Page 37 of Broken Daddy

“No, I just saw your profile inThe Timeslast year. My husband and I went to your restaurant for our anniversary. He surprised me with a table, said it took weeks to get a reservation!”

I smile kindly, giving her my full attention. It’s definitely not everyday someone recognizes me on the streets.

“Oh, thank you. I’m happy you guys got to experience the Fig.”

The woman is blushing, obviously embarrassed now that her actions have caught up to her. “I’m sorry to interrupt your day, I just wanted to let you know we really loved your food.”

Laughing, I thank her and watch as she hurries in the other direction, back to a small group of friends who look bemused.

When I turn back to Nate and Eva, Nate has the same look on his face.

“Fan of yours?”

I shrug, a little embarrassed and a little proud. “Apparently. She likes my food.”

Nate squints into the distance as the flow of pedestrians continues around us. “You know, I never mentioned it, but dinner the night I was there was great.”

Eva looks up at her dad with wide eyes, her hand swinging in his. “You went to Genevieve’s restaurant, Dad?”

My face heats at the innocence of her question. And the memories.

Nate coughs, then casually answers, “Yes. Before she came to work for us, I went with Marian and Nel to the restaurant Gen was a chef at. The food was very good.”

Lips curling into a smile, I can’t stop myself as I lean in and whisper, “Was there anythingnoton the menu you enjoyed that night?”

Nate’s smirk surprises me. It’s a lot like his brother’s, but he has a dimple that I never really noticed. Distracted, I stumble on a broken piece of concrete and Nate catches my elbow as our gazes meet.

“I can think of a few things, yes. Dessert was…delicious.”

Heat rushes to my core.

My eyes sweep the streets as I look for an alley to drag him into before reality catches up with me.

It’s the middle of the day, and we’re out in the city for a day of fun.Notfor hooking up in alleys.

Eva sees a patisserie and begs Nate for a hot chocolate. Unsurprisingly, he gives in almost immediately. I’m starting to realize Eva has her dad wrapped around her little finger, but it’s actually sweet. He sets down rules when they’re needed. Otherwise, he indulges her, and it obviously makes him happy to seeherso happy.

It also just happens to be…attractive.

Which is a bit of a weird thought for me. I’ve never been too interested in kids, even when my ex talked about the family we would raise in the city once the restaurant was established.

But seeing Nate, a single dad, interact so selflessly with his daughter—and so openly—is captivating.

He must sense my eyes on him, because as we step into the café, he looks over his shoulder, and that glowing grin falters for a second.

Don’t turn back into the big bad wolf,I mentally beg.I like you like this—silly, unselfconscious, strolling down the city streets like any other guy.

Except he isn’t any other guy.

He’s a billionaire trying to lead a company, raise a daughter alone, be present, be responsible, be professional, and be an attentive brother.

Honestly, it’s amazing he even found the time to climb into my bed.

We get Eva a hot chocolate and settle down at a table as she stands at the front window and watches the world go by. I catch the scent of something familiar and nausea rises in my gut. Searching the patisserie, I catch sight of the culprit—ripe strawberries on top of a pastry drizzled with glaze. Since when doesthatsmell make me sick? It normally reminds me of summer.

“Does that happen a lot?” Nate eventually asks after a comfortable silence.

I raise my brows at him, blowing on the latte I ordered to get me through the second half of the day. Hopefully, the scent of it will outweigh that of the strawberries. “Hmm?”

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