Page 22 of The Rebel

“That was out of line. I brought you here, thinking we could start over with a clean slate, but it just made things more complicated. At least for me.”

Holy shit!His eyes had darkened a tad. So it wasn’t just me. He felt it too.

“But I’ll do better from now on.” He seemed to have spoken more to himself than to me, so I just nodded.

But I wasn’t sure he was right about that—not at all.

CHAPTER 6

ANTHONY

For the restof the week, I kept my distance from my very sexy assistant. No more lunches or other ventures outside the office. We did go on location a few times, but I was the consummate professional. I tried not to even look at Daisy if I could help it—because one look was all it took for my imagination to spiral out of control. On Friday, I was already looking forward to the weekend. I wanted a respite from the office and from being too close to Daisy.

My family often got together at the mansion in the Garden District, but from time to time, we brought the party to LeBlanc-Broussard, especially when a big group canceled their reservation. In all honesty, it was the only way we could get a table for all of us.

Today we were right next to the window, with a great view of Royal Street.

“Uncle Anthony, I’m so happy you’re sitting next to me,” Bella said.

I glanced at my niece, wondering why she was laying it on thick already. Obviously, she wanted to ask me for a favor. She’d gotten quite good at shmoozing during her short years.

“I’m happy, too, cricket.”

Chad and Scarlett were sitting opposite her, Simone on her momma’s lap, and Chad was already looking at us with suspicion. I winked at my brother, letting him know it was okay.

All of us liked to spoil Bella, but we had an agreement: We always double-checked whether Chad was good with our plans.

“Dad said,” Bella said, frowning at my brother, “I can’t go to your music competition.”

“Right.” I was completely taken aback. I’d braced myself for two scenarios: a conversation about how I could sneak her more sweets or about convincing Chad to let her watch the nextHarry Pottermovie. I swear she spent half her time doing that.

“And you would like to go?” I asked, looking at Chad, who was frowning at Bella, too, as if he couldn’t believe she was bringing this up. I organized a yearly music competition to discover new talents in New Orleans. This year’s started next week.

“Yes, but Dad says it’s too late in the evening.”

“Bella, I didn’t say we can’t go at all, just that we can’t stay too long,” Chad replied.

I smiled at her. “See? Your dad has a good plan. I’ll probably attend a few evenings, and let you know when it seems less crowded.”

Chad considered this. “Sure, that works.”

“Perfect.”

Bella clapped her hands excitedly. “I can’t wait. I’m the first one in my class to go to a music competition. Uncle Anthony, can I borrow your phone when I’m there?”

This was getting weirder by the minute. Once again, Chad focused on his daughter. Clearly he was sensing some shenanigans.

“Why?” I inquired.

“My friends dared me to take a picture of the hottest singer there to prove I was there in person.”

I felt my eyes bulge, and I quickly looked at Chad because I was out of my depth. I had no idea how to even reply.

“What kind of a dare?” Chad asked calmly, and I had mad respect for him. I was a chill person, but if my ten-year-old daughter… No, I wasn’t going to go there.

“I told you,” Bella said impatiently, “we’ve got a dare that whoever attends the first competition has to take a picture of the hottest dude there to prove she’s not lying.”

I wanted to scrub my ears with soap. A dare? Hottest dude? What was the world coming to?