We were pulling up to Phoenix Tech andnotthe Chesapeake.
“What is going on?” I leaned forward, a hand to the back of Fitz’s seat in front.
“We’re meeting Kash here instead.”
Matt was frowning, too, so I wasn’t the only one in Lostville, USA.
We got out, following Fitz. Matt’s guards fell in step right behind us. The front door of Phoenix Tech was opened. More guards were there, and we walked past all of them, all the way to the elevator and up to the top floor, and when we stepped outside, I was having a moment.
I knew where we were going, and I’d never been to my father’s office in this building.
I would’ve fangirled so hard going in there before this summer, but thenthe summerhappened. But right then and there, I wasn’t the daughter of Peter Francis walking inside. Okay. Maybe there was still some fangirling happening in me. I was the little nine-year-old that got her firstComputer Weeklywith Peter Francis on the cover as a birthday gift.
I think my knees were knocking together.
Matt frowned at me. “What are you doing?”
“Noth—” Total nerd squeak there. I coughed, my tone lower and calmer. “Nothing. I’m good.”
My stomach was still doing loop-de-loops, but okay. We were here, and I saw my father, and the moment was done.
“Hey.” Matt went inside, dropped to a chair, and threw his leg over the armrest. “Why are we here?”
Peter’s gaze was lingering on me before he pulled away, looking at his son. “Because—”
“Because there’s been some new developments everyone needs to know about.”
Kash walked in with those words, his eyes falling on me and holding there. I was pinned in place, and I felt a rush of heat, of pain, of bitterness, but also of flutters and excitement. A whole rush of emotions all blasted me at once, and I had to pull my gaze away just to try and get ahold of myself.
I was all flustered.
What the hell?
Matt stood, sounding a whole lot more reserved. “Like what?”
I glanced up.
Matt had moved so he was half blocking me. His hands were in his pockets. His shoulders were bunched forward. He looked casual, laid-back, but I knew better. Whatever exchange had just happened between Kash and me, Matt saw it, and he was protecting me.
My stomach was cramping up.
“Why are you shielding Bailey from me?”
Oh. Crap.
A sudden silence fell over the room.
I swallowed over a lump, shoving that down.
Peter coughed.
Matt didn’t respond, not right away. He shuffled to the side, still blocking me. “What are you talking about?”
I almost snorted.
“You know what I’m talking about.” Kash’s voice went low.
Goose bumps rose over my arm, along with a shiver going down my spine. But I was hot, and feeling achy, and also wanting Kash at the same time.