“Shit—Emilee!”
“What the heck, Dad?”
“What are you doing home?” I bark, grabbing the paper towels with one hand while slamming a new pod into the coffee maker with the other.
Hopefully, my skin absorbs the coffee—and fast.
Emilee snickers. “Um, I live here? Also, I came back early—Ana’s coming over.”
Fuck, that’s right.
I whip my head around and feel a kink in my neck as I do.
“Ana’s coming over? Why? Why is Ana coming over?”
Emilee squints at me. “Jesus, Dad. What iswrongwith you? You’re acting super weird. Chill.”
I wish I could. God, Ireallywish I could.
But right now? Chilling is not on the menu.
I watch in horror as she reaches for her vibrating phone and pulls up the building’s app.
“Ana’s here!” she announces, then skips off to buzz her in.
Meanwhile, I’m crouched in the kitchen, spreading paper towels across the floor like I’m trying to mop up the mess of my own damn life.
Emilee appears, just as I’m blotting the last puddle. “So, what didyoudo this weekend?”
I’m given a solid ten seconds to pull myself together.
“Nothing. I did absolutely nothing this weekend.”
Except get totally fucking naked with your best friend’s dad—just ask Ana.
The door swings open before I can even digest that thought.
“Hi, Mr. J. Seems I’m just in time for coffee. I’m beginning to love these mornings together,” Ana announces, completely unfazed.
I stand up from the floor, holding out a mug of black coffee like a peace offering.
Fucking hell.
I wipe a sheen of sweat from my forehead. “Good morning, Ana. Nice to see you again. How was your weekend?” I toss out, testing the waters.
She blows gently on her coffee, then lifts those knowing eyes to meet mine. “My dad’s downstairs in the car. He wants to see you.”
Of course he does.
Struggling to maintain my composure, I blow out a breath. “Sure, um, tell him I’m coming.” I practically choke on the words. What the hell is wrong with me? Tossing the paper towels into the trash, I add, “Just let me put on some clothes,” realizing that I’m in the kitchen with no shirt on again.
She smirks, clearly enjoying this. “No worries. I just texted him to come up instead.”
“I didn’t realize you knew Ana’s dad,” Emilee chimes in, casually popping a pod of hot chocolate into the single-service brewer.
Jesus.
I’ve been awake for all of two hours and already I feel like I’ve lived an entire day in a soap opera.
