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She huffed. “Adults always say that. But really, it’s simple. I like Pippa, and she likes to spend time with me, so we should do it. You care about her, and you should be with her.”
“What?” He straightened, holding his breath. What had Pippa told her?
Aspen rolled her eyes. “You loooove Pippa . . . Oh my God, you didn’t think I knew? You two are so obvious, Dad. Why do you think I set you up with her? I knew she would be perfect for you. Then you had to go and screw it all up.”
Confusion swirled in his mind. “You set us up?”
She tapped the floor impatiently with her foot and gave another exaggerated sigh. “Remember I wanted to go to the beach, paddleboarding that day? Or why I begged you to let her come dress shopping with us?”
“You want me to date Pippa?”
“And here I thought SEALs were supposed to be some of the smartest people in the military,” she deadpanned.
David grabbed his things and stuffed them into a backpack, his eyes glued to his bag. “I’m just gonna, uh, go.” He slid from the booth and crossed the room to the counter.
Mason shook his head and focused on Aspen again, reeling. “You are my priority. You always come first in my life.”
“I know that, Dad. But I won’t be here living with you forever. I’m out when I’m eighteen; that’s only five years from now. I don’t want you to be lonely when I go. And I knew you’d want someone who could love me as much as you. Pippa literally saved my life from that robber,” she reminded him.
He stared at his daughter, a calm acceptance settling into his chest. “You are diabolical.”
She smiled and dropped her arms to her sides. “What can I say? I was raised by the best.”
He grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her into a hug before he kissed the top of her head.
She squealed. “Ewww, Dad, you’re all wet.”
“I love you, kiddo.”
“I’d love you more if you let me go and go fix whatever you fucked up with Pippa.”
He held her away from him, his eyes narrowing. “Language, young lady.”
“Too far?” She shrugged innocently.
“Yep. Don’t go growing up on me too fast.”
“You gonna apologize to Pippa?” she asked.
He turned his attention to the door, as if she would magically materialize. But instead of Pippa, Rachel and her mother walked in. Mason stiffened, stepping in front of his daughter.
Sandra locked eyes with him, her cheeks growing rosy before she bent down to whisper something in her daughter’s ear. Rachel turned to him, her eyes dropping to Aspen, who hovered behind him.
Rachel walked towards them, head lowered, her mother by her side. They stopped a few feet in front of Mason. Sandra gave Rachel a little push forward.
Rachel fidgeted with her hands nervously as she spoke. “I wanted to apologize to you, Aspen, and to you, Mr. Wright.” The young girl looked up at them, her eyes watery and red. “I’m sorry for going along with the plan to get you alone. I swear they said they only wanted to talk . . . not that that’s an excuse for how I’ve treated you. I just wanted you to know how sorry I am, Aspen. And . . . and I miss hanging out.”
Aspen moved to Mason’s side. “Thanks for the apology.”
It was more than the other parents and kids had done. The bullies’ parents had defended their kid’s abhorrent actions—especially Lester Marby. He’d defended his daughter in front of the principal and their children and Mason had held his tongue—although he’d let the man know just what he was capable of when they were alone in the parking lot afterwards.
“Do you think we could be friends again?” Rachel asked.
Aspen tipped her head to the side. “I don’t know.”
Rachel nodded, her shoulders sinking.
Sandra wrapped her arm around her daughter. “I hope you both have a lovely dinner.”
