Chapter 15

“Who, me?” Preston croaked. Clearing his throat, he tried to shake his head and nod at the same time. His whole face seemed to ignite in a slow blaze of embarrassment that started at the base of his neck and flushed to the root of his hair. “No, yeah, sorry.”

He ducked back behind the assistant, as if she might be able to hide him. God, had he really thought the man was average? Because every nerve of Preston’s body was suddenly on fire. He’d never met a hotter guy in his entire life 5

Because the rest of Abby’s classmates had had their pictures taken earlier in the morning, they jumped down after the group shot and hurried offstage, eager to take their place in the lunch line forming along one wall of the cafeteria. Abby stayed behind, though, hurrying across the stage to take Preston’s hand in both of hers. “Don’t leave yet, Daddy,” she told him, leaning back so she could balance on her heels and tug on his fingers, trusting him to hold her. “Stay and eat lunch with me!”