Page 12 of The Hottest Daddy
“Well, anyway, so the job is going okay? I’m not surprised River’s hiding out.”
“What’s he like? I know he’s thirty-six and an artist but that’s all I know.” Sunday knew she shouldn’t be pumping Daisy for information, that she was drawing on their tentative friendship, but she couldn’t help herself. Since finding out about River’s stepmother … she felt she had to know more.
“Gorgeous-looking, but also a little …” Daisy searched for the right word. “Not sinister, but rather … oh bugger, I’m trying to find the right word. Brooding. He always has this troubled look about him. I like him; he tells it how it is and can’t be bothered with games.” She shot a glance over to her sister. “Probably why he and Aria didn’t last. Anyway, he keeps himself to himself, as you know. Once upon a time, he would come have coffee, chat with some locals, but those days are gone. Shame.” She studied Sunday. “And you really haven’t seen him?”
Sunday shook her head. “I have met Luke Maslany, though.”
Daisy’s smile widened. “Oh, I love Luke. He’s like a big teddy bear. I havesucha crush on him.”
“You should ask him out,” Sunday told and Daisy laughed.
“Right… He’s a big-deal doctor, and I’m a coffee shop owner.”
“So? Luke seems pretty down to earth to me, and there’s nothing wrong with owning a coffeehouse. You’re an entrepreneur. This place is wonderful. I’m sure I wouldn’t feel so welcome anyplace else.”
“You are sweet. But really, Luke is way out of my league.”
Sunday looked at Daisy incredulously. Daisy was gorgeous, all soft curves and warmth. “No one is out ofyourleague, honey.”
Daisy rolled her eyes. “Sweet talker. How about you? Any boyfriends? Or girlfriends? I shouldn’t presume.”
Sunday grinned. “Dude, if I were into girls, I’d be hitting on you right now.” They both laughed. “But no. No boyfriend. Not for a while now.”
“There’s a story there, isn’t there?” Daisy said, reading Sunday’s expression, and she nodded.
“Yeah. But for another time.”
“Gotcha.”
As Sunday walked back to her apartment, she glanced over at the diner, wondering if her erstwhile lover would turn up there again tonight. She had already decided she wouldn’t be there. Last night had been wild, crazy, and exhilarating—and a one-off. She didn’t need the complication, however much she craved that touch again.
Nope.
No way.
Chapter Six
River crouched down to take his daughter in his arms. “Hello again, Pickle.”
Berry, all dark curls and a huge smile, giggled. “I’m not a pickle, Daddy!”
“Yeah you are, big pickle. Hey, Linds.” He stood, Berry in his arms, to greet his ex-lover, who smiled at him gratefully.
“Hey, River. Listen, I cannot tell you how grateful I am for this.”
He waved her thanks away. “It’s always a pleasure, don’t be silly. Let’s go grab some breakfast. I know airport food isn’t that great, but I know somewhere we can go—if you have the time?”
Lindsey, a sweet, dark-haired woman, nodded at him, but there was something in her eyes that made him curious. “Of course.”
As they ate breakfast in a diner an hour later, she told him. “Stage IV,” she said simply, and River’s heart broke.
“No.Oh God … Linds.”
“Just my luck, eh? Just the tiniest lump, barely able to feel it, but apparently, it’s deep and spreading. Liver, lungs, brain.”
“Jesus.” River took her hand, and she squeezed his back. “Sweetheart … listen, we can do something. Sloan Kettering or anyplace in any country that can treat you, we can do that.”
Lindsey touched his face. “You are the sweetest man, River Giotto, but I’m afraid it’s way past that now. It’s okay, I’ve made my peace. It’s just …” She cut her eyes to Berry who was eating a huge stack of blueberry pancakes, a look of great concentration on her face. “I hate the thought of leaving …” She looked back at River with tears in her eyes. “And I know you didn’t ask for any of this, for us, for her but …”
