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“Look, I have to go into work for a while,” I say

It wasn’t just an excuse to get away froet so to be here, it was the perfect time to do it

“Do youuntil the kids are picked up?” I ask her “Then you’re free to go”

“Sure” She shrugs, sinking down onto the couch

“Great I owe you one”

I grab my keys and phone and stalk out the door before I can say anything else to e I said to her was either inappropriate or wrong I was supposed to diffuse the situation, not make it worse

I walk into my office and slam the door shut, still annoyed at myself over this whole Anna situation This is ridiculous I walk over to my desk and pull et no work done because all I can think about is theat the ceiling, think about the last teeks and cringe I don't sneak around behind hter Even though she’s not underage, I’ that I’m so much older This is not me I just don’t do this

Fuck I’ve turned into the creepy guy who lives next door Before long, kids will be refusing to walk past h to knock on the door for Halloween I groan and shake my head as I sink into athere, conte in my sorrows Then I knock myself out of it

I need to man up and either commit to this or end it—whatever the fuck ‘it’ is

It’s one or the other Thearound isn’t fair on either of us, and soet to my feet and stomp to my car, determined one way or another to resolve this

And definitely, before I have to have another aard conversation with her fatherChapter Seven

AnnaI don't knohy I’m still here