“That was rude.”
He shrugs. “It’s a relief to have her gone.”
“She was flirting?”
“She only had the chance because someone was late for work.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m allowed to be late every once in a while.”
“You’re never late, Sofia.” Dad peers into my eyes. “Ryan said he had to give you a lift home last night.”
Gasping in surprise, I turn and busy myself with wiping down the countertops before I start work. “Ryan had no right blabbing.”
“He said you were hurt.”
“I’m fine. Just tired.” Resting against the spotless steel countertop, I meet my father’s gaze. “I’d slipped in the rain and hurt my ankle, which is fine today.” That’s only a small lie because although it does feel more comfortable, it still throbs lightly.
“Hmm,” he mumbles. “I guess my real question should be why were you running around outside of Shane Fletcher’s house?” He raises a brow.
Sighing heavily, I move back into his arms. “Dad, please stop worrying, and tell Mom the same. I’m old enough to look after myself.”
“Until you need Ryan to come get you.”
“Ugh!” I move away and pace in front of him before having second thoughts and taking a load off by wiggling onto a stool at the high break nook for staff. “You’re really here about that?”
“I’d already planned on calling in to see you, before Ryan opened his mouth.” Dad smirks. “He only told us about you to get the focus off of him.”
“What’s he up to
?”
“Nothing worth talking about.”
“You mean sampling the customers?” My brother has always been a favorite of the female population and being Manager of Kenza, the nightclub owned by our parents, sure keeps that going.
Dad won’t answer although a frown does appear across his brows. “You’ll talk to me or your mom if you need to, right? I want a promise Sofia.”
Reaching up, I kiss Dad on each cheek and smile. “I promise.”
“I expect you to keep that one.” With one last kiss to my forehead, he leaves through the front of the shop.
I roll my eyes when I hear Marissa’s loud sigh. She’s had a crush on my father since she’d first met him and it makes my stomach ache. I mean he’s my dad, no way is he attractive to women. It’s weird even though I know I’m being ridiculous.
“That man is delicious.”
I wince. “Can we not talk about my dad, please?” Tugging the store diary forward, I open it on today’s date and sigh when I see I only have a light day. It’s what I need after last night.
“Can you make some meringues with cream and fresh raspberries? We’ll sell them out front, but I’ve been craving one for a week and no one makes them like you do.”
Laughing, I reply, “You pay me for working here, so your wish is my command.”
“Oh,” Marissa rubs her hands together, “I could do a lot with that.”
Groaning, the doorbell rings as I swipe at her with a dishtowel. “You have a customer.”
“Hmm,” Marissa mumbles, a smile on her lips as she greets the customer.
The moment she’s out of sight my smile slips and the brief time I had with Shane creeps into my thoughts. He’d made me feel like the only woman in his world, and I’d believed that. How wrong was I? I hadn’t wanted to let him use me, but I had anyway. I let him sweet talk his way into my panties. I hate myself for that.