Page 44 of Denial
They paint the picture of a loving father-daughter relationship. The kind I used to mourn long after my dad left.
“Don’t lose that,” I murmur. “Don’t you ever let her down.”
Sutton’s eyes flick to mine. The normally bright blue appears as a muted gray in the flickering TV light. “Not intentionally. Never that, but you and I both know I will at some point.”
I nod, my lips flattened into a thin line. I get what he’s saying. You can be the best parent in the world, and at some point, your kid will still find a reason to think you ruined their life.
My shoulders slump. “Yeah.”
“I’d give anything to keep that from happening.”
“I know, Sutton.” I rise from the couch, stretching quietly. “Anyway, I need to go.” I straighten the hem of my shirt, dropping my hands to my sides in search of my things.
Sutton’s hand shoots out and captures my wrist. His fingers wrap in a strong grip.
“Do you?”
My brows dip. “Do I what?”
He’s not asking me to stay…Is he?There’s no way in hell he’s asking me that.
A muscle jumps in the corner of his hardened jaw. He drops my hand. “Do you know I’d give anything to make her happy?”
Oh.I mentally kick myself. My lack of attention as of late is causing me to read too far into things.
“Of course. You’re a good dad, Sutton. Anyone with eyes can see that.”
His chin dips in a choppy nod. “Appreciate that.”
“Good night.”
I hightail it into the kitchen in search of my crossbody and cooler. I locate Bert on the counter and tuck my little cactus into my purse.
Footsteps behind me ratchet up my pulse before I have a chance to escape.
A deep breath steels my nerves enough to turn around. I don’t know what’s going on this evening, but this version of Sutton is unfamiliar.
I blink against the harsh light from the television. The glow casts Sutton in silhouette, but not enough that I can’t make out his dark blue jeans or the black cotton tee stretched across hischest. Solid biceps bulge from the way he has his arms crossed as he leans against the doorway between the two rooms.
He looks good.
And I am a goddamn saint for not jumping his bones. The promise of hot hate sex is huge.
His eyes meet mine, and suddenly, I feel like he can read my very indecent thoughts.
“Thank you. I haven’t said that yet, and I’m starting to feel like a prick about it.”
The tension eases, and I laugh softly. “Yeah, well, you should.”
The corner of his mouth twitches. “I deserve that.” He drops his gaze to the floor. “Truly, though.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I’m just doing my job.”
“Yeah.” Sutton releases his arms and knocks once on the wall. “Get home safe, yeah?”
I pick up my travel mug, feeling uncharacteristically off-kilter. “I will.”
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