her—his gaze touching, lingering, burning. Tingles flared through her body, from her aching nipples to the needy tug between her legs.
God, why did she still want this man so badly? Why couldn’t she get over him?
They hadn’t spoken a single word, except those necessary to accomplish work, since that horrible afternoon Cash had blurted the fact he’d moved into her place. Tessa knew what Zy must be thinking. More than once she’d nearly divulged that she wasn’t sleeping with her ex. But she always stopped because it didn’t matter. He had probably found someone to rub bodies with—maybe Madison again—and who could blame him? Even without the clutter of others in their lives, he was contractually beyond her reach.
“Earth to Garrett. What are you doing?” Hunter asked. “Bring it in. Next communication is incoming.”
“Yeah,” he told the others as he sent her one last glance before he turned away.
The bosses all directed their watchful stares on her. She could feel their warning. Don’t step over the line.
Tessa sent them all a tight, professional smile before she bustled away to order a dozen egg, bacon, and potato burritos from the Mexican food place down the street everyone loved.
The flurry of activity continued all morning, and a few hours later, she was awaiting a call about the delivery of the subs she’d ordered for lunch when her desk phone rang.
“EM Security Management, this is Tessa. How may I direct your call?”
“Tessa, this is your…stepmother, Kathleen.”
She’d never heard the woman’s voice, but a glance at the display told her the woman was calling from her dad’s number.
Something was wrong.
“What’s happened?”
“Your father had a heart attack this morning. About an hour ago. They’re stabilizing him now. He’d want you to know.”
“How serious is it?”
“I don’t know yet.”
Tessa wanted to ask a million questions at the same time she wanted to scream. If this woman hadn’t been trying to cut communication between her and her dad since they’d gotten married, she might have known from talking to him that his health had been in decline. He might even have told her he didn’t feel well, or she might have picked up on the signs. Something.
But the blame game didn’t do either of them any good right now.
“Which hospital?”
“The one on the north side of Knoxville. I forget the name. I’m all turned upside down. He seemed all right yesterday…”
Thankfully, Tessa knew the facility she meant. “I’m coming there.”
“He may not be able to see anyone,” Kathleen warned.
That might be true, but this woman wasn’t coming between them anymore. Besides, how awful would she feel if the worst happened to her father and she hadn’t even made the effort to see him? “And maybe he will. I’ll call this number back as soon as I make my arrangements.”
“A-all right.”
Tessa ended the call. She could tell from the reluctance in Kathleen’s voice that the woman needed a shoulder and an ear. Whatever her faults, she seemingly cared about Daddy. But if he survived this, there would be some changes.
Right now, she had to tell the bosses she was leaving and hope they didn’t fire her. And it terrified her to leave Cash alone in her house for days; God knew what a mess he’d make of it. But all those worries were secondary. Dad came first.
Quickly, she snatched up her purse and shut down her computer, then jogged down the hall, heart racing, worry burning her veins.
When she appeared in the doorway, Logan looked up. “If the sandwiches have come, can you just bring them here? We need to break this info down and we don’t have a moment to spare.”
Tessa closed her eyes. Of all the lousy timing…
“She’s not here about sandwiches,” Zy cut in as she heard him coming toward her. “What’s wrong?”
She opened her eyes. He knew. One look at her face, and he could tell something wasn’t right.
“I-it’s my dad. He’s had a heart attack.”
“In Tennessee?” Zy prompted. “What do you know so far?”
“Nothing.” And it was killing her.
He took her hand. “Is there even a hospital in Rocky Top?”
She shook her head. “But it’s not too far.” She looked around him at Hunter, Logan, and Joaquin at the front of the conference room. “I need to go.”
Hunter nodded. “Family first. Let us know how y’all are doing.”
“I will. I feel so terrible for bailing—”
“Don’t. Take care of your dad.”
Her eyes prickled with tears. “I will. I hope you’re able to get One-Mile out alive.”
Then she turned away to pick up Hallie, head