She pivoted the conversation without my realizing it. God, she is refreshing. I don’t want her to focus on my slip-up, so I indulge her. “Reasonably. With Xander, we used to be very close, until we weren’t. Lottie will forever be my little sister. She is a pain in the ass, but I will always have her back.”
“What about your parents?”
“I’m closer to my mother.” I leave Sterling out of this conversation. “What about you? Are you close to your father?”
She flinches, but the moment gets interrupted when our meal arrives.
We eat in silence. Perhaps this is as far as I will get in the conversation.
“He never cared much for a daughter.” Roxy surprises me.
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said. A son is an asset. A daughter is a burden. Mom died, and he never had time for me or my sister. His attention has always been on business.”
Sadness and bitterness hum in her voice, and I’m blindsided by the need to punch her father.
I drop my need to find out more, because this beautiful, strong creature doesn’t need another man to disappoint her.
And I won’t.
At least not tonight.
Chapter 15
Roxy
“He doesn’t know what he is missing. You’re more of an asset than many men I know.”
Liam’s words land right in my chest, spreading warmth I don’t want to feel. All evening, he’s been throwing me off my game.
With his invitation to celebrate.
With his conviction about my value.
With his praise.
Oh, his praise. I thought I had built up some immunity against this stupid attraction, and he undid it all with a few words. My underwear is ruined.
Though as much as I don’t want to notice, his reaction to me shedding the jacket was satisfying. In another time, another world, the two of us could…Don’t go there, Roxy.
I swallow. It’s not that I wish my father saw me as an asset. I don’t want his approval anymore.
But yet again, Liam fucking Stone is on my side, and I don’t know what to do with that.
“You said I’m shit at celebrating. This evening got too serious too quickly.” I pick up my glass of wine and raise it. “No more talking about families.”
He studies me, his gaze penetrating as his jaw works. Like he’s deciding something, or plotting something. I’m about to lower my glass when he finally raises his.
“No more family talk.” He takes a sip.
I wet my lips. This is one of my favorite wines, but today it tastes weird. Maybe it’s not a good year. A good thing, probably, because I need to be sharp around this man.
It’s getting harder and harder to keep my distance. I’ve been horny since my night with Romeo, and having this man in my life day in and day out is challenging for my sanity. And my body.
“Let’s celebrate that I deserve to be a partner because I’m Roxy fucking Moretti.” I smile at him and lick my lips before I lower the glass.
“I’ll drink to that anytime.” He takes another sip. “But you’re not drinking and not eating.” He points to my plate.
