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I scrambled to pick up my laptop before the liquid spread under it.
“Let me help you.” Aiden tried to shake out the reservation book.
I held the laptop up and watched with horror as the coffee dripped from the corner. It had seeped farther along the desk than I realized.
“Can you grab some towels in the back supply closet?” I nodded in the direction of the shelves. I didn’t want to risk moving the laptop before I could sop up some of the coffee.
He jogged to the back and returned with an armful of towels. “Do you think this is enough?”
If ten towels couldn’t soak up one cup of coffee, we had the wrong kind of towels in stock.
I nodded as he started wiping up the spill.
“Can you get the bottom of the computer first?” I held it forward.
Aiden wedged himself between the desk and me, giving him a better angle to clean my most prized office possession.
I could smell his cologne over the vanilla creamer I used. I was acutely aware he was in my space, but I focused on the cleanup.
“I have to admit this is a first.” He laughed.
“What’s that?” I watched as he ran a clean towel over the keyboard. It didn’t appear any of the keys were wet.
“A girl spilling something just to get out of a conversation.” He winked then turned his attention to the drip that had started running down my thigh. He patted my knee, and then worked up toward the hem of my shorts.
Before I could tell him I could handle that part of the spill, the door opened and in walked Cole. I looked up and recognized the look on his face. I saw the same one the night at Bottoms Up when he was ready to slug that asshole. Shit.
I wiggled two steps back as fast as I could, as if suddenly Aiden was holding matches trying to light me on fire.
“What in the hell is going on?” Cole demanded.
“I spilled my coffee.” I raised the computer. “But the computer is fine.” I looked for a place I could set it safely.
“That’s not what I meant.”
The office suddenly seemed small with the two broad-shouldered men standing side by side. Seeing them next to each other, the family resemblance was uncanny.
“You must be Cole, my nephew.” Aiden extended his hand. “Uncle Aiden.”
The absurdity level had just risen to an all-time high. They should be cousins or brothers.
Cole’s eyes squinted, and I thought he would punch Aiden on the spot. “I told you not to step foot on this property.” He reached for his phone. “I’m calling the police and having you removed.”
“Wait, wait, wait.”
Aiden laid the wet towels on the desk and held up his hands in innocence. “You told me you wanted proof. I’m just here doing what you asked. I brought proof that I’m your uncle. Don’t you want to see it?” he asked.
I wanted to see it, but I knew this wasn’t the time to pipe in. I held my breath, waiting for Cole to respond in some way other than using his fists.
“What do you have?” He stepped away from Aiden, and I finally exhaled.
Aiden reached into his back pocket, withdrew a manila envelope, and shoved it into Cole’s hands.
“Call me after you’ve had a chance to look at it.” He walked out of the office.
Cole stared at the envelope and I studied his face. What in the hell was in there?
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