He shut the passenger door and made his way around the front of the car. As he settled in the driver’s seat, he said, “Bexley, let’s have a good night. My life is a mess, and right now, reuniting with you and meeting my daughter are all that I have.”
“Don’t say that,” I said as he started the engine and shifted into gear.
“Why?”
“What about your kids? Please don’t say what you just said, because your kids matter.” When he side-eyed me, I explained. “Your other kids. The ones you’ve raised so far. You know what I mean.”
“Mara and Little A are always a bright spot for me. Except for having to share them with Cass.”
“I don’t want them to hear you say that we’re making you happy. They should hear that they’re making you happy. They’ll resent Piper, and I don’t need her to have that. She’s dealing with enough.”
“Stop it, Bex. Seriously. No one is going to resent anyone. I love my other kids and they love me. They will love Piper and Tyler . . . and you. And they’ll still see their mom because they need to do that too.”
“And Tyler and Piper will see Seth. That is, if this all works, and we somehow figure it all out,” I whispered as we sped down the road.
“You know that’s not an option, this not working out. You know me.”
“I used to,” I said, staring out the windshield.
“Come on, don’t do that.” He didn’t look at me, though. Flicking on his blinker, he exited the freeway and made a left at the intersection.
“It’s the truth. We knew each other once, and then you abandoned me.”
A moment later, Aston pulled into the parking lot for an exclusive steak place. I’d never been there, but I knew better than to argue in this moment.
We stopped when a valet attendant gestured us to, and Aston was out of the car in an instant, not allowing the stranger to open the door for me.
“I didn’t abandon you.” Aston had his hand on my lower back as he spoke into my ear, leading me into the restaurant. “Yeah, I made the wrong choice, but I thought I had time on my side. I’m here now. It’s a little too late, but I have to live with that.”
There was no time for me to reply because we were being ushered to a corner booth, the hostess all smiles for Aston and sneering for me.
“Janie will be right over to take your drink order, Mr. Prescott.”
We were left alone to slide into the booth next to each other, thigh to thigh, heat radiating between us and menus spread in front of us. But it was impossible for me not to stare around and take this place in.
“Come here a lot?” I asked, not turning to face Aston.
“I do. Usually for work. Here or the club. My dad still lives over there, on the golf course.”
“Oh. Good for him,” I said, unable to hide my sarcasm.
“He’s not going to bother you. I made sure of it. I swear, Bex.”
“Whatever. I got over him a long time ago. Right about the time he judged me, thought of me as being a lesser person, all because I didn’t have seven figures in the bank. Long before he tried to buy my silence over Piper. I didn’t need his money to raise her.”
“No, you didn’t, and I don’t mean that in a derogatory way. You did what any decent, good mother would do to protect her daughter. Her child. Look,” he said, taking my hand in his palm, his smooth, well-manicured hand enveloping mine. “I was an ass. I can’t deny that. But I’ve lived for years being miserable. Other than the kids being born, my smiles were all fake. I’m here to make this right. For you. For Piper.”
“And Tyler.”
“Absolutely, he’s part of all this. And my dad doesn’t get to be a part of any of it.”
“Does he even want to meet Piper?” I swallowed the lump in my throat. Why did I ask that?
“It’s off the table, even if he wanted to. I wouldn’t permit it, Bexley, you have to know that. The company is mine in a few short months. And no, don’t bring up this bullshit charge against me. I’m about to get out from under it. My dad is done, retiring soon. I fulfilled my duty, and now Federal is mine to do with what I want. And what I want is for him to be out of there and out of my life. C’est la vie, finito . . .”
Aston flicked his wrist in the air, signaling the end of this conversation. “Now, we’re here to have a good time. What do you want to drink?”
“Wine? White, please.” My head hurt from trying to keep up with all the nuances and major changes that had come into my life in the last few weeks. I needed wine more than ever.
“Good. Let’s get a bottle.”
“You’re going to drink white wine?”
“No, you’ll drink what you want, and then we can leave the remainder for our server. The bottles are better selections.”
“That’s a little crazy. I’m fine with a glass.” I eyed Aston, and he dismissed my judgy perusal by burying his face in the wine list.
Our silence was interrupted by a young brunette, all cheery and bubbly. “Hi, I’m Janie. Welcome to Saddlebrook’s. Have you been here before?”
Aston said, “Yes, you know I have, Janie.”
Feeling out of place, I simply shook my head.
“How about this bottle of chardonnay? Bin number forty-three,” he said, glancing at her as he pointed to a line on the wine menu. “And a Lagavulin, straight up, for me.” Turning toward me, he asked, “Are you good with the chef selecting our dinner and sending it out in courses, so we don’t have to be interrupted anymore?”
In absolute disbelief that this was my current life, I nodded.
“Great. Now we can
