’ve never left my son with someone else.

“Tell me again this will be fine,” I say to her.

“I promise.”

They walk me outside to the truck and I put my luggage in the back to head to the airport.

“I’ll miss you,” I say to my kid, hugging him hard.

“You too, Dad. Have fun!”

He bounces back toward the house, seemingly over the moment.

When I straighten, Kat smirks. “They grow up so fast.”

Her teasing comments and Andy’s happiness make me grin. I brush a thumb down her cheek. “I’ll miss you, too.”

Her eyes widen a little.

In public we’ve kept the PDA to a minimum. But right now, I couldn’t care less who sees us.

I’m in love with her.

I’ve known it since the other day in my office.

Maybe before.

My chest is more open when she’s near, my ribs expanding so I can breathe in a way I haven’t in years.

She makes me laugh and hope and believe.

I want to tell her.

But I can’t drop this on her and then head out of town.

“Call when you get in,” she says.

She’s wearing a soft sweater, and I grab the hem and tug her toward me. “You worried about me?”

“Of course not. To say good night to Andy.”

“Mm-hmm.” I can’t resist brushing my lips over hers. “And I’ll call back later to say good night to you.”

* * *

“Hello, Professor. Looking forward to your presentation.”

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