“You could lose everything.” He nodded, stroking his long white beard. “So, why’d you kiss her like that? You must have known someone would snap a picture.”
I nodded, wondering if it was time to lay all my cards on the table. “So, uh, I’d seen Charli a few times before. The first time at a concert of mine a few years back.”
He frowned. “Are you sayin’ you hooked up?”
I shook my head. “No, nothing like that. We didn’t even have a chance to meet, but not because I didn’t try.” I didn’t expect him to understand, or even believe me, but I suspected this would be my only chance to tell him my truth. “I don’t have to tell you that Charli’s special, Chee. Every time I’ve seen her, it has felt like a gut punch. I can’t explain it. I know I have no right to feel the way I do, and I had no business acting on that attraction, but I’m only human, okay? I like this beautiful, amazing woman. And I think she likes me too.”
“So you slept together.”
He wasn’t asking, he was stating it like a fact. Had Aidy told him? Shit. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want him to lose it, but I didn’t want to lie either. “With all due respect,” I said, finally, “that’s none of your business. Your daughter is a grown woman, not a teenager mixed up with an older man who’s trying to take advantage of her. Anything that may or may not have happened between us… we’re two consenting adults, Chee. And I’m not gonna apologize for anything.” I looked him in the eye, expecting an eruption. “I’m sorry if you don’t like it, but that’s the way it is.”
He cracked his knuckles as he stared down at his gnarled hands. “I don’t know what the hell to think of you.” He swiped a hand over his mouth. “I came here wantin’ to bust you up. Never expected you to be…” He shook his head, looking confused and a little pissed. “Like this.”
I didn’t need to ask him to explain what he meant. I understood. We’d faced off like men, and maybe we’d earned a little of each other’s respect. The hard way. “I know you’re concerned about her. If I was in your place, I’d feel exactly the same way.” Now that he’d taken a step back, I could too. “But I can promise you this, she’s here, in my house because I do care about her. Am I trying to protect my own ass?” I shrugged. “Sure, I am. But that doesn’t mean I can’t look out for Charli at the same time.”
“And how do you plan to do that, exactly?”
“I’ve given her a job, fair compensation, a place to stay.” I pointed to one of many windows wrapping around the eating area. “It’s a completely separate house. The only time we’ll see each other is when we’re working. And being here means she won’t be hassled by people looking for a statement.”
“I have to say, having those little weasels hangin’ around my house pissed me off.” He pointed at me. “And I blame you for that.”
I nodded, raising my hands. “As you should. Like I said, I accept full responsibility for that. Are they still there?”
He shook his head. “They’re droppin’ like flies. I guess they’ve gone off to hunt for fresh blood, the sleazy little vultures.”
“I’m glad they’re leaving you and Aidy alone. If you need private security to keep them off your property, I’m happy to send someone over.”
He eyed me before muttering, “Speaking of my wife. She seems to think you’d be perfect for our daughter. Why?”
I cleared my throat, trying to find the right answer to explain away his wife’s crazy without offending either of them. “Uh, I don’t know. I guess she thinks I could take good care of her.” I gestured around me. “You know, financially.”
Chee snorted. “You’ll never meet a girl who cares less about money than that little lady.” He smiled. “When she was a little bit of a thing, she was happiest when I took her camping. She loved roughin’ it. Cece not so much. But Charli was my little tomboy. She loved sports and cars, motorcycles—”
“Charli rides?” Damn it. Charli on the back of my bike was a visual I didn’t need. I was having a hard enough time resisting her and her old man had just made it damn near impossible. No wonder being with her felt so right. She loved all the same things I did.
“Sure.” He chuckled. “Had her on a hog even before she learned to drive stick.”
“She drives stick?” My mouth went dry as I imagined her shifting gears in my ’70 Chevelle SS 454.
“Sure.” He scowled, shaking his head. “Both my girls do.” He chuckled. “In fact, you get a flat tire, need an oil change, plugs changed, Charli’s your girl. When she was growing up, she was out in the garage with me all the time, working on some side project. She knows a hell of a lot about cars and bikes, that little lady.”
My head was spinning. It seemed the more I learned about Charli, the deeper I felt. If I didn’t grab a lifeline soon, it was gonna be too late to save myself.
“What’s wrong?” Chee snapped, looking me up and down. “Looks like you saw a ghost.”
I dipped my head, pressing my thumb and forefinger into my eyes. “Nothing, I just—”
“You’re still here, Daddy?” Charli made her way across the foyer into the kitchen. “I thought you’d be long gone by now.”
“Uh, no.” He gestured to me. “Your boss and I were just gettin’ to know each other.”
She rolled her eyes. “Well, I didn’t hear any screaming, so I guess that’s a good sign.”
I was looking at Charli in a whole new light. Trying to picture her in a cute pair of denim overalls, grease streaking her cheeks, dirt under her fingernails… Damn. I’d never been more grateful for a waist high counter.
She gestured to the platter of food. “As long as you’re not gonna kill each other, shall I plate this up?”
When Chee hesitated, I said, “You’re welcome to join us for breakfast.”
