Page 12 of Enemy Daddy Next Door

4

HUNTER

How about nine?

I look at my phone under the conference table. It’s from a number that I’ve only marked as Blonde Kelly. Although all the Kellys I’ve ever known have been blonde.

I type out a quick response while keeping my eyes focused on the board member who is droning on and on about the Ricks Group’s latest project.

Make it ten. Give my daughter time to get to sleep.

The message immediately gets a heart react and then the three dots appear to indicate Blonde Kelly is typing.

I turn off the screen and focus on the conversation again.

“I don’t think our shareholders are going to be too keen on the Ricks Group focusing in on becoming a competitor to Disney.”

“We’re not,” I say sternly. “We’re just expanding our market. We’ve gotten luxury hotels down to a science. The family friendly sector is incredibly lucrative.”

“And unstable,” the elderly board member mutters, crossing his arms over his chest. “And I’m sorry, but I have a hard time thinking you’re taking any of this serious with that hair of yours.”

I laugh despite myself. My hair is tied tidily back with a ponytail holder. Perish the thought of how he’d react if my hair was hanging down past my shoulders as I have it everywhere else in my life. “Stan, my hair has nothing to do with this. You’re grasping at straws at this point.”

“Well, I think your parents would be rolling in their graves if…” Stan starts to drone.

I immediately tune him out. Any mention of my parents makes my brain shut off. I need to retreat away so as to not think about them. Thankfully, my phone buzzes right at that moment. I let my eyes glaze over as I listen to Stan, pretending to listen long enough that he won’t be offended I look away. Then, when it’s finally time, I glance down at my phone.

Blonde Kelly. Thank god.

Okay, I’ll be there. Can’t wait. Already thinking about what I’ll do to you… ;)

A message like that usually makes my body flush from stem to stern, makes my imagination run wild thinking about all the possibilities for my encounter with Blonde Kelly.

This time, though, I feel nothing.

Oh god. There’s no way I’m old enough that I need some sort of Viagra or something, right? Besides, I was fine just this weekend. No way that all just turned off at once.

I swallow.

I know why.

It’s because I have someone else on my mind. Someone who marched into my kitchen with her bikini on and enough anger to mow down an army of men.

Amy Solace.

I’m ashamed to admit I have a little crush. She’s so much younger than me. And she totally hates my guts. What kind of person am I to be attracted to a woman who can’t seem to stand me?

“Hunter!”

My attention snaps back to Stan.

“Are you listening?” the older man sneers.

I lean back in my chair and smile casually. “No, I wasn’t.”

Some of the other board members have to resist laughter.

“The disrespect, young man – ”

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