“We’ll see what we can do.”
“Excuse me, everyone!” the store manager yells, waving her arm in the air as she hustles toward Kat, her cheeks pink and her eyes wide. “They justannounced the winner of the Chicago Children’s Outreach Award!” With a dramatic pause, she adds, “Congratulations, Miss Harrington!”
The room erupts as Kat stands, hugging the manager before turning back to the crowd and placing a hand over her heart. I can’t hear the words she says but everyone cheers and claps as Kat wipes at her face. Hazel pulls her into a hug, the two of them rocking back and forth in celebration.
I can’t see their faces but from where I’m standing, it appears genuine. Even Amelia’s expression is warmer than I expected given her initial interaction with Kat when she arrived.
Could it be possible we’re barking up the wrong tree?
Or is this all for show?
Nico gives me a nod, excusing himself as his words replay in my mind.“I guess books really can change your life.”
They can, but it’s just a matter of time before I find out just how much.
25
TOM
“Ithink I could probably sleep for a week,” Kat says, her head lolling to the side as we drive back to her house.
“You did great today. It looked like you sold out.”
“I did.” She beams, covering her face in her hands. “I’ve never done that before.”
“And the award. That’s incredible, Kat. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. It’s just so unreal. Today was a whirlwind.” Sobering, she adds, “I’m sorry about Nico. I just saw him and I got so nervous and?—”
“You did exactly what I asked you to do. I’d rather have a hundred of those interactions where I can rule someone out rather than you be on the fence and discount someone who is an actual threat because you didn’t want to make waves.”
“It’s annoying when you’re logical,” she muses, her dress riding up her thigh as she moves around in her seat, her fingers absentmindedly tracing along the edge of the skirt.
So fucking tempting.
And after today, all I want to do is flip that dress up over her hips and bury my face between her legs.
Reward her for doing so well today.
Praise her for her accomplishments.
And punish her for tempting me to cross that line.
“What happened with Nico?” she asks, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth, something that isdefinitelynot helping my resolve.
“I offered him a job.”
“You did? Really?”
“He’d have to be screened more thoroughly than the five minutes Royce had but yes, sometimes it just happens that way.”
Releasing a breath, she sighs. “That’s good.”
“Why?”
“I was talking to his mom. He’s been struggling since his divorce, trying to provide some stability for the girls, and she hinted that he was looking to get out of that department.”
“How did you feel talking to him?”
