Page 112 of I Knead You Tonight

“I still hate you too.”

Slice Eighteen

Winston

“Is it April Fool’s Day or something?”

“No.”

“Then what the hell are you doing here at this hour? You’ve been late to work plenty of times, but never early.”

I grunt at my father’s attempt to be funny. “Don’t quit your day job, Pops. Comedy is not your strong suit.”

“What are you talking about? I’m hilarious. My employees laugh at my jokes all the time. And besides, Beth thinks I’m a hoot. Right, hon?”

My dad’s girlfriend smiles. “Right.”

“Your employees laugh because they’re afraid you’ll fire them. Beth laughs because you’re knocking boots.” I wink at her. “Right, hon?”

Beth tries to hold in her laugh, because we both know I’m right.

“You”—he points to Beth—“are so on my shit list now.”

“I’m shaking in my boots,” she taunts.

“They the same ones you wear when we’re knocking them?” He waggles his brows at her.

“Ugh, Dad.” I gag. “Can you just not?”

He laughs. “Where’s your sister? She’s my new favorite. You’re no fun.”

“She’s always your favorite, you mean,” I say, taking a seat across from him in his office.

His brows lower and he frowns. “That’s not true. I love you both equally…in general.”

“In general? Oh, please elaborate. I’m dying to hear exactly what that means.”

Beth squeaks and presses a kiss to his cheek. “I’ll leave you two be. This sounds like it might get serious.”

She gives me a wave and closes the door behind her, leaving my dad and me alone.

“I just mean your sister is a little more…pleasant to deal with on most days.”

“So what you mean to say is I’m a dick?”

“Yes.”

I sputter out a laugh. “Gee, thanks.”

“Hey, that’s no one’s fault but your own.”

“Drew thinks I’m a grump too.”

“She isn’t wrong,” he agrees, shuffling some papers around. “How’s that going, by the way? Her living there with her son and all, I mean.”

I’m not stupid. I can read between his words.

He wants to know what’s up between us.

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