She twists her lips and turns away. “I’ll show you my office.”
I place my hand on the small of her back and walk with her. She doesn’t seem to mind that. As she points out the different departments, I look around the office. It’s a big floor. Rich works on the opposite side, but apparently that doesn’t keep him away. I don’t know what he looks like, but I think I’ll know him if I see him. In case there’s any question the roses are from me, I keep my hand where it is. If he’s not here to see it, maybe someone will deliver the message.
Halston stops at a desk where a girl around her age is working on a computer. “Benny, this is Finn.”
Benny arches her eyebrows, looking between us. “Finn? The guy who . . . the one—”
“The very same,” I say. “I think I have you to thank for sending her to my doorstep that night.”
Benny’s cheeks redden. “It was my friend, Cara. She’s loony.”
I kiss the side of Halston’s head. “Thank her for me, Benny.”
Benny and Halston exchange a look that makes me wonder what I’m missing. “Dad?” Halston asks.
“Across town,” Benny says.
Halston exhales a breath and finally takes my hand. She pulls me into her office, shuts the door, and leans back against it. “I know why you’re here.”
“You do?”
“My office is on your fuck-et list.”
I straighten up. “Mywhat?”
“Your bucket list for fucking. You said you wanted to do it in a car, on a plane, on a train, riding a bicycle, during a game of tennis—”
I laugh. “I didnotlist all those, and that’s not why I’m here. Swear. I think about you when we’re apart, and I never know exactly where to picture you.” I glance around the office. There’s nothing on the walls, a couple second-hand-looking chairs, and a messy desk. “Now I know.”
“I’ve never gotten around to decorating.” She nods at a small couch against the wall behind me. “Just some pillows.”
“Now you’ll have flowers too.” I walk over and take the roses from her, pricking myself with a thorn.Damn it. “I think you should display them on Benny’s desk so everyone can enjoy them.”
“By everyone, do you mean Rich?” she asks.
Busted. “Nah. You look beautiful, by the way.”
She rolls her eyes. “I told you I’d handle him.”
“I know. I’m just checking on things like a good boyfriend.”
Halston scratches the inside of her elbow, absentmindedly, sluggishly, as if she’s thinking. I didn’t think she’d like me checking up on her, it sounds like a Dad move, but I’m willing to take the heat if it means getting Rich off her back. She sighs. “Look. My dad doesn’t know about us. He’s protective. I’ll tell him when the time’s right.”
I kiss her on the forehead, no small feat since she’s in flats today and barely comes up to my chest. I get it. I’m a dad myself. And if he cares about his daughter the way I do mine, the way I care aboutHalston, I’d feel the same. “Don’t worry about it. You said you had some e-mails to send?”
“I can do it later.”
“It’s fine. I’ll use the restroom while you finish up.”
“Okay.” She gives me directions, but I’m not listening. I turn to leave her office. “You’re taking the roses?” she asks.
“You ever been in a men’s bathroom?” I ask. “I need somewhere to stick my face. The smell alone—”
“Yuck.” She waves her hands. “I don’t need details.”
I exit her office, close the door behind me, and walk no more than five steps. “What’s the deal?” I ask Benny.
She looks up at me and blinks. “Sorry?”
