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Mylegsjerkupand down as I sit in the front seat of Finn’s Porsche as we approach work. As we get closer to the building, I abruptly say, “Pull over!”
Finn’s head swings toward me. “Why?” he asks before focusing his attention back on the road.
“Just pull over. I want to get out here.” Far enough away from the Alessi building so no one sees me in Finn’s car.
Finn twists in the seat, giving a quick glance over his shoulder. “There’s nowhere to stop.”
“Double-park. I don’t care. I need to get out.”
“Is this because you don’t want to arrive at work together?”
I blow out a frustrated breath. Why isn’t he stopping already? “Yes.”
Finn pinches the bridge of his nose. “You’re being ridiculous. But if you’re so worried about it, from the garage we can take separate elevators to the office.”
I bite the side of my cuticle. That could work. “Fine.”
We pull into the parking garage. As we’re getting out of the car, Hayden pulls up beside us. I drop my head. Crap! Will he know we’ve spent the night together? We haven’t entered the office yet, and we’re already getting busted.
“Good morning,” Hayden says as he steps out of the car. His gaze travels over Finn and then me. When he looks back at Finn, he raises an eyebrow. I don’t miss the hidden question in his expression. He’s onto us.
“I thought Lily was sick and you were working from home today,” Finn says, ignoring Hayden’s surprise at seeing us together.
Walking to the elevators, Hayden shakes his head and rolls his eyes. “I found out she didn’t want to go to school because her teacher, Mrs. Sharpe, is away at a conference for the day, and she hates the substitute teacher. Thought if she said she was sick, she’d get to stay home. It nearly worked until I found her dancing to Katy Perry in her room this morning. She didn’t talk to me all the way to school.” He pulls a frustrated face.
Finn laughs. I smile. I didn’t know Hayden had a daughter. Is he married?
When the elevator doors open, Finn and Hayden step inside. I stay standing where I am. “Are you coming?” Hayden asks.
“She wants to take the next one. Doesn’t want to arrive with her boss in case people talk.” Finn gives me a cheeky grin.
The doors start to close, but Finn slaps a hand between them to keep them open.
“Do you have a problem arriving with two bosses? Give the team something toreallytalk about,” Finn jokes.
I can see how ridiculous I’m being, and I step into the elevator and shuffle as far away from Finn as possible. I ignore the knowing mirth in his eyes.
I haven’t seen Hayden in years, and I wonder what he thinks of me working at Alessi’s and being around Finn. Is there hostility? I can’t imagine he’d like me back in his brother’s life after what I put him through. How much has Finn told him? God, I hope not everything.
After a moment of uncomfortable silence, I ask, “How old is your daughter?”
When he doesn’t answer right away, I assume he’s ignoring me. Embarrassment pinches my cheeks. Then to my relief, he says, “She’s six going on sixteen.” Even though moments ago he sounded frustrated at her antics, I can see the love and pride for her shining from his eyes.
“Do you have any more children?” There’s so much about the Alessis I don’t know. They’d all gone on with their lives while mine felt stagnant.
He shakes his head. “No.”
He’s not exactly chatty. Although I don’t blame his wariness toward me. The doors ping open before I can ask any more questions.
“I need to see you in my office when you get the chance,” Hayden says to Finn. “See you around, Harper.”
I watch him amble up the hallway into his office. Our exchange was brief, but I can tell there’s no fuzzy, warm feelings toward me. Why would there be? I’d caused a ton of trouble.
“Do you think he knows we spent the night together?” I link my fingers.
“Absolutely,” Finn answers.
I palm my forehead. “Oh God. That’s exactly what I want to avoid.”
