Dad stayed until the tow truck arrived. When he tried to handle the situation, I stepped between them. “If it was Jamie’s truck, would you let him handle this?”
Dad stepped back and apologized. “Go ahead.”
“Thank you.” It wasn’t much, but I’d take the victory.
A small step in gaining the respect I shouldn’t have to fight for. I fidgeted with the shop’s business card while I watched, with a mix of anger and sadness, the driver strapped O.P. to the winch and pulled her onto the flatbed.
Turning to my dad, I asked, “Can you take me to the repair shop?”
“I’ll take you,” Matt answered. “We can drop off your groceries first.”
Shit. I’d forgotten about my groceries. My shampoo washed the parking lot and the ice cream had turned into shakes in their cartons.
“I can grab what you need, just tell me what you bought,” Dad offered.
“Thanks, but-”
“Death by Chocolate and Pumpkin Cheesecake ice cream, pearl shampoo and anti-frizz conditioner, and a bag of gala apples,” Matt rattled off my list.
“You committed my groceries to memory?” I couldn’t tell if his skill impressed me or creeped me out.
Both.
Matt shrugged. “It’s a gift.”
My eye roll was involuntary.
“Got it. I’ll grab what you need and take it to Jack’s. I’ll brief him while spending some quality time with my granddaughter.”
I sighed.Between the foot-stomping, eye-rolling, and sighing, I’m not doing a good job of acting my age.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“You’re welcome.” Dad pulled Matt aside, but not far enough that I couldn’t hear them.
Chapter 12
Matt
“Keep my little girl safe.” John didn’t say ‘or else,’ but I heard it.
Christ.I raked my fingers through my hair.
If you’d asked me what my day would look like this morning, the last thing I would’ve predicted was John assigning me to fake date Madi while serving as her bodyguard.
Yet, here I am.What an absolute mindfuck.
“Yes, sir. With my life,” I said, meaning every word.
“Good.” He nodded and clapped my shoulder. “And Robinson, don’t cross the line.”
“No, sir. I wouldn’t dream of it.”
But I had. I would again because I had exactly zero control over my desire for Madi, who’d starred in every fantasy since that night in Spain.
John hugged his daughter, promised he’d get to the bottom of this, and then walked to the store with his phone to his ear.
“He’s already telling Jamie.” Madi sounded defeated.
