Page 30 of Claim to Fame

“Jo is going to have a field day with this,” Sabrina said.

“You and my dad…” Tessa trailed off, her nose wrinkling in barely contained disgust.

“I don’t know what he told you—” Hannah began.

“Nothing. He didn’t tell us anything,” Kyla said reassuringly. “We wouldn’t even know about it if he hadn’t told Gavin who told me and then I kind of told them.” She flashed an apologetic smile. “Oops.”

Hannah sighed. “This is really awkward and I don’t think Ethan would appreciate us talking about it.”

“He definitely wouldn’t,” Tessa said. “And that’s why we’re not going to talk about it anymore, right, ladies? No more talking about my dad’s sex thing.” Hannah winced. “Sorry.”

“Okay, but can you at least tell us why Ethan goes to Boston? He’s always so twitchy about it. Unless he’s only going to meet you?” Sabrina asked.

“I honestly don’t know. The first time we met, he was already there, but I couldn’t tell you why.”

“He didn’t tell you?” Kyla asked.

“I guess you didn’t exactly spend all that much time talking,” Sabrina said.

“Sabrina!” Tessa screeched.

Oh, God, the ground can open up and swallow me whole now, please and thank you.

Sabrina laughed. “What? Hannah’s gorgeous, and Ethan oozes stern, daddy vibes—”

“And that’s enough of that,” Tessa said, clapping her hands. “Who’s ready for lunch?”

∞∞∞

“You look like hell.” Baz walked into Ethan’s office like it was his own, dropping a stack of files on the desk and taking a seat opposite Ethan. As if Ethan could focus on reconciling his finances today.

“It’s Cheryl and Ricky’s new rooster. It’s getting harder and harder to be their neighbor.”

Baz sucked his teeth and shook his head. “No, I don’t think that’s it.”

“It wouldn’t have something to do with the pretty brunette staying in your guest room, would it?” Gavin asked as he and Jamie joined them.

“What are you two doing here?” Ethan asked.

Jamie shrugged. “I’m here for moral support.”

“How’s Hannah?” Gavin sing-songed.

“You call this moral support?”

Jamie took a seat next to Baz. “You two seemed friendly enough last night.”

Ethan scowled and flipped through the folders Baz had deposited in front of him.

“More than friendly,” Baz added.

“Flirtatious even,” Gavin said, grinning.

“She doesn’t know anyone in the area. I didn’t like the idea of her spending her first night in town alone. That’s all,” Ethan said.

“Oh, is that all?” Gavin’s grin grew larger. “It didn’t have anything to do with the fact you kept staring at her ass?”

“Did not.”

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