Page 45 of Sugar Coated

Fang took his hand and shook it. “Nice to meet you.”

My dad let the handshake go on a few seconds too long, and just like that, I could tell he was a bit unnerved by Fang. Or, rather, the sight of his sharp, silver canine teeth, which he finally caught a glimpse of. “I know you made that contraption for my daughter’s hand. Beautiful work. How exactly do you two know each other?”

“I’ve done some work for the Lucianos, helped ‘em out when they needed it. Lola sent Laina my way. You know her, don’t you?”

It took a moment, but my dad nodded. “I wouldn’t have gotten the job without her and Sylvester’s public support.” He paused. “So this is purely business, right?” He glanced at me, probably hoping I’d tell him what he wanted to hear.

I mean, come on. Why would I invite someone I did business with to this stupid dinner?

“Dad,” I started.

“What? It’s a genuine question. You’re my daughter. I’m allowed to ask.”

Both Fang and my dad were looking at me, waiting for me to say something. Fang would undoubtedly be okay with whatever story I would tell, but… you know what? I wasn’t going to lie and tell my dad Fang was just business. Fang had never been just business.

“No,” I finally spoke, “it’s not just business.”

My dad’s mouth dropped open; he might’ve suspected, but hearing me confirm it was a different story. A waiter happened to walk by with a tray of champagne, and he plucked one off. To Fang, he asked before taking a sip, “How old are you?”

“Thirty-four” was Fang’s answer, and my dad nearly choked on that champagne.

“Thirty-four?” His voice went up an octave or two when he repeated Fang’s age. “Oh, dear. I, um, do you mind if I have a moment alone with my daughter?” He didn’t wait for him to reply; he simply took me by the wrist and led me away… literally to the other side of the room, as far away from Fang as we could be without actually leaving.

My dad was slow in letting me go, and when he did he ran that hand through his hair. “Laina, I know you might feel like you need to act out after what happened to you, but—”

I interrupted what would surely become a lecture, “I’m not acting out. Not with Fang. I like him, and he likes me.”

“He’s practically twice your age.”

“Not really. Four years less.”

My dad went on, as if he hadn’t heard me, “And those teeth. What on earth is with those teeth? They can’t be real.”

“They are.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m trying to understand. I want to be reasonable, but… Fang isn’t the sort of man I wantto see you with, not to mention his age. I just want you to find someone more appropriate.”

“I’m nineteen. You can’t tell me who I can and cannot date, Dad.”

The sigh he exhaled was chest-deep. “You’re right, but… I’m your father. I want what’s best for you, and I just don’t know if what’s best for you is someone like that. Are you even sure you should be dating so soon?” He lowered his voice as he said, “Honey, what you went through would be enough to traumatize anyone. Don’t feel like you need to do anything, like you have to prove anything.”

“That’s not what this is.” Across the room, I spotted Fang near Mike; he’d gravitated toward him, the only face in the room he knew beyond mine and Kieran’s—the latter of which was still stuck talking to people I didn’t know.

“Then what is it?”

My gaze shifted back to my dad. For a split second, I didn’t see the mayor. I didn’t see a man whose ambitions had grown to the point where they couldn’t be contained. The only thing I saw was my dad, and it threw me for a loop because I swore to myself my dad was behind it all.

But now… I was pretty sure I was wrong.

I decided to be honest with him: “It’s just me trying to be happy.”

Again, my dad sighed, and then he gave me a smile—and just like that, I knew everything was okay. “I suppose I can overlook who he works with and how old he is, as long as he makes you happy.I’mnot happy, but that’s not the point. As long as you’re happy, I’m… okay with it. Mostly.”

“Thanks, Dad.”Around his figure, I saw a third person talking to Mike and Fang—Sylvester. I excused myself, and thankfully my dad didn’t try to stop me. I wove through the crowd, making it to the three men.

Fang’s expression lit up when I approached, while Sylvester gave me a nod. Mike said nothing, but his gaze did linger on me a few seconds too long before he resumed surveying the room.

“Where’s Lola?” I asked. I didn’t see her face anywhere, and hers wasn’t a face you’d miss in a crowd. Without a doubt, she’d be the best-looking here; I bet she could rock a fancy dress like nobody else.

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