Page 24 of Big Deal Sweetheart

Nova shut her eyes tightly, her lips twitching. “He’s behind me, isn’t he?”

Candi nodded. “Yep, and so is your dad but he doesn’t look like he’s ready to hit him. I call that a win.”

“I’m pretty sure you done hit where it really hurts, darling, or maybe it wouldn’t hurt if what I just overheard is true. What’re you doing here, boy?”

Jeffrey turned to face her dad, hands in his pockets. “Hello, sir, good to see you again.”

Nova wasn’t in the mood to be cordial or have the man who she had no wish to see or speak with ruin her big day. “We have nothing to say to one another, Jeffrey. I’m not even sure why you’re here, and honestly, I don’t care. The fact I have zero feeling at all when it comes to you is actually really refreshing.”

Her ex rocked back on his heels, an action she’d found appealing before. This time, she saw it for what it was. Him trying to make himself appear as if he were charming, boyish even, when in fact he was a shark in snake’s clothes. She didn’t care that she was mixing metaphors in her mind.

“I was hoping I could take you out for dinner or drinks to celebrate your success. I remember all the nights you’d spent drawing and creating clothing when we were together.” He turned to look at the models as they walked by.

Yeah, she remembered those nights too, nights he’d scoff and tell her to give it up.

“That would be a no. Please leave and don’t bother to contact me again.” Nova wasn’t going to be nice, leaving any kind of opening would give the asshole hope.

“Your loss, Nova. I made partner. I don’t have to work so many hours. You and I could’ve done all the things we’d talked about.” He shrugged.

Candi moved in front of Nova. “She prefers someone with a little less ego, and a lot more...everything, Jackhole. Now, I suggest you go on and scurry away before her father decides he doesn’t mind getting his five-thousand-dollar suit wrinkled.”

Nova covered her mouth, trying to contain her laughter as Candi held her hands a foot apart while she spoke. There was no denying what she meant even as her ex’s face turned a shade of red. It wasn’t that he was terribly small in the D department, it was that he wasn’t...like someone else.

KEIFER KEPT HIS HANDon his daughter’s arm while they watched the little prick get told off. It took monumental effort not to be the one to hand him his ass. Rage had washed through him when he’d heard the man remind Nova about their past. Hell, he had no right to the woman, yet he was ready to beat the man to a pulp. He actually enjoyed hearing the man lacked in one area that he knew for a fact he didn’t.

“Dad, she’s gorgeous,” Delilah whispered.

Fuck, he couldn’t agree more. “Dee, maybe we shouldn’t go.”

At that moment, the daughter of one of his best friends noticed them. She’d been in the show and was a huge model in the industry. “Gigi, how are you doing?” he asked.

“Keifer, Delilah, you made it. My mom and dad are in town, but I don’t think they made the show.” Gigi rolled her eyes, giving him and his daughter air kisses.

“Is Zayn here?” his daughter asked. She was a huge fan of the musician the model was dating.

“Yes. Would you like to meet him? I mean, if it’s alright with your dad that is?” Gigi blinked up at Keifer.

Keifer sighed, knowing there wasn’t any way he could deny Delilah the opportunity to meet the singer. “Sure, lead the way.”

“Why don’t you go over and say hi to Nova while I go with Gigi, and I’ll come back here after I gush over Zayn? Sorry, Gigi,” Delilah said with a giggle.

“Truly, it’s fine, Keifer. Besides, everyone gushes over my guy. I’ll bring her back to you safely. You know Nova, the designer?”

How did he describe what he’d had with the other woman? The best night of his life he’d fucked up. Yeah, he didn’t think that would go over well. “If you’re sure. I’ll just say hi then if you haven’t returned, I’ll wait in the car out front.” Or if Nova kicked him in the nuts, then he’d scurry away like a whipped dog.

He watched the two young women walk away, then turned back to where he’d seen Nova standing. The older woman was clearly her mother, while the older man had to be her father. The taller blonde he was a little scared of, but the only one he had eyes for was Nova. Shit, he needed to get his head on straight, or he’d make an ass of himself.

In that moment, her dark eyes met his, ensnaring him. Keifer began walking toward her, skirting models without breaking stride, murmuring apologies without looking at who he’d bumped into. He came to a stop a couple foot from Nova and the trio of onlookers.

“Hello, Nova, you look beautiful.”

“Thank you. Did you enjoy the show?”

Her husky voice sent a shiver down his spine, making memories of that night pop into his mind. “I did. Your pieces are remarkable, but what you’re wearing is probably my favorite.”

Nova had a complexion that was tan, but he didn’t miss the slight rosy tint that stained her cheeks. His memory of another time she’d blushed for him was one he had jacked off to more than a dozen times. Shit, he really needed to quit thinking about sex in front of the man and woman who were clearly her parents, especially with the older man glaring at him as if he could read his thoughts.

“My apologies, sir, and, ma’am. My name is Keifer Sparks. I met your daughter in Sweetheart, Colorado with my daughter Delilah a few weeks ago. She was a savior who didn’t allow my child to dye her hair black in a fit of rebellion.” He held his hand out toward the older gentleman and waited.

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