Page 64 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

“Clients can rebook and pay at my desk; I don’t need anyone answering phones today.” I tried to play it off with a shrug. “If you want to meet him, you can.”

Loretta’s expression shifted to confusion. “But I was told you lectured this little moppet the last time she went out to run lines.”

“Yeah, Dad,” Kira teased. “You ‘lectured’ me.”

It was hard to look put out when Kira’s smile was so genuine. She really liked this kid. I knew what that felt like–to feel excited to see someone.

“I was worried. I didn’t know the kid.”

“And nooooow?” Kira sang, clearly enjoying this. I didn’t admit to being wrong all that often.

“And now I trust that you know what you’re doing. I’m okay with you heading out. Loretta and I can handle it.”

“Yeah, we can handle it,” Loretta echoed, and Kira beamed up at me. It helped beat back the guilt.

If Kira was happy, I was happy. This didn’t have to be about keeping her away from her teacher. Or because of that kiss. It could be as simple as that if I let it be.

George rolled his shoulders back with a satisfied sigh. I opened my office door and led him out. My first client was done for the day, and I had five more to go.

The distraction was exactly what I needed. I managed to stop thinking about Mia long enough to worry about Kira before the usual grind cleared my head.

But that was before I saw her.

She sat across from the reception desk in a white floral dress that looked soft and frail. Her hair brushed her bare shoulders, sweeping across her collarbone as she crossed and uncrossed her smooth legs. She stared at her phone, pointedly ignoring me.

“See you next time,” George called, waving as he stepped into the elevator across the hall.

Shit. How did he get there so fast?

I grunted and tore my eyes away from Mia long enough to scan the waiting room. My next client wasn’t here yet, and with no one manning reception, I had to wait.

Trying not to stare at Mia while I waited wasn’t going to be easy.

“Do you have to stand there?” she asked, still glaring at her phone.

I cleared my throat. “My next client isn’t here yet.”

“Can’t you wait in your office?”

“I won’t be able to see reception from my office. I won’t know if he’s here.”

“What if I bring him to you?”

The corner of my lip twitched. “You might be in your massage by then.”

She grumbled quietly, her eyes still glued to the screen.

It was a bad idea, but I went to her anyway. She was in a social media app, scrolling furiously.

“Are you looking for something specific?”

“No. I’ve gone and made my eyes blurry, haven’t I?”

“Why would you do that?”

“So I don’t have to see you.”

I frowned, bending so I could get a better look at her. Her eyes were crossed.