Page 65 of Detention with Daddies

Angelica’s smile falls immediately, eyes going dark. “You’re always letting Olivia hang around, eat lunch in your office.”

My muscles tighten as my hands fist, arms still crossed. I knew she would go there, she’s got no shame or tact. “She is not my employee. You are. Boundaries, Miss Novak. Boundaries.”

She scowls. It’s more unattractive than her saccharine smiles.

“Return to your station.” I do my best not to growl at her, but it’s difficult.

Angelica stomps away, and I know new rumors are going to soar through the center. Gossip spreads too fast in this place.

It’s time for another meeting to remind the staff about appropriate behavior in the workplace, and I will be meeting with her supervisor about keeping a better eye on where she is and what she is doing.

Not a fan of micromanaging, but I do what I must to keep this place running to the best of my ability.

I stop by the nurses’ desk, gesturing to the head nurse for a quick conversation. Britney and Jeremy pass by, shooting me sour looks as I converse with Maddison.

“You understand where I’m coming from and what needs done?”

Maddison is nonplussed by my gruff demeanor and having this conversation—again. “I do, Dr. Rivers. I will have another talk with her. Do I need to officially document this for her file?”

I frown again. “No. Not for this. She hasn’t crossed the line yet, but she is skirting it. Just keep an eye on her, and do your best to keep her in line. I would hate to lose her. She’s a good nurse.”

It’s the only reason I’ve kept her on staff thus far. She’s smart, and she’s good with the patients.

I make my way to the cafeteria to grab lunch and spot Olivia already sitting with Nick, eating. I’m tempted to sit with them. When she sees me, she waves me over, so I approach and stand at the end of their table for a moment.

“Hey, boss man. Why the frowny face?” Nick asks, and it makes me frown deeper. He sits up, more serious. “Uh oh.”

Olivia has big, round eyes too, but her inquiry is softer, more concerned, touching that beating muscle in my chest with such ease and care. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head.

Olivia pats the spot next to her, and I cave, sitting with them and leaning on my forearms.

I clear my throat and share a knowing look with Nick. “How has Britney been this past week?”

Because if her best friend has started acting up again, I can only assume the other two in her trio are also being inappropriate. They never do anything without each other.

Nick clears his throat and looks away. Exactly as I thought.

“What’s going on?” Olivia puts a hand on my arm briefly before taking it back, too aware of where we are and how many people are watching.

I’m reassured by the touch, even if Nick clocks it and leans into the table on his elbows.

“The trio have some issues with being rejected,” he says, and I’m glad I don’t have to explain. I truly hate this part of my job.

Understanding dawns on Olivia’s face. “Wow. Let me guess, Britney has propositioned you?”

Nick laughs darkly. “More than once.”

She turns to me. “And let me guess, Angelica has her eyes set on you?”

I grimace and nod, tucking into my food and eating faster than I should.

“My God. And Jeremy?”

Nick grins at her around his bite of food. “Waylen Wright.”

Olivia snorts, head falling back with a delighted laugh. “Wow. They all have eyes bigger than their stomachs, don’t they?”

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