I laughed. “That’s sweet.” My pocket vibrated and I sighed. “I gotta get back.”
“Right. Sure.” He gave me a rueful smile. “Thanks, fair Ryan.”
Poppy slid her hand into her dad’s. “Thanks, Ryan. I liked squishing my feet with you.”
“And I liked squishing my feet in the grass with you too.” I waved and padded to the edge of the grass then put my heels back on.
I checked my phone, and sure enough, PMS was looking for me. Considering I hadn’t taken a real lunch today, he could hold his very nice ass. And I ignored the immediate flutter at seeing his name.
Why, oh why, could that have happened with hot single dad with the accent?
When I drew that Page of Swords that morning, I had no idea I’d literally have a child flying into my life. The Universe had a damn sense of humor. Sighing, I crossed to Preston’s building. As I got into the elevator, my phone buzzed again. I checked the readout and typed back that I was on my way.
By the time the doors opened, half the lights in the office were shut off.
“PMS?”
“You do realize that using my unfortunate nickname isn’t professional.”
I rolled my eyes. “Do you see anyone here?”
“You were not here, so a client could have been in my office.”
“Don’t get your boxers in a twist. You said you had an appointment.” He was standing by my desk, a folder in hand. “Do you have anything you need me to do while you’re out?”
“No, you’ve done enough today. Try to be on time tomorrow. I have an important deposition at ten.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You mean you have one at eleven and are telling me an hour earlier?” I knew since I kept his schedule for him.
“It was just moved ahead. If you weren’t out galavanting, you’d have gotten the email notification.”
“Look, I skipped lunch thanks to prepping for your last client. Give me a break.”
He crossed his arms, his file tucked against his chest. “Is there a problem? You seem a little surlier than usual.”
“And how would you know that?” I was trying to rein it in, but he was right.
“We usually enjoy a sort of banter.”
“Enjoy?”
He dropped his hands to his sides. “Okay, now I know something’s wrong. I know for a fact you enjoy needling me.”
“It’s just a little residual energy from Stacey. I’ll be fine once I have a shower.”
“You didn’t shower this morning?” He frowned. “I—” He cleared his throat. “I’d have to say that was a definite yes from our…situation earlier.”
“Situation? Oh. The neck thing.” And the kissing thing. And the so many inappropriate tingles thing.
No big deal.
He frowned. “You forgot? Are there so many men in the same spot that you’ve forgotten?”
“What’s it to you? You’re the one with all the rules, not me. I’m a free agent.”
Yet annoyingly, that freaking delicious vet had done nothing for me. Sure, I was free as a damn bird.
Preston stiffened and a sheet of paper slipped from the folder and floated onto my shoe. He lunged for it, but I was quicker. My stomach bottomed out and every ounce of moisture dried in my mouth.