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She didn’t say anything until he was directly before her. “Hello, Father.”
Father? What. The. Hell? Oh shit.
35
ASPEN
* * *
I didn’t know what to say. I hadn’t seen my father in years. He looked older, a few more gray hairs, but otherwise exactly the same. Same expensive suit. Same haircut. Same whiskey glass in hand.
My heart had been hardened to him years ago but seeing him was a shock. California was his turf, but the state was huge and never imagined I’d run into him. What were the chances?
“I thought you were in Wyoming.”
I cleared my throat. “Montana. I find a little time outdoors makes me reflect on the little things.”
He tipped his head back and laughed. “Ah, you were always so bright using those phrases. Seems like old times.”
“Yes, I learned to use them for when I had nothing to say to someone,” I said, hoping he’d get the hint and leave.
“Hi, I’m Derek Dashwood.”
I’d completely forgotten Luke was beside me. Of course, he’d use his stage name at the party. Father shook Luke’s hand. “Richard Bergstrom. What do you do, Derek?”
“I’m an actor.”
Father studied Luke, as if wondering if he recognized him. “Been in anything I’d have seen?”
Luke offered a noncommittal shrug. “Just a little TV. I’m actually between jobs at the moment.”
His eyebrows went up. “Ah, an out of work actor. Well, Aspen does have wealthy parents so I can see why you would be with her.”
I wasn’t sure if he was poking at Luke looking for a sugar momma or me because I couldn’t get a man like Luke for any other reason than greed on his part.
“Oh?” Luke asked. “Not because she’s smart and beautiful?”
“Connections, obviously.”
“Right. Actually, Dick, I’m not with Aspen for them, although you seem like a very connected man.”
I bit my lip at the nickname. Richard was often shortened to Dick, or at least it used to be, and Luke used it just right.
Father’s chest puffed as he took a sip of his drink, missing the barb.
“Actually, I’m here with Aspen because the condom broke, and she’s stuck with me until we know if there’s going to be a little Dashwood running around.”
I choked on a sip of wine. Luke’s hand rubbed up and down my back until I stopped.
“That wouldn’t be the first time, would it, Aspen?” Father asked.
Yeah, my father was a total dick.
36
LUKE
* * *
