Page 19 of Heatwaves

He scoffs.“This ought to be good. Well, go on and tell me so I can figure out what to tell your mom.”

“Have I ever told you how much I love you?”

“A time or two.”He laughs.

“Jimmy, my new COO, emailed me after I left the office, letting me know tomorrow will be his last day—“

“That’s not legal. I can start up a suit against him as soon as I get to the office in the morning.”Dad sounds pissed, making me smile. He’s always had my back, and we think so much alike—it’s not evenfunny.

I don’t quite hold back my laughter. “Thanks, Dad, but I’m going to handle it. I’m going to call his new employer in the morning. James Carrigan is the CEO, and you know he loves me.”

“And he’s a whale shifter, so he knows what’s up.”

“Yes, he does. Something tells me when I hang up the phone Jimmy will no longer have a job. Especially not after I fire him.”

Dad laughs before growing serious.“You’re going to have to do interviews for people at the temp office, which is going to take most of the day. I’m sorry, honey. That sounds like a rough day for you, and there’s definitely no way you’re getting off at four like you planned. I’ll let your mom know, and we’ll push dinner back to, let’s say, eight? Do you think that’ll work for you?”

“Yeah, Dad. If I haven’t found anyone by six, I’ll just have to schedule more interviews for Saturday.” I settle back in my chair, already feeling better about everything. “Thank you for always being here for me.”

“Always, honey. Always. Go get yourself a glass of wine and watch some TV or read. Go take a bath. Anything to help you relax, yeah?”

I sigh. “That sounds like a great idea, Dad. Thanks again for talking to Mom for me.”

“Honey, I’ve been playing the go-between for the two of you for at least two decades. I’m used to it. I love you.”

“Love you, too!”

Hanging up the phone, I slip it into my pocket and head for the fridge. Pouring myself a large glass of my favorite wine, I make my way upstairs to my bathroom. Filling the gloriously large bathtub with steaming hot water and bubbles, I smile.

Tomorrow is definitely going to suck, but tonight doesn’t have to.

Setting the glass on the corner of the tub, I walk back into my bedroom and shuck my clothes. Once finished, I grab my e-reader and head back into the bathroom.

I climb inside even though it’s not completely full yet, hissing as the heat hits my skin. Yes, I’m one of those people who likes water hot enough to boil off their skin, but I can already feel my muscles relaxing.

A good book, a hot bath, and my favorite wine sounds like just what the doctor ordered.

I’m exhausted by the time I make it to my parents’ house, but my mom should be happy since I’m getting here thirty minutes before I said I would.

Who am I kidding? She’s probably annoyed that she had to push it back in the first place.

Unlocking the door, I step inside. “Mom? Dad? I’m here.”

Mom comes bursting around the corner, eyes narrowed. “Your father said you wouldn’t be here until eight. Dinner isn’t ready.”

“That’s okay, Mom. I was able to find someone to hire full-time as COO and got done earlier than I thought I would. I’ll hang out with you and Dad while you finish up.” I pause. “Unless you’d rather I go wait in my car for thirtyminutes.”

Mom throws her hands up in the air. “Of course I don’t want you waiting in your car. What kind of mother do you think I am?”

I don’t think she wants me to answer that question, so I keep my mouth shut as I follow her to the kitchen. Dad is sitting in his favorite recliner in the living room. He tears his eyes away from whatever sports he’s currently watching to send me a smile.

“Hi, honey. You’re early. That must mean things went well.”

“Well enough.” Pausing next to my mom, I tell her, “It smells really good, Mom. No one cooks like you.”

She preens under my compliments before shooing me toward the living room. “Go sit with your dad and tell us what happened today.”

Pressing a kiss to her cheek, I smile. I wish things were like this between the two of us more often. More times than not, the two of us end up having some kind of fight when we’re together. Maybe tonight will be different. I guess only time will tell.

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