Page 32 of That First Night

“You are sort of a hardass,” Marc laughs.

I don’t get a chance to respond because a text from Peyton comes through on my phone.

Is James allowed to have donuts for dinner?

Absolutely not.

That’s what I told him. Apparently, it’s National Donut Day?

This kid, I swear. He knows I am not the biggest fan of sugary snacks so anytime he is with his Aunt or Uncles, he tries to trick them into getting donuts. He tells them ‘Every day is National Donut Day,’ and because they love to spoil him, they give him the damn donuts.

No, tell him that’s June 2nd.

The fact that you know that…

What can I say, I love me some donuts, too.

You don’t look like you love donuts…

I’m smiling down at my phone because...Is she… flirting with me?

That’s an interesting observation, Ms. Peyton.

What can I say, Mr. Ford?

I am very observant.

Fuck, this woman is making it so damn hard to not cross the line with her. She’s totally flirting and telling me that she’s checked me out before. ReadingMr. Fordthrough her text, just does something to me that I can’t even explain. I can picture her wearing next to nothing, a pair of hot heels and her walking over to me, saying my name just like that in her most seductive voice.

“Everything okay?” Marc says, cutting off my thoughts.

“Yeah.” I nod. “James is pulling his National Donut Day shit with Peyton.”

“That kid gets me every single time, Tommy.” Oliver tips his head back into a full-blown laughing fit.

“He is very persuasive, Tommy.” Marc joins in on the laughter. “You’re going to be in big trouble when he becomes a teenager. Kid is too smart for his own good.”

“That he is.” I nod.

* * *

I’m leaving the office way later than planned and I hope that Peyton isn’t furious with me. I plan to fully compensate her for her time today.

Walking into the penthouse, the lights are off and the only thing that lights up the room is the TV playing a cartoon. My eyes move to the couch to see something that makes my heartbeat faster than it has in a long time.

Peyton is laying on her back at the corner of the couch and James is snuggled up next to her. His little head is resting in the crook of her arm, and she has her arm placed around his shoulders. The two of them are sleeping soundly.

Seeing James with her just hits me right in the chest. I have never seen him with a female like this before. His mom left when he was a baby and Emiline is just not the snuggly type. If she ever took thatFive Love Languagestest, she would not rank high on physical touch. He’s never had anyone in his life that would snuggle with him.

Heat rises in my chest, and I can’t control the pounding in my rib cage.

Moving across the room, I stand over them to make a mental memory of this moment. As I am about to scoop James into my arms to take him to bed, Peyton stirs and tightens a protective grip around his shoulder.

“It’s just me, Peyton,” I whisper.

Her eyes fling open, and she looks startled to see me.

“I-I’m sorry,” she whispers. “We must have fallen asleep.”