Page 23

I grinned. “I think so too.”
While I waited for the check, Zoey caught my eye again. Her mouth had dropped open as she glanced between me and the exit Dominic had stormed out of. When her expression grew concerned, I winked at her.
Once I’d paid the bill, I made my way past Beckett and Zoey’s table.
“Ms. Winter, is everything okay? Your date didn’t look too happy with you.”
“You know what, Zoey, he wasn’t, and that’s okay. You should only go on dates where the other person is kind and respectful to you.”
Zoey gestured to Beckett. “Like my dad.”
I bit my lip and nodded. There was no way I could share my real opinion with her. “Yup, just like him.”
“You should join us.” She sprung up and pulled out the chair between her and her dad.
“Oh, Zoey. I don’t want to interrupt your time together.”
“He doesn’t mind. Do you, Daddy?”
Way to put your father on the spot, kid. I glanced at Beckett. A slight tic appeared in his jaw, and a slight chill entered his eyes—the opposite of the look he’d given me earlier.
She slid back onto her chair.
“Uh, I’m sure Ms. Winter has plenty of other things to do rather than hang out with us,” he finally responded.
And that was my cue to leave and not make this any more awkward. Clearly, Monday night was an experience Beckett wanted to avoid repeating. A quick stab of pain in my chest surprised me. It hurt that he was blowing me off like this, even if I didn’t want a repeat of it either.
Not wanting to explore the direction my thoughts were heading, I patted Zoey’s shoulder. “Your dad’s right. I should get going.”
“Can’t you stay for a few minutes? Just a few. That won’t mess up your night too much, would it?” Zoey’s eyes widened, and a slight quiver appeared on her lips. I was pretty sure she was manufacturing her dismay, but even knowing that, her expression tugged at my heart.
“Well…” I smoothed down my skirt, abruptly dropping my hand when I realized what I was doing.
Beckett let out a deep sigh, telling me he already regretted the words about to come out of his mouth. “Please join us, Ms. Winter.”
I hated to disappoint Zoey. And what would a few minutes matter? It’s not like I was having dinner with them, and I could deal with Beckett’s cold shoulder for a bit longer.
I sat in the chair Zoey had pulled out for me.
Her satisfied grin had me narrowing my gaze. Why did I have a sneaking suspicion she was up to something?
“Are you hungry, Ms. Winter?” She gestured to the bread bowl and the plate of calamari.
“Your date seemed like a winner,” Beckett directed at me after sipping his drink.
His sarcasm made me bristle in anger. What an asshole.
“Daddy, that’s not nice.”
Beckett winced. “I didn’t mean to offend, Ms. Winter. What I meant to say is you’re better off without him.”
“Much better,” Zoey coached him.
I had to hide my smile. Zoey seemed quite serious, and I didn’t want to upset her.
She popped a piece of bread in her mouth. Jiggling in her seat as she enjoyed the taste. “Why did you agree to go out with him in the first place if he’s such a jerk?”
Beckett choked on the calamari he’d popped into his mouth. “Zo, that’s not polite to ask.”