Page 39 of Enemy Daddy Next Door

My heart swells. He wouldn’t invite me on a date with Jessica if he didn’t trust me around her. That’s more of a compliment than he even knows. “No, that’s perfect.”

He smiles. “Okay. The beach.”

“Love the beach.”

“Picnic.”

“Love a picnic.”

Hunter’s smile grows with each moment. “Sunday. Afternoon?”

“Love Sunday afternoon,” I say and am surprised when Hunter says it in unison with me. I flush. “Am I that predictable?”

“No, not at all,” he replies and then leans into my ear. “But you are adorable.”

I could die happy right now, but then I’d miss our date. Gotta hold on to life support a few days more.

Hunter touches my shoulder gingerly, another kiss to the side of my head. “Alright, I’ve got to be going.”

“I’m Fiona, by the way,” Fiona interjects, holding her hand out to Hunter.

He shakes it, a sheepish look on his face. “Forgive me, Fiona, I was d-distracted.”

“I can’t blame you. She’s a catch. A real catch, and if you do anything to –”

“Fiona,” I admonish.

Hunter holds up his hands in surrender. “Don’t worry. I know I’ll have you and all the Solace sisters to contend with.” Then, his warm brown eyes meet mine, crow’s feet deep in a smile. “I’ll take good care of her.”

What the hell, man? Do you want me to rip all my clothes off right this second? We’re in public!

“Hm. Good,” Fiona sniffs.

I want to slug her in the arm.

“Nice to meet you, Fiona. And…have a good rest of your day,” Hunter says as he backs away.

“You too. Have a good meeting and, you know, day. Have a good day,” I call after him.

“Sunday,” he says as confirmation.

I nod. “Sunday.”

“Good.” With that, he gives me one last smile, and then hurries out of the shop. I watch him all the way to the door, the bell tolling on his way out as a warning that I have well and truly lost it.

Fiona touches my shoulder as I zone out. “Okay, looks like you got a date. I give you permission to well and truly lose your shit over this man.”

My heart flutters. I clutch the bouquet to my chest as tight as I can without crushing the flowers. What Fiona doesn’t know is I’ve already lost my shit over Hunter Ricks. I lost it long ago, before it was even reasonable.

Now, I’ve lost my whole self in him too.

Sunday cannot come fast enough.

12

HUNTER

“I think I’m having a panic attack.”

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