I didn’t even argue. I just tore into my pasta and shrugged. “I’m just tired.”
“Mmhmm.”
My phone rang with a different kind of interruption. I quickly answered on speaker. “Hey, old man.”
“Watch your mouth,” my dad said in that smooth voice of his. “Change of plans for Christmas this year.”
I swallowed my food and leaned back. “Daddy, no. That’sourholiday.”
“My lady friend got us tickets to Cancun, so we fly out on Christmas morning, baby. Christmas Eve it is this year. So, what you cooking for your old man?”
I blinked. “Hold on. Back up. So we’re just replacing women every holiday now?”
He laughed. “You know your daddy still got it. Don’t hate.”
I laughed, forcing myself to sound lighter than I felt. “Fine. I’ll see you on Christmas Eve.”
“Alright. I’ll text you a few things to grab when you hit the store. You know I want your famous cajun turkey wings, that mac, and some greens.”
“So greedy…”
“Love you, baby girl.”
“Love you too.”
My thumb slipped. The screen flipped before I could stop it, and suddenly… Woods’ face filled my phone. He was in his office, a branded tee on, leaning back just enough. Goddamn, he was fine.
His voice came through, low and smooth. “What’s up, gorgeous? You good?”
Poking around my pasta, I sat up straighter in my chair. “Yeah, I’m good.”
He didn’t blink. “You sure? Ain’t heard from you in a couple days.”
I nodded, already knowing I wasn’t hiding it well. “It’s just… I’ve been having long days. That’s all,” I replied, wishing I could admit just how overwhelmed I really was. Troi slid his chair back and crossed his legs like he was watching an episode of reality TV. I ignored his ass.
Woods studied me for another beat. “You look… tired.”
“I’m working. It’s the holidays. Everybody wants to be cute for Christmas.”
He nodded slowly, not saying much at first, just letting the silence work. His gaze didn’t leave mine, not even once, and I felt exposed. It was like he could see all the way through me and down into the pit of my stomach where the truth was sitting.
“You been dodgin’ my calls?” he asked, voice still calm. “Or I’m just trippin’?”
I looked down at my half-eaten lunch. “It’s not even like that.”
“You always busy now?”
I looked up. He was still watching me like a man who already knew something wasn’t right but was waiting to see if I’d lie about it. “Quamaine…” I started, but stopped.
“Hmm?”
“I’m fine.”
“I hear you, Autumn.”
Troi cleared his throat, licking his fingers. “Lemme go make sure my next client ain’t curlin’ her own damn hair while you over here playin’ around.”
I side-eyed him as he left the break room, then looked back at the screen, my heart heavy. “I gotta go,” I said quietly, not trusting my voice to say more.
