Page 16 of Detention with Daddies

A renewed warmth fills me. One filled with gratitude and respect for my savior and the quick out.

I smile and turn toward him. We’re so close that this looks far more intimate than it should. And I don’t care one bit, not with the way their smiles and good-natured attitudes instantly drop.

The nickname is a great touch.

Salazar smiles back at me, all big and genuine. Affectionate.

He pulls out my chair for me and takes my tray like we’re on a date.

The sour faces from the trio are perfect.

MATTEO

Ivan is in the office with me today for a teacher planning day. He’s being quiet on his game, and I can’t be bothered to force him to read a book instead. I’m up to my ears with paperwork.

But when we go to grab lunch at the cafeteria, I hear the trio cackling and spot Olivia sitting with them. That doesn’t bode well.

I can’t hear their conversation from here except for the short few words from Britney. “Don’t get offended.”

My frown deepens.

Olivia has made friends with Nick Salazar, and Britney has been notoriously hounding him for a date. The jealousy in this interaction is obvious.

Angelica glances at me, catching my gaze on them, and her cheeks go rosy. Yes, I see what you’re doing, and I do not approve.

You would think it enough to make her change her behavior, but it’s never helped in the past.

When Nick bends behind Olivia to say something in her ear, the group goes quiet and still. I’m gauging whether or not I need to step in and separate them, but Nick helps her with her tray asshe stands, leaving the trio with sour expressions, like their new toy has been taken away.

I will need to have a conversation with those three. Again.

Ivan frowns too, noticing them. “Dad, were those guys being dicks to her?”

“It looks like it.” The barest bit of gruff enters my voice.

My son seems to notice as he looks up at me. “You’re going to do something about that, aren’t you?”

I take a breath before answering. “Yes, but not here.”

Ushering Ivan back to my office, I write an email before I touch my food.

Olivia, please come talk to me today when you have a free moment. Dr. Rivers

Once I’ve sent it, I realize it probably sounds like she’s in trouble. I can’t take it back though, so I dig into my chicken Caesar salad and glance through the files I need to review. At least three of the new graduate students need to have someone evaluate their progress.

I send out a few more emails to get that started, spreading the work out since I cannot go and observe them myself. It would usually be my job, but with Marie gone, I can only attend to half of my normal duties. Only four more weeks before she’s back, although she messaged me yesterday to ask if she could start a little early from home to ease herself back into the swing of things.

I jumped on the chance. Yes, please take this mountain of paperwork from me. I feel buried alive under it.

After an hour, Olivia appears at my door, tentatively knocking. She smiles, but it’s a small, worried one.

And her beauty hits me again. Bright green eyes made brighter by the tone of her red hair. Round pink cheeks. A delectable red mouth. A smattering of freckles across her pale skin.

The way her top clings to her and outlines her ample curves. Those pants snug to her hips and thighs as she crosses one leg over another. They’re shapely and plump.

Mostly though, it’s the sweetness that radiates from her. The genuine care she exudes paired with her kindness.

“Hey. I’m not interrupting am I?” She glances at Ivan and bites the edge of her smile.

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