Page 323 of Small Town Firsts
“Ah.” He frowned a little, but Poppy came racing back before he could say anything else.
She held up my wraparound sandals. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.”
Grant’s eyes went hooded and he swallowed. “You work for a lawyer, you say?”
“I’m a temp.”
“Explains a little. You don’t look like any paralegal I ever knew.”
“Lowly admin, I’m afraid.”
“Never lowly.” His dimple flashed again. “My admin would de-ball me if I said such things.”
I laughed. “You sound like my friend Luna.”
“Sounds like I’d like Luna. We should all go for coffee.” He frowned. “Wait, that didn’t come out right.” He grabbed the back of his neck. “I mean, we should go out for coffee but if you’re more comfortable in a crowd—man, I’m out of practice.”
I laughed. “That’s sweet.” My pocket vibrated and I sighed. “I gotta get back.”
“Right. Sure.” He gave me a rueful smile. “Thanks, fair Ryan.”
Poppy slid her hand into her dad’s. “Thanks, Ryan. I liked squishing my feet with you.”
“And I liked squishing my feet in the grass with you too.” I waved and padded to the edge of the grass then put my heels back on.
I checked my phone, and sure enough, PMS was looking for me. Considering I hadn’t taken a real lunch today, he could hold his very nice ass. And I ignored the immediate flutter at seeing his name.
Why, oh why, couldn’t that have happened with the hot single dad with the accent?
When I drew that Page of Swords that morning, I had no idea I’d literally have a child flying into my life. The Universe had a damn sense of humor. Sighing, I crossed to Preston’s building. As I got into the elevator, my phone buzzed again. I checked the readout and typed back that I was on my way.
By the time the doors opened, half the lights in the office were shut off.
“PMS?”
“You do realize that using my unfortunate nickname isn’t professional.”
I rolled my eyes. “Do you see anyone here?”
“You were not here, so a client could have been in my office.”
“Don’t get your boxers in a twist. You said you had an appointment.” He was standing by my desk, a folder in hand. “Do you have anything you need me to do while you’re out?”
“No, you’ve done enough today. Try to be on time tomorrow. I have an important deposition at ten.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You mean you have one at eleven and are telling me an hour earlier?” I knew since I kept his schedule for him.
“It was just moved ahead. If you weren’t out galavanting, you’d have gotten the email notification.”
“Look, I skipped lunch thanks to prepping for your last client. Give me a break.”
He crossed his arms, his file tucked against his chest. “Is there a problem? You seem a little surlier than usual.”
“And how would you know that?” I was trying to rein it in, but he was right.
“We usually enjoy a sort of banter.”
