Page 101

I throw on my clothes and then walk over to him, craning my neck up to look at him. “You think I’m pretty?”

His eyes twinkle with amusement before growing serious. “Tate Prince, I think you’re pretty, handsome, hot, sexy as fuck. All of it.”

I preen at his words, grinning stupidly at him. “Is that all? Tell me more.”

He rests his forehead on mine and sweetly strokes my cheek. “I think you’re way more. In fact, you’re everything.”

I’m everything.

A month ago, a statement like that from my boyfriend might terrify me considering my past with Sean. But with Jude? I’m safe, cared for, protected.

“You’re everything too, big guy.”

My cheeks blaze with heat as me and Jude walk into the living room where Nathan waits. Jude squeezes my hand, encouraging me not to freak out, but it’s too late. This is super awkward.

“Hello,” Nathan says, an empty dessert plate sitting on the arm of his chair. “What took you two so long to come downstairs?”

I choke on my words and Jude just laughs. Nathan jolts at the sound, clearly surprised, but quickly recovers to grin at his son.

“What do you want, Dad?” Jude asks, ignoring his father’s ribbing. “I already told you we’d be at family dinner tonight.”

Nathan nods. “Good. Jamie made taco soup and it’ll feed an army.”

Jude tugs me over to the sofa, sits down, and then pulls me into his lap. I groan at him and he chuckles, letting me slide off and onto my own cushion.

“What’s up?” I ask, voice shaky with embarrassment. “Did you want to have a session?”

That’s right, Tate. You’re still their family therapist. Behave.

“Actually,” Nathan says, eyebrows furling. “That’s exactly what I wanted to discuss with you.”

The room goes silent aside from the ticking of the clock on the wall. Unease trickles through me, making me fidget nervously.

“Oh, yeah? Everything okay?” I croak out.

Jude’s arm around me tightens and he pulls me closer. I force myself to breathe through whatever this is. This family likes me and they know about my past—about everything. I’m not being fired.

I’m not.

This isn’t like all the times before.

I know my worth and I help people. I’m damn good at it too.

Nathan pulls a check from his pocket and then leans forward to hand it to me. I take it from him, glance at the amount, and then nearly stop breathing.

Okay, so maybe notthatgood at helping people.

Damn.

“Nathan,” I rasp out. “This is too much. I haven’t even been working here that long.”

“Your bonus is included,” he says, eyes darting to Jude. “As agreed upon.”

I shake my head. “Actually, I can’t accept that bonus. I’ve fallen for your son and it wouldn’t be right or ethical. I’m sorry, but I can’t take that money.”

Nathan’s smile is wolfish and slightly terrifying. “You’re a good man, Tate. I had a feeling you’d say that.”

Okaaaaay.