Page 59 of Ghost

Gavin’s hand settled at my lower back. “I’m taking you home.”

“Yes, please.” I wanted my house and the comfort it could provide.

He loaded me into the SUV we’d driven here and drove with one hand on the wheel and another on my thigh.

The house was lit when we pulled in, and my parents were already in the driveway.

Mom had her arms around me before I got both feet on the ground. “Oh, my poor baby.”

When she stepped back, Dad glanced at my wrapped wrist, then pulled me in for a hug of his own. “Are you⁠—”

“I’m okay,” I assured him. “Just some scrapes.”

Gavin stayed half a step behind me while we headed inside. Then I filled them in on what happened.

Dad’s lips pressed into a flat line. “I trusted that man with the company. And you.”

“I know, but he fooled us all. Not just you,” I reminded him.

Mom wiped her damp cheeks. “The rest of the company talk can wait until we’ve all slept.”

Dad looked at me, then at Gavin. “Can I have a minute with my daughter?”

“I’ll be on the porch,” Gavin offered.

We went into the kitchen. Dad rubbed a hand over his face and stared at the table.

“When the numbers started looking wrong, I asked if it could have been because of mistakes you made. That wasn’t okay. I know how you work, but I was scared and wanted an ordinary explanation.”

“Dad—”

“I’m sorry.”

“Thanks.” I gave him a hug. “We’re good.”

“I appreciate it, honey.”

Dad and I walked back into the living room, and Gavin came back inside like he had a radar telling him exactly where I was.

Mom looked from my face to his and then at Dad. “We should go. They need quiet more than they need us hovering.”

Dad hesitated, then kissed my hair. “Call if you need anything.”

“I will.”

They were barely down the drive when a truck pulled in. Jacqueline and Bex got out, takeout bags from my favorite restaurant in their hands.

Jacqueline lifted one of the bags higher. “We brought food.”

“I can see.”

“Someone gave us very explicit instructions for what to bring over,” Bex explained.

I tilted my head back to grin at Gavin. “I’m sure I can guess who.”

He didn’t look the least bit guilty for having done so. “You need to eat, pretty girl.”

“We brought plenty,” Jacqueline murmured as I opened the door wider for her.