Page 26 of Big Deal Sweetheart

“You didn’t have to come, you know,” Nova whispered near his ear.

“I’m aware, sweetheart. I wanted to.” He wanted to do so much more than go to a restaurant with her. He didn’t think she’d appreciate him saying exactly what he’d like to do to her in a car filled with her family, so he kept quiet, which was a hard thing for him to do.

She made a tiny sound that reminded him of a little growl. It was sexy as fuck.

“Don’t call me sweetheart,” she muttered.

Keifer dipped his head so that his lips were by her ear. “You and I need to talk.”

“So, Delilah, I heard my daughter did your hair. My mother refuses to retire, saying the good people of her town wouldn’t know what to do if she wasn’t there to do their hair. It was a stroke of luck Nova was there that day instead of my mama. While I love you dearly, mama—” she laughed at Nell before continuing—“she’d probably have given you a perm and talked your ear off instead of such a trendy style as you have now. So, tell me, Keifer, what is it that you do?” Natalia asked.

“I am right here, Natalia. And perms never go out of style, dear.” Nell crossed her arms over her chest, a smile on her lips.

“Mother, please, can we keep the inquisition on hold until after we’ve eaten. I haven’t had anything since yesterday.” Nova put her hand over her stomach.

Keifer reached for her other hand. “Stress tends to make it hard on the constitution.”

“Don’t tell me you still get an upset stomach before a big meeting?” Nova looked up at him from beneath inky lashes.

He snorted, wondering when the last time he’d been worried about sealing a deal, then remembered the way he’d felt when he’d found his bed empty after she’d left. Yeah, his stomach had been twisted for days, weeks if he really thought about it.

“We’re here. We probably could’ve walked but it’s proven to be a cold Valentine’s. I’m surprised you didn’t have a hot date, Keifer. Not that I know you well enough to presume, but a man who looks like you and of your position surely isn’t hurting for female companionship,” Liam fished.

“I find that dating for the sake of a companion isn’t that appealing, sir.” The truth felt good to express. After his wife’s death he’d had plenty of women throw themselves at him, and he had taken plenty up on their offers. He was ashamed to admit that many had expected him to take things further, but he’d always been upfront in regard to the fact he wasn’t looking for the next Mrs. Sparks. Hell, he didn’t think he’d ever want to get married again. That was until he saw a woman, who made him want things he swore he’d never want, standing in a salon in Colorado. A woman who was probably too young, too good, and dammit he wanted her. He had nothing to offer her except himself, which wasn’t shit on the grand scale of things. What could he offer a woman? Well, except a man in his late thirties with a teen daughter, and an attitude that most of his friends said needed work. He had money, lots of it and things. He had homes all across the world, but did he have what it took to make a woman happy? Keifer couldn’t say yes for sure, yet he wanted to find out.

The restaurant they went to was one that was in his portfolio. He hadn’t asked where they were going, so when they got out, he touched Liam’s arm. “I’m one of the owners here. Do you mind if I have them seat us in one of the reserved rooms?”

Liam grinned. “Only if you’re paying, son.”

He nodded and walked in first, with his daughter keeping Nova occupied so that it wasn’t obvious what he was doing. Not that he minded Nova knowing his wealth. Shit, she might have more money than him. However, he didn’t want her to think he was flexing or whatever the kids called it these days. The maître d came to attention at his entrance, hurrying over while looking around him. Keifer knew he and Delilah’s bodyguards were near, but he paid good money to ensure they blended in instead of being obtrusive. Just as the Langston’s guards were doing as well.

“Sir, I wasn’t aware you were coming in. How many are in your party?”

Keifer told him to move the Langston party to his private area that was reserved for the owners and special guests. They had a couple of small rooms that were for just such occasions.

A couple hours later, Keifer hated the thought of the evening ending, and with it, his chance to talk with Nova.

“Dad, why don’t you and Nova go out and get the car for us while I see if the Langston’s are going to be in town long?” Delilah asked.

“That sounds like a great idea. Nova, go with Keifer there while I find out more about this young lady. She reminds me of you when you were young.” Liam stood up, pulling Nova’s chair out for her.

Keifer got to his feet, smiling down at his daughter then across at Liam. The two of them were definitely matchmaking.

“Mother, you need to have a talk with your husband.” Nova shook her finger at her dad.

“Why is it he’s my husband at times when he’s on your naughty list, but you have no problem claiming him when he’s done something amazing?”

Nova shrugged, her eyes twinkling in the lighting from the chandelier. “Probably because I’m smart just like my mother. Claim the good, fob off the bad.”

“Take notes, Delilah.” Liam sat back down as he spoke.

Keifer would’ve told his daughter to not listen to a word they were saying, but he was getting a moment alone with Nova and didn’t want to miss a second of it. He put his hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the door and out into the restaurant area. There wouldn’t be any check he would need to worry about since the maître d would’ve already applied it to his account.

“So, you own this establishment, huh?” Nova asked at the entryway.

“Yes. And you’re a fashion designer as well as a hair stylist, or are you a hair stylist at all?” Hell, did it even matter?

She laughed. “Are you worried you let a non-licensed professional handle your child’s gorgeous hair? Rest assured I am very much a professional with the credentials to do hair here in New York as well as Colorado. As a matter of fact, I can do hair in any state I want, since a lot of my clients travel and need me to fly to them if they are on shoots.”

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