Page 10 of Until Then

Because I know exactly who I’m about to be confronted with.

Izzy James rounds the corner wearing a sheepish smile. “Um, hi. I’m making dinner. Hope that’s okay.”

Stunned, I stare at her, at a loss for why she’d be in my house. Why she’d be makingdinner.

The smile melts off her face. “Oh no. Layla didn’t ask you if I could stay here, did she? I’m so sorry.” She wrings her hands, chin lowered. “Let me finish this, then I’ll pack my stuff. I’ll be out of your hair in no time.”

I set my lunchbox down and dig my phone out of my pocket. “She called, but I was working, so I figured I’d call her after I got home and showered.”

Izzy shuffles awkwardly from side to side. “She gave me her key and told me to take the spare bedroom.”

With a hand held up between us, I dial Layla.

“Hey, Dad,” she answers. “How was work?”

Despite my annoyance, my chest warms like it does every time I hear my daughter’s voice. Even so, I keep my tone neutral and get to the point. “Good. Were you calling me for something?”

“Yeah,” she ways, a long breath leaving her. “Izzy needs a place to stay. She has a lot going on and she can’t stay with Via because… well, you know how she and Reid are.”

I grunt at this. I don’t like thinking about my son’s sex life.

Layla continues, her words coming fast. “The inn iscompletely booked. I know I should have okayed it with you first, but I went ahead and sent her over there.”

“I’m aware.”

She curses under her breath. “You’re home?”

“I’m home.”

She huffs, making the line crackle between us. “I’m sorry, Dad.”

“It’s fine. We’ll talk later.” I swallow back my frustration. It’ll keep.

“Be nice to her. She’s had a lot to deal with lately.”

I roll my eyes up to the ceiling. “I’m always nice.”

“Mhm,” she hums. “Love you, bye!” She hangs up before I can respond.

Once the screen goes dark, I drop my phone to my side and survey Izzy.

She doesn’t cower beneath my gaze. I have to give her credit there.

“Seriously. I thought you knew.”

With ahumph, I cross my arms over my chest and do my best to ignore how good it smells in here. “So you said. How long are you in town for?”

She grimaces. “A few months.”

“A few months?” I balk.

In the time I’ve known Izzy, I’ve never seen her embarrassed—not truly. But this time, her cheeks turn bright red, and finally, she averts her gaze.

“That was my original plan,” she says, back to wringing her hands, “but I think maybe I’ll head back sooner. Don’t want to be in anyone’s hair.”

Squinting, I really study her. The way her nose wrinkled when she mentioned going home, the defeated slump in her shoulders, her dull eyes. “Did something happen?”

“Happen? When?” She snaps her head up and scans the space, blinking uncomfortably.

---