Page 52 of Tempt

Irun through my grades from last semester.

Russell’s psych grad program does look promising.

The problem is there are so many parts to the application. Not only grades, but letters, statements…it’ll be a full-blown multimedia project when it’s done.

I reach for my tea, downing what’s left in the cup as a notification on my phone reminds me of a doctor’s appointment at the hospital.

Shit.I completely blanked on it.

I take the bus there, drumming my fingers on my leg as we get closer and wishing I was back in the library instead.

There’s a first.

I remind myself that this is routine while they’re asking and poking and prodding and scanning and testing.

It feels like forever ago, but it was only three years since I was in one of these places for far too long. I hate the smell, the sounds, the machines and the scuffed floors.

By the time I get back to the house, all I want is to see Daniel and Andy and give the guys a great end to their day together.

The sound of the door opening has me turning back from the stove.

“We beat all the high scores!” Andy bounds over to me. “Dad wasn’t as good as me but he said he’s out of practice.”

“Epic. High five.”

He complies, swinging his whole body with the motion.

“Something smells fantastic.” Daniel appears and my stomach flutters in a good way.

He’s wearing a moto jacket over jeans and a white T-shirt and it’s a total James Dean moment.

Plus, he’s carrying a tub of ice cream.

Be still my heart.

“Marinara sauce from scratch,” I inform him as he sets the dessert on the counter next to me and shrugs out of the jacket.

“Wow. I didn’t expect you to cook when I hired you.”

He crosses to the hallway to hang up his coat.

“I was looking up recipes and thought you’d both like this.”

He returns and the expression on his face is hard to read, gratitude and something more.

“Kat, we saw bunnies at the pet store!” Andy exclaims. “Did you know I used to have a bunny?”

“Yup. Roger the rabbit.”

“I’ll get a new bunny someday. Dad, can I have a new bunny?”

“Not today, bud.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow, we’ll see,” he says dryly.

We exchange a smile and he’s so handsome it’s destructive.

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