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He chuckles, his throat bobbing as he swallows his bite. “I sure hope so, or else someone was in my temporary home while I was there.”
I roll my eyes, taking a seat in the empty chair across from the plate. “Okay, smartass.” It feels weird, calling him something like that when I grew up with him, but there’s amusement shining in his eyes that has me sending that feeling away. The idea of him being amused takes over and I’m certain I want him to keep feeling that, if only to stop calling me kiddo.
As soon as I take a bite of the food my eyes roll into the back of my head and I moan. “This is amazing, where did you learn to do this?”
He shakes his head, eyes not able to meet mine. “I’ve always known how to cook. What, did you think all those desserts I brought to dinners were from the store?”
In all honesty, I truly thought he did purchase them, but knowing that he made them himself only makes him sexier. A man who can cook is a man I want in my life, which only makes the idea of us eating together that much harder. “Uh, no?” I manage to choke out.
His laugh echoes through the room and I have to clench my thighs together at the sound of it. “That sounded very convincing.”
“Well, it’s not my fault you don’t look like a chef. I assumed you had someone make all your meals.” I take another large bite, clearing my plate, then go back for seconds. If there’s one thing I’m sure anyone will be able to see as soon as I walk into the office tomorrow, is that I ate half a pan of stuffed shells.
That’s what sucks about getting into the fashion industry, everyone looks at you under a microscope. I could gain an inch on my waist and someone would notice, which keeps me from binging on my food. The last thing I need right before my launch is for someone to write a story about me gaining weight.
I shake my head at the plate in front of me, trying to decide if I should eat anymore, and Beau clears his throat from beside me. “Are you done?”
I’d love to say no, my stomach is definitely not full, but instead I nod my head and let him take the plate away from me. When I glance up at him, his eyebrows are scrunched, but he doesn’t say anything as he heads into the kitchen with our plates. “Thank you for dinner,” I say, trying to cut the silence before my mind wanders into dangerous territory.
He nods from across the room. “No problem. I figured it was the least I could do after I missed breakfast.” Then he turns around and gives me a small smile. “Do you think we could take a look at the drawings I’ve come up with now?”
It’s the last thing I want to do with him, but I guess this will do. “Sure, let's go into the living room.” While I lead the way, he walks over to a long tube resting along the wall and pulls out two large rolls of paper.
My eyes widen when he lays them across the table, one for the yoga studio I requested, and the other for fashion work. I’m not exactly sure which part of my fashion I’ll use for that room, I just know that I need it. My fingers brush against the pencil strokes, eyeing each and every detail he has in the drawing, then look over to him.
He’s tapping his foot on the floor, nervous for my reaction and I place my hand on his thigh in reassurance. “You did all this since you got here yesterday?” Don’t get me wrong, I knew he was good, but this? It’s amazing. “Tell me about it.”
He clears his throat and points to each area of the rooms, letting me know where his thought process came from, and it brings a smile to my face. Even after all these years, it’s amazing to know that he was paying such close attention to me. Why would he do that?
I mentally curse at myself. There’s no way that he feels anything toward me, I’m seeing things that aren’t there. When he finally gets done, I wrap my arms around him and smile. “It’s amazing! Seriously, get started as soon as you’re ready.”
He chuckles against me and I realize the warmth flowing through my body from being so close to him and pull away. “Are you sure?” Beau asks, scooting a small distance away himself, only solidifying that the thoughts in my head are just that — in my head.
I nod with a bright smile, looking back at the drawings. “Of course, they’re perfect.”
“Great,” he says, grabbing them before standing up. “I’ll let you get some rest, I’m sure you’re tired.” Then he rolls up the drawings and puts them back inside the tube and then walks over to his bag and heads to the front door. “Goodnight, kiddo. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning.”
I roll my eyes at his comment as soon as the door shuts behind him.
When I get done slipping into comfortable pajamas, there’s a text from my father waiting on my phone and I groan at it. He insisted on hosting a launch party for my upcoming fall line, and I had no choice but to agree to it because I know I haven’t been around much throughout the last few years. I’m dreading the event though, there’s going to be tons of people there acting like they know me.
At least my fashion background comes in handy in times like this. Instead of having to go to a boutique and find a dress someone else made, I made my own for the occasion. It took a lot more of my time than I would’ve liked, but at least I’m happy with it. There shouldn’t be anyone else in my dad’s house that looks better than I do, not with the shimmering emerald gown I have on.
There’s a slit up the left leg, reaching higher than most do, and the sleeveless sweetheart neckline does wonders for my breasts. I’m more than certain Beau will be there tonight, and maybe this will finally be the night where he actually sees me for the grown woman I am and not a child.
I scoff to myself. It’s ridiculous that the thought even crosses my mind. If he hasn’t seen me like that all these years, I’m not betting on this dress changing anything. One could hope though, I guess. You’d think after all these years I’d be used to heels, but they never seem to get any easier for me.
Before I can think better of it, I grab the silver clutch from my bed, then hurry down the stairs and out the front door. The lights are still on inside the guest house, but the limo my father insisted I arrive in is waiting in the driveway for me. I’m sure Beau will be okay with driving himself, and I’m not sure I can see him right now without jumping him anyway.
At least when he walks into the party I’ll have to contain myself in front of my father. The driver quickly exits the vehicle and opens the back door for me, where my father is sitting with a proud smile on his face. He chuckles when I get inside. “If I knew this is what it took to spend some time with my favorite girl, I would’ve done this a long time ago.”
I roll my eyes. “Very funny, Dad.” Then I lean over and press a soft kiss to his cheek. “Thank you for tonight. You really didn’t have to come and pick me up.” Even if I’m dreading it, I won’t rain on his parade. I’ve perfected a fake smile for so long I can do it without even trying now. Which is exactly what I plan to do tonight.
“I’m not about to let my little girl walk into her own party alone. Besides, it means I get to spend some alone time with you.”
“You’re too sweet, Dad.”
Before we pull away, I turn around to find Beau walking out of the house and heading to his car, but with it being dark I can’t make out his suit. I’m sure he looks as good as he always does, if not better. I’ve seen plenty of pictures with him in one, but I’m willing to bet they don’t do him any justice.
