And there’s the overprotective dad I know and love. “I’m fine. I was out late Friday night and worked all weekend on the details of the Thunder anniversary, that’s all.”
He narrows his gaze. “Fine. But get some sleep,” he orders.
I don’t roll my eyes. I’d never be outright disrespectful to Dad. “I’ll try,” I say.
“Good enough.”
“I have to get to the office,” I tell him.
He rises to his feet and I do the same. “Now give your old man another hug and promise you’ll come home for dinner soon.”
I smile. “That, I can do. Bye, Dad.” I leave on a high, feeling proud of myself. I’ve never found it difficult to make my parents proud, but this time? Knowing it’s been hard-earned? I’m floating.
I stop by a drive-through Starbucks on my way back to my office, picking up an iced venti chai latte for me, a regular latte for Ashlynn, and Kaylee’s favorite flavored drink. By the time I arrive at the office, it’s almost ten but I’ve already let them know I’ll be in late.
I push open the door and walk into my office, pausing by Ashlynn’s desk. “Hi, Ashlynn. How are you?” I ask. “I got you a regular latte.” I place the cup on her desk.
She slides her dark hair off her shoulders and smiles. “Thank you! That’s so sweet. And I’m good, thanks. You?”
“I’m great,” I tell her.
She grins. “Kaylee told me the good news. Congratulations.”
I nod. “Thank you.” I keep walking and join Kaylee in our shared office space. “An iced venti caramel latte for you,” I say, handing her the large cup.
“I love you! I’ve been dragging since I woke up on Saturday.” She flops back in her chair.
Laughing, I lower myself into the seat behind my desk. “Tell me about it. My father called me out for looking tired. No wonder I rarely drink more than one glass of alcohol anymore.”
“Ah, the perks of getting older,” she says.
“Bite your tongue. We’re not ancient.” I shudder at the thought, though the idea of turning thirty is a gut punch.
“How did the meeting with your dad go?” Kaylee asks.
I grin. “He loves the idea of coordinating with Midnight. I had to throw in community outreach, but that’s only going to make this idea better.”
She takes a sip of her latte. “So, what’s next?”
“The meeting with Lucas is next. That will get the ball rolling.”
She props her chin on her hands and grins. “I’d like to be a fly on the wall for that meeting.”
Shaking my head and not wanting to get into my feelings for Lucas, I glance down and start to sort through the mail sitting on my desk. These days, most things come via email but there’s always something that shows up the old-fashioned way, so I make sure to check it all.
As I flip through, a familiar-looking picture catches my attention. “A postcard with a Thunder stadium logo.” I wrinkle my nose. Last time I saw one of these was at a merch shop at the stadium. “Why would someone send this to me?” I turn it over to see a note in red marker on the back.
You think you’re special but you’re not. You don’t deserve good things. Go away!
“What the hell is this?” I ask, a shiver going through me.
Kaylee rises from her seat, rounds her desk, and comes up behind me. “Oh my God!” She rips the postcard from my hand. “Who would send something like this?”
I spin my chair around so I can see and talk to her. She looks at both sides of the card, her eyes narrowing.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Look. There’s no stamp on this. Ashlynn!” she calls out to our receptionist.
