She chuckles. “He’s like that with everyone, not just you.”
I want to ask her about his status and whether he’s single, but it doesn’t feel appropriate. Why do I even need to know, other than aching curiosity? He’s gorgeous, with his tattoos and gruffness. There’s something raw and sexy about him that makes my knees weak.
That could be why I tripped over my own two feet. I was glancing over my shoulder. I thought I saw him in the hallway, but I was mistaken. It was someone else in blue jeans and a dark-gray T-shirt.
The man is absolutely sinful.
I shouldn’t be having these thoughts about him.
He’s arrogant.
Thickheaded.
A pain in the ass.
Even if he did carry me down the hallway and put me ever so gently down into the booth, just remembering it makes my cheeks warm, and my stomach fills with butterflies.
“Are you feeling all right, Cali? Your face is all red and flushed.”
I grab my water glass, hoping to cool myself off. “I’m fine. It’s just been a while since I’ve eaten anything.” Or gotten laid. But I leave the last thought off.
THREE
Logan
I’m up early,before the sun.
“Dad.” Julianna slips into my office in her pajamas. She’s wearing oversized flannel pants and a dark-red top to go with the ensemble. Her eyes are heavy, and she’s latched on to a mug of coffee.
I could use my caffeine fix this morning.
I glance up from my paperwork, going over the numbers for the third time. I have an accountant who helps and double-checks everything, but I prefer to keep in control of the numbers because I need to know how much is coming in and going out regularly.
“Yes?” I ask as she pulls me away from my work.
“Is it okay if I invite a friend from school over today?”
A huge smile grazes my face. “I would be delighted to meet one of your friends.” Since moving here over the summer, Julianna hasn’t made a lot of friends, or if she has, she hasn’t seen them outside of class. But it’s winter break, so I’m hoping she’ll do more than just work for the resort for the next two weeks.
“Izzie’s cool, and she says she can snowboard.”
“One of her parents will need to sign a liability waiver,” I say.
“I know, Dad. You don’t have to worry. Izzie is really good on the slopes.”
“Even so, she still needs a parent or guardian’s permission and the form filled out.”
Julianna rolls her eyes and groans. “Fine. I’ll make sure she has it done.”
“And I’d like to meet her parents.”
“Oh my gosh! Why do you have to be so cringe?”
“Cringe?” I ask, shaking my head. I put my pen down and rest my hands on my desk. When did my teenage daughter become such a handful?
“Like, you know, embarrassing?”
I stand and step around the desk. “All parents are cringe when you’re fifteen.” I wrap my arms around my daughter in a hug, and she groans like it’s torture.