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Elizabeth meandered into the room, perching on a nearby chair. She wouldn’t even look at me. “Dad, can I work at the office with you?”
What game was she playing now?Not wanting to raise any suspicions, I kept my thoughts to myself, but my eyes narrowed on her.
James offered me a grin before turning back to her. “Of course.” He laughed. “What the hell has this guy been putting you through that would make you want to come back to the office?” He joked, though neither of us showed an ounce of amusement.
Finally, she tore her gaze away from him, focusing on me. “I’d just appreciate a change of scenery, that’s all. Something less risky, I guess.” Gnawing the inside of her cheek, she looked at him once again. “Is that okay, daddy?”
“You know it is.”
“What’s that?” She bowed her head at the mess before us.
“Business stuff.” He closed his briefcase, standing. “Sorry to cut the visit short, but I have to go into the city for a meeting.” I knew he no longer wanted to discuss it in her presence. “Just go through all that and get back to me, cool?”
I locked my gaze on Elizabeth. “Yes, I will.”
I stood, crossing my arms.
James’s gaze lowered to the floor. “You dropped something.”
Elizabeth and I looked at the floor simultaneously. I didn’t have to make eye contact with her to know her eyes were probably just as wide as mine. Leaning over, I scooped her bikini bottoms up, shoving them back into my pocket. “From the other night. Oops.”
“Hmm, okay.” He cleared his throat, averting his gaze to a mortified Elizabeth. “Well, are you ready?”
She nodded, glimpsing at me, then hurried to the front door. Confused, I followed them both. Without a word, she stepped outside onto the wrap-around front porch, then marched to James’s car.
He scoffed, spinning around. “You must have really pissed her off, man.”
He was right. I pissed her off, though I didn’t know how or when. Maybe I talked in my sleep? “Lizzie.”
Her shoulders lifted and fell as if she took a deep breath. She pivoted toward me as her father approached the car. Crossing her arms, she arched a brow.
“If you change your mind about coming back over to help, you know you’re welcome here any time.”
Wordlessly, she diverted her attention to the car as she yanked the door open and slid in.
Over the next two weeks, I assisted my father at his law firm. Staying busy helped, but it only did so much. My mind was still on what Vincenzo said in Atlantic City. I tried my best not to read into it, but unfortunately, I did. After all, I’m human and was suffering from much more than a crush.
Today, my dad volunteered the information that Vincenzo was out of town, but I just thought it was like last time. He was just in the city doing whatever illegal business he has there. Sadly, I was further curious, wondering if he was at least thinking about me. Or had he erased what we had in his mind and moved on with another woman? Nosy, I texted Maddie, knowing she had to work today.
Hey, are you at work?
Sighing, I plopped down on the brown leather couch in the middle of my father’s office, lying back on a black throw pillow. His executive desk was littered with folders and two open laptops. Furrowing his brow, he ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated at whatever case he was focused on now. After several minutes of pure silence, he peeked up from his computer. I did not dare make eye contact with him.
“Are you excited about the trip?” Why was he making small talk as if he weren’t comfortable? He’d been acting strange.
“Yeah.” I shifted on the sofa, staring at the ceiling. “I am.”
Every year, my parents planned a luxurious getaway to different destinations all over the world. It was always a great way to end the summer and kick off the new school year. In the past, we’d always gone a couple of weeks before school started, but they’d backed it up this year by a month. I found that odd.
This year, they’d chosen an adult only all-inclusive resort in Turks and Caicos. I’d been looking forward to it, but now I wasn’t sure I still wanted to go. Between my parents constantly bickering and Vincenzo coming, it seemed like it was going to be a nightmare.
“Was Maddie able to arrange it so she could come?” He lowered his gaze back to his laptop.
I glanced over at him. “Yeah, her new boss let her off.”
His gaze lifted, and he gave a half-smile. “Good. I'm really glad.”
My phone vibrated in my lap. I swiped it open, seeing she’d replied.
