Daddy's Little Assistant (Daddy 9)

“One of the owners, Caleb, gave us that name.” Vic laughed. “Unfortunately, it stuck, but we’re used to it now.”

“I’m a little worried. What’s he going to start calling me?” Eli asked.

“Since you’re one of the owners, you’ll probably be called an asshole.”

Her lips turned down. “Caleb shouldn’t call people names.”

Both men looked at her.

“You’re right,” Eli said. “I don’t think he’s trying to hurt anyone’s feelings. Guys sometimes like to raze each other. They’re just playing.”

“Oh,” she said and shrugged. She had no idea what they were talking about, so she stopped asking.

“You ready to go home, cuz?”

Kinley’s gaze flew to Eli’s. She didn’t know if she should stay or not.

“I…”

Eli grabbed the books in her hands. “Grab your bag and go on home. You worked hard today, and you’ve got to be tired. I know I am.”

“Where is your bed?” she asked and then blushed. “I mean, where are you staying?”

“A hotel a couple blocks away.”

“That’s awful. You can’t live in a hotel, Eli. Are you going to use one of the condos here?”

“I’m thinking about it. Have you seen them? Are they comfortable?”

“Oh, yes. I’ve seen one, and I’ve been told they are all pretty nice. I think you’ll really like them.”

“Okay. I can always get a house later, right?”

“Yes.” She got to the door and paused. “But what are you going to eat?”

Eli grinned. “Stop worrying about me. I promise I’ll be fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She didn’t know why she felt so bad that she had to wait several hours to see him again. It was ridiculous. They’d only just met.

“All right. Have a good night.”

She followed Vic down the hallway and half-listened to the new things the eggheads had come up with that day. She must have nodded because her cousin kept talking all the way home to their apartment.

After she showered and changed into her sweats, she made a quick pasta for the two of them. She took Vic a plate into his bedroom, where he had his huge computer set up. He had a single bed with a rumpled Star Wars blanket up against the wall because he didn’t want to take up space. He’d shoved a small dresser into his closet, so the only furniture in the room was a nightstand and the long desk he’d somehow gotten in the room. One whole wall was monitors, and he usually had them all going at the same time.

She set it to the side because she knew he’d eat when he was ready, and turned to go.

“Hey, cuz.”

She turned back. “What?”

“So, this new partner…”

“What about him?”

Vic grinned. “He likes you.”

She smiled. “I like him, too. He’s a nice man.”

Vic snorted. “No, I mean, he likes you.”

She must have looked confused because he smiled, lifted his plate, and then ate.

Kinley rolled her eyes, turned, and went back into the living room to eat her own food.

A few hours later, she lay in bed and couldn’t fall asleep because she kept thinking about Eli. She’d had the best day ever and was looking forward to the next. She turned on her side and slept.