Page 58 of My Ex’s Dad

As much as I might wish that’s true, and that’s probably just the hormones talking, it’s not reality. He’s twice my age. He’s Roman’s father! And he’s an influential, wealthy man who won’t settle for someone like me.

Three dots appear to indicate she’s replying, but Anton gets in, and I slide my phone back into my pocket.

“Ready?” he asks once he’s next to me, his arm draped comfortably over my shoulders like it’s a pose we’ve practiced a hundred times until it felt natural.

“No.” There’s no point in lying about it.

“Why not?”

I blow out a big breath. “I’m wearing something worth more than I’d make in a year. I’m going to look like an amateur without my hair professionally styled. And I’m dreading how awkwardly I’ll stand out as someone you’d never be expected to bring to a thing like this.”

He smiles before leaning in to kiss me. It’s a tender one, but possessive nonetheless.

“You’ll be with me, and that’s all that matters.”

Somehow, his words seep into my soul and it clicks. He’s not bluffing. Just by having me with him, he gives me some of his confidence.

Yet it’s not that simple. “It’s not just that this is so far out of my comfort zone. It’s that I’m going to something with you.” I clear my throat.

“We’ve established that.”

“Your family will be there.” I bite my lip.

He sighs, tugging my lip free and watching my mouth like he wants to kiss me again. “That’s true.”

“Roman will be there.”

He nods, not looking away from my mouth.

“Roman once thought he would be bringing me to this gala.”

He smiles, glancing up at my eyes. “He might have said that, but he wouldn’t have.”

“I agree. He never wanted to bring me to anything. No family events. Like I was some dirty little accessory to be tucked away out of sight.”

“His loss.” He strokes my shoulder with his thumb. “My gain.”

I can’t hide a slow smile. “I also agree. But it is strange that he recently sought me out and tried to insinuate that he’d already put my name down as his plus-one to this. And that he still expected me to go with him despite how I broke up with him.”

He grunts a wry laugh.

“He seems to think I’m some backup he can pull out whenever he wants. But then, he’s never handled not getting what he wants.”

“He’ll learn his lesson tonight.” He cups my face and kisses me. “Because you’re not a backup. You’re too good to be a second choice.”

My heart swells at his praise. It’s not just lust that he shows me, it’s something deeper. A deep appreciation I’ve never gotten from anyone before. Certainly not from Roman.

There’s no time left to fret and fuss about showing up, because in a matter of minutes, we’re there. The car pulls up, and Anton guides me out and down the carpeted path to the entrance. Flashes blink everywhere as the press snaps pictures, but I ignore all of it and focus on nothing but the feel of Anton’s hand on mine. Then, later, once we’re inside amid the whirlwind of commotion, the brush of his arm against mine.

I try not to look bewildered, but he senses it anyway.

“You are here with me, Liliana,” he says, eyes on me. “And that’s all that matters.”

I smile and nod, deciding to trust him.

It’s a trust I’ll need to rely on, because as we turn and push deeper into the crowd, Roman’s furious face is hard to miss. He’s coming right for us, scowling with rage as he jerks his gaze from his father holding my hand to my face.

“What kind of a fucking joke is this?” he demands. “Liliana? What the fuck is going on?”