Page 68 of The Knockout Rule

Isla whipped off her sunglasses and did a little jump. She’d know that voice anywhere. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

Heather spun around and beamed. “Of course I’m here.”

No other explanation was needed. Heather was her best friend. They’d spoken every night since Isla had confessed the mess that was her life. Who else would drop everything and fly to Sin City to show her support…and eat a fried bologna sandwich.

They hugged and laughed. Heather pulled back and frowned. “Your eyes are puffy.”

“Therapy session. There were tears, but it was good.”

“I like the sound of that, and I love the madness of this place. Can’t believe I’ve never been to Vegas. I’m only here for two days, but you need to show me everything, including the hunky boxer.”

A non-hunky boxer joined them and crossed his arms. Isla’s father regarded Heather. “This is a nice surprise.”

“Then why aren’t you smiling?”

“I am.” He stared at her with his usual half-snarl.

Heather laughed. “I missed your face, Graham.”

The corner of his lips twitched. “Nice to see you, too.”

Throngs of tourists bustled around them, the doors in constant motion as people came and went. Where the busyness had irritated Isla at times while in this nutty town, today the action elevated her mood. Even while facing her stubborn-ass father.

“Did you have a good morning?” she asked him tentatively. He hadn’t called her again to cover for him, but she was still on edge, waiting for a sign that he was unwell.

Instead of being annoyed with her prodding, he relaxed his stance and squeezed her arm. “Feeling great, Princess. We should all do dinner tonight. I like seeing what Heather orders to eat.”

Heather pursed her lips. “I’m not sure if I should be offended.”

A wheezy sound came from his damaged nose: the hint of a laugh. “You’re impossible to offend.”

“True. But I’m only in if the boxer joins us.”

He frowned. “I am joining you.”

“Not you, big man. The other boxer.” Heather gave Isla a nudge and bawdy wink.

Isla cringed and snuck a look at her dad. She hadn’t mentioned the Eric Development to him, wasn’t sure how he’d react.

On cue, his gaze snapped to Isla. “Is something going on with you and Brick?”

“Maybe?” Definitely if spending every night together this week and flirting shamelessly counted as something. But she hadn’t planned to tell her father about Eric until after the fight, when her dad wouldn’t worry she’d spill his big secret to the man she was dating. A man who was his employer.

He clasped her arm and dragged her away from Heather. “How long has this been going on?”

“Nothing’s going on yet.” She poked her head around his thick body and gave Heather an apologetic smile. “Excuse us while my father behaves rudely.”

“That’s okay,” Heather said. “My stomach will just eat itself while I wait for you.” She pulled out her phone and strolled away.

Swinging Graham Slade didn’t relent. “Don’t lie to me, Isla.”

Said the man who’d lied to his daughter’s face for two years. “Eric and I like each other, but we’re taking it slow. And before you say anything, I haven’t said a word about your health. So don’t go freaking out about that.”

His wide nostrils flared, the wheezy sound more angry than amused this time. “You can’t date him.”

She shrugged out of his grip. “Why the hell not?”

Not only was she ready to test her boundaries with Eric, they’d had an amazing week together. Their physio work had been peppered with more laughter and teasing touches. They’d spent their nights in his hotel room, poring over her website construction, bouncing ideas off each other, or just reading while Whit rested his head on Isla’s lap and they ordered room service. The sexual tension was ever-present, stretching as Eric would lean over her to pat Whit, or when she’d teasingly pinch Eric’s side, pretending she was about to tickle the hulking boxer. Through it all, they were developing an incredible friendship.