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I rub the stubble on my chin. “A real coincidence.”
It’s not in the slightest, and the glare Harper pins on me agrees.
She slides her gaze back to Syd. “Whose idea was it to eat dinner at The Tavern?”
“Yours.”
She rolls her lips together, stifling a laugh. “Did you tell your dad I was coming here?”
“Uh-huh.”
“And now you’re here too.” There’s no question in her tone.
“Yep.”
“Like I said, real convenient.” I clap and slouch lower in my seat, a sure sign I’m settling in for a long meal.
The dude beside me shifts, which is a shame. I’d almost forgotten he exists. As if requesting acknowledgment of his presence, he clears his throat. He taps the table and lifts his eyebrows when that doesn’t gain the desired response. Fucking douche can introduce himself if he cares that much.
Harper jolts at the reminder that he’s in attendance. Unfortunately. Her laugh is tight and awkward. “Oh, whoops. This is Daniel. My… friend.”
“Her boyfriend,” Syd corrects.
Daniel sits straighter at my daughter’s generous—and inaccurate—assumption. “And who might you be?”
“Sydney Grace Evans. I’m Miss Harper’s most favorite student.” Her smile is pure sugar and sprinkles.
“It’s very nice to meet one of Harper’s dancers.” He extends an open palm to me. “And you are…?”
“Her father.” I squeeze harder than necessary, but Dad forgot to teach me proper etiquette.
Daniel yelps and yanks his hand from my crushing grip. “Jesus, man. Be careful with the money maker.”
I give him a blank stare. “Huh?”
“Daniel is a dentist,” Harper explains.
“A dentist,” I echo. My tone holds disdain rather than respect. He’ll have to earn that from me without hiding behind a fancy degree.
“Dr. Daniel Pumper.” He whips out a business card from his suit jacket. “I’ll give you a free cleaning.”
“Look at my teeth!” Syd opens wide and sticks out her tongue, hiding her pearly whites from view.
“Very sparkly. You must brush twice a day.”
“Yep!” She beams at him like the extremely friendly kid she is.
“And you have a great smile.”
“Thanks,” she chirps. Then Syd turns to Harper and repeats the process.
That’s when Daniel’s full name smacks me like a bad joke.
“Wait a second. You’re Dr. Pumper?” I chuckle, there’s no stopping it. “That’s incredible.”
He brightens. “You’ve heard of me?”
Amusement shakes my entire frame. “Yeah, there are a few risqué videos on the internet. I always pass them by, but I’m sure they’re a hit and very tasteful. Do you do your own scenes?”
