Color Me Pretty: A Father's Best Friend Romance

“Your business won’t last if another investor drops. You may have the money to survive, but what about your reputation? How long will you make it in this city if people thought you were in too deep, just like your former partner? If you used his departure from this world to sink into his beautiful offspring like a predator?”

My teeth ground so hard I was sure I’d need to get them fixed. “So that’s what you want? To save me?”

“I simply want to help.”

“You want in my company, and I want to know the real reason why. It isn’t to help others, that’s for damn sure. But I’m not in the mood today. Today, I’ve had enough of you.”

He laughed, drawing people’s attention to our table. Their stares didn’t last long once they figured out who he was. They were smart to keep to

themselves, but I was sure they were listening for any details they could get so they could spread rumors even without him asking them to. “Can’t say I’m surprised knowing your short temper. Just remember what I said. We’ll be in touch.”

“You sound sure.”

He stood too, flattening his suit jacket, and shooting me a confident wink that I wanted to smack off his face. “Guess you’ll have to see for yourself. Seems I know more things about your weakest points than you do. I’ll leave this working relationship open for a while until you see sense.”

“Don’t flatter yourself.”

He turned, waving down a waiter who appeared almost instantly. Paying him no attention as he handed over bills too big for what was spent on our lunches, he patted the young boy’s arm. “Don’t accept Mr. West’s money. It’d be an insult to me considering I invited him to lunch.”

Nostrils flaring, I glared. He never paid, everybody knew that. He was making a statement.

“You owe me now,” was the last thing he said before turning to leave.

I wanted to yell.

To punch something.

But what did I do?

I went to the last place I should have, leaving behind the piece of paper on the table so The Dick couldn’t accuse me of its ownership.

I saw the black leather jacket first. It engulfed her small frame, but she wore it proudly. I hadn’t seen it on her since the night of Anthony’s funeral.

“Wow. Look who’s alive,” she commented, holding the jacket around her like a barrier. The wince that came from her was subtle before she said, “Sorry. I had a bad day.”

“Want to talk about it?” Honestly, all I wanted was to go inside, kiss her, make her dinner, and watch whatever the hell she put on TV. I didn’t care if it had to do with aliens, mummies, horrible cooking, or animals. I just wanted to spend time with her and ignore the day, which had clearly been a rough one for both of us.

“Not really,” she admitted quietly, looking around at a few bystanders. Her sigh was light as she brushed her new short hair behind her ear. “I’ve been fighting with myself a little. Just having one of those days.”

Alert coursed through me. “Should I be worried? Do you need—”

“No.” Her lips rubbed together before her palm swept across her cheek like she was wiping away exhaustion. “No, you don’t need to worry. I’m not sure why I’ve been feeling this way, but I have been and I’m working through it. I spoke to Ripley about it earlier.”

“Did she help?”

One shoulder lifted. “As much as she could, I suppose. You know Ripley. She gives me a motivation speech and reminds me not to backpedal after working so hard to get where I am now. She’s right. I don’t plan on failing, but…”

It was easier said than done. “I thought we could have dinner,” I told her. “Maybe watch something together. I’ve been thinking about it all day.”

We stood outside her building facing each other. It looked like she was leaving, but I selfishly wanted her to stay. “I really like what you’ve done to your hair, by the way. You look…”

“Different?”

“Beautiful.” Her new cut framed her narrow jawline and high cheekbones like a masterpiece. The short style was chin-length, and it worked for her.

Her cheeks reddened. “I’m actually on my way out.”

“Where?”