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“I had to beat back other families in the city from grabbing her resume first.”
“Fine,” she grumbles.
I catch Imena’s eyes and motion her over. She smiles brilliantly and stops in front of me, head tilted and her eyelashes fluttering.
“You’ve got a very impressive background, Miss Vasquez.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bolton.” Her eyes slide to my mouth and back. “I love what I do.”
I haul Regan up into my arms and ask, “Do you want to play with Miss Vasquez some more, Regan?”
My daughter nods shyly.
“Regan’s a really sweet kid,” Imena says, her eyes locked on mine. She steps a little closer. “And she looks like you.”
“Ha!” Island lets out a sarcastic bark of laughter.
I ignore her. “How is your mother doing these days?”
“She’s getting better.” Her hand falls on my bicep. “Thank you so much for asking, Mr. Bolton.”
Island is glaring a hole into Imena’s hand.
“We’ll be in touch,” I say, trying hard not to smile at Island’s reaction.
“I look forward to hearing from you,” Imena says, her voice low and inviting. She waves goodbye to Regan, nods at Island, picks up her purse and walks away with her hips swinging back and forth.
I don’t watch her retreat because I can feel the steam rising from Island’s body and I want to keep my head on my shoulders.
“She’s not the one,” Island says brusquely.
“Why not?”
“I look forward to hearing from you.” She mocks. “She was totally flirting with you.”
“She was being polite.”
“Did she have to touch your arm then? I don’t go around touching people I don’t know!”
Regan blinks at Island. “Yes you do. You touch people’s hair.”
“That’s different, sweetie,” Island says patiently.
“Regan, go pick up your shovel and bucket from the sandbox.” I put my daughter down and then turn to Island. “I thought she was very professional.”
“When someone’s being friendly-professional, they do this—” Island shakes my hand. “They don’t dothis…” She trails her finger down my arm and sends a rush of electricity straight to my stomach.
“See the difference?” Island frowns.
Honestly, all I can see right now is her hands on me, scrubbing down my abs as she straddles my waist.
I blink fast, feeling the heat spreading on my neck.
Island’s phone buzzes and her tight expression changes swiftly. A smile I’ve never seen aimed my way spreads on her face and she takes a few steps.
Immediately on the alert, I listen in on her phone call.
“Yeah. Mm-hm.” Island tucks a lock of silver hair behind her ear. “Yes, I’ll be there. I can’t wait.”