Page 19 of That Rush

Josie usually claims a spot near the front during story time, answers every question whether I ask her or not, and whispers commentary to whichever stuffed animal she brings with her.

Today, she looks ready to crawl out of her own skin.

“Hi, Josie,” I say.

Her eyes open. She peeks around Aiden, and some of the panic leaves her face.

“Miss Paige?”

“That’s me.”

Aiden turns, and I get my first clear look at him.

Broad shoulders stretch a gray T-shirt. His dark hair is rumpled from repeatedly dragging a hand through it, and the stubble along his jaw suggests shaving gave way to more urgent responsibilities this morning. He is tired, tense, and unfairly attractive.

His eyes move over my face, pause briefly on my mouth, then return to mine. A current of hot awareness passes between us, quick and unwelcome.

I push it aside. A crying six-year-old takes priority over her father’s excellent mouth.

“Josie, is it too loud in here?” I ask.

She nods quickly.

Aiden glances toward the door. “I can take her outside. We just need to find the book she wanted.”

“I know.” I keep my attention on Josie. “We’ll find it.”

He holds up the three books in his hand. “She said it had a horse, but this one isn’t right. Then she said maybe it was a princess, and now she won’t tell me which one.”

Josie presses her palms harder against her ears.

“Could we stop asking her questions for a minute?”

His gaze snaps to mine. “Listen, lady…”

“No.”

His eyebrows lift.

“You don’t get to start a sentence with me like that. I don’t accept lip from children, and I certainly won’t from a grown man.”

A muscle shifts along his jaw. “I’m trying to help my daughter.”

“So am I.”

“I know what she needs.”

“I’m sure you usually do. Right now, she needs fewer words and less pressure.”

His eyes narrow. He looks accustomed to people following his instructions, which probably works well for him when the other person isn’t me.

“You’ve offered her books, crafts, and an escape route in under a minute,” I continue. “She can’t handle another choice right now.”

“I wasn’t pressuring her.”

“You were trying to fix everything at once.”

“I’m her father.”