Page 57 of Abyss

Fine. She’s not terrible at her job.

Maddy

Wow, Dad. That’s like a raving 5-star review from you. You’re welcome for the referral, by the way. Feel free to give me a referral bonus in the form of a lavish wedding gift.

I snort, typing out my response.

Me

Pretty sure using my farmhouse, decorating it with peonies and God-knows-what, suffices as your lavish wedding gift.

She has no idea, of course, that I have already booked a villa and flights to Mykonos for her and Brie for their honeymoon.

Maddy

Speaking of Kavi, I have her seated on the other side, next to one of Brie’s friends from college. His name is Adam, and Brie and I think they might really hit it off. He actually lives a half hour outside of Portland, so we’re hoping to set them up.

I shift uncomfortably in my seat, as if I’m sitting on hot coals, my good mood plummeting with each word I read from my daughter’s text.

I type a response before deleting and retyping it, trying to sprinkle in a little humor. Though, the last thing I feel is humorous as something green and grotesque unveils itself inside me.

Me

Oh? Is she aware of your side hustle as a matchmaker?

My fingers drum an unsteady beat on my desk as I await her response, my stomach churning like a stormy sea.

Maddy

Oh yeah. She’s excited to meet him.

Yeah, I don’t fucking think so.

I don’t bother responding, picking up my office phone to call Kavi in before I even know what I’m doing.

Blood pumps through my veins like a turbulent river while my mind swims with the visions of some faceless asshole holding her, touching her . . .

I rise from my seat, pacing to collect my thoughts, when I hear the thumps of her boots in the hallway outside my door.

She knocks before letting herself in, her golden gaze nervously taking in the green goblin fuming back at her. “W-what’s wrong?”

I ignore the way her thighs look under the too-short, light blue skirt she has on today, or the way her fucking sweet scent filters through the air, charging at me.

“Are you taking a plus-one to Maddy’s wedding?” I ask through thinned lips.

Her dark brows knit. That was not the response she was expecting. “What?”

“She said you weren’t taking a plus-one.”

“You asked Maddy if I was bringing anyone?” Kavi steps forward, coming to the middle of the room.

“No. She told me you were excited at the possibility of meeting some douchebag they were trying to set you up with.”

Kavi’s mouth opens for a moment before she closes it, likely wondering where the hell I’m going with my line of questioning. I’m wondering the same, but clearly, I can’t help myself. “Okay . . . And?”

I swallow, realizing I’ve covered the steps between us without even realizing it. “And that’s not part of our arrangement.”

She scoffs. “I’m sorry,what?”

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