“Deal with him? Honestly, Dash, you’re so rude to family,” he huffs as he looks at the degrees on my wall and then walks away from them. “I could understand if you were talking to the help.”
He motions towards the door Geoff just walked out of and I want to punch him in the mouth. Geoff is more loyal than Josh would ever be to this family.
“Let’s not play games. Why are you here? Do you need money?” I know I’ve struck a chord when he narrows his eyes at me.
“No. I’m just checking in on my future office. I need to take some measurements. Fiona wants to redecorate the space when I take over.”
“Tell your wife to spend her extra time with her tennis instructor. That’s the one that got her pregnant, right?”
Direct hit once again as I see the flash of anger in his eyes and the color rise on his neck. “Speaking of pregnant, I hear you still can’t find a woman willing to let you fuck her.”
“I guess I’m not as easily fooled as you, cousin. How many mistresses do you have again? Does Fiona only know about the underage nanny, or the other women all over town?”
“Mind your business,” he hisses as he takes a step toward me.
He catches himself before he lashes out and smooths back his black hair. He takes a breath and straightens his tie as he forces a smile.
“The deadline is fast approaching and I don’t see you crossing the finish line,” he says, trying to relax. “I have my lawyers on standby.”
“I’m sure you do,” I agree, unwilling to give him anything.
He’s here to try and get information from me, or at the very least to rile me up. I won’t let him have the satisfaction, so I just smile and nod. It will get him out of here faster.
“Well, I’ve got business to attend to. I just thought I’d stop by and pay a visit to my favorite cousin while I was nearby.” He walks toward the door of my office but pauses and turns around. “Oh, I forgot to mention. I heard you were in the zoo last night. Interesting place to have dinner.”
I feel my own anger rise this time, but I don’t let it show on the outside. I give him a tight-lipped smile and wait for him to get out before I tear him apart.
“See you soon, cousin.” Josh winks at me before he swings the door wide open and walks out.
He’s left me standing there wondering two things. One, how the fuck did he know where I was last night, and two, does he know about Brooklyn?
Chapter Seven
Brooklyn
I send out my end-of-the-day newsletter before I shut my computer down. I’ve been counting down the minutes until I see Dash again. I’m hoping to get home and out the door before any of the girls see me. Otherwise they’ll drag him into the apartment and I’m not really sure what will happen from there.
They tried to grill me when I got home last night, but it was late and I had to be up early. I didn’t mention I would be going out again tonight. I’m sure they have plans for a full interrogation tonight. It was implied in their texts throughout the day. I sent a few lols and laughing faces but never actually said I would be there. They’re going to kill me.
“Are you Miss Tanner?” I turn toward my classroom door to see a man in a suit filling the space. I know all my students’ parents and although his face isn’t familiar, something about his eyes is.
“I am. Can I help you find something?”
He runs a hand through his slicked-back hair, which is too dark for the wrinkles around his eyes. I never understood why some men dye the gray out of their hair. I think it looks good on most men.
“I’m thinking about enrolling my son and I’m doing a tour of the school.”
“Oh, how old is he?” I step out from behind my desk and grab my bag so I can slip my phone inside.
“Six. I was told he’d be in your class.” He steps farther into my room and holds his hand out. “I’m Josh.”
“Brooklyn.” I take his hand and he gives it a firm shake but then holds on to it. “You’re welcome to take a look around,” I offer. All the kids are gone for the day and it’s only a few teachers at this hour.
“That’s really nice of you.” I pull my hand from his when he doesn’t let it go. “But you look like you’re heading out. Want to get a coffee instead?” He leans closer to me and smirks. “Or happy hour?”
“I’m sorry. I actually have plans.” It’s not a lie, but I would never go out with a student’s father. I don’t care that he’s only a potential one at this point. Plus, I think I’m taken. I could be wrong since some people date multiple people at a time, but I don’t let my mind go down that path. It’s way too early to have those thoughts.