Page 121 of The Daddy’s Girl

And with that, I grab my purse and head out the door.

We’re sitting out on the patio, and our party takes up the entire thing. Because of the timing when we sat down, Matis ended up on the other side of the table, nearly as far away from me as he can get. He’s by my dad and some of Archer’s family.

I’m on the opposite end between Phoenix and Elizabeth. Every once in a while, I peek down at the other end and make eye contact with him. When he grins subtly over his wineglass, I get a flurry of butterflies in my belly and end up squirming in my seat.

“How’s the project going?” Phoenix asks with interest as she picks up her naan, dipping it in the hummus sampler in front of us.

Honestly, I’m falling behind. Dating my dream guy is incredibly distracting and has taken precedence over the project, but I can’t tell her that. So I shrug.

“It’s going well. I think I’ll be all set for a show next month. Do you think we have time for that?”

Phoenix nods emphatically. “Of course. We’ll make it work.”

“Yeah, we’re here to support you,” Elizabeth adds with her chin up and a glass of red wine balanced in her delicate fingers.

This still feels surreal. Why had I never expected these two to have my back before? They’re both so…dedicated and confident. They set their minds to whatever they want to accomplish, and they get it done. Elizabeth was a prima ballerina at, like, age fifteen, and now she dances in shows across Paris, acting like it’s nothing.

Not to mention I’ve seen her perform at the club. It’s rare, but she still does it. Usually either on the pole or the birdcage or even just a plain chair, and she’s so captivating I’m not even sure she’s human. I don’t think she has a timid bone in her body.

And Phoenix is so brilliant and stoic, it makes me feel as if I could never fully open up to her. She’s been glued to Jack’s side since she came to Paris to work at the club when Matis owned it. I guess when my brother drew the line in the sand between him and Jack, I took Julian’s side.

But I’ve never had a problem with Phoenix. I just never really saw her as a friend.

Phoenix leans forward again, resting her elbows on the table. “A little birdie told me a rumor.”

I stiffen in my seat before my eyes glance over to Matis at the other end of the table.

“Oh yeah?”

“Your dad bought a new place in London.”

The air leaves my chest in a whooshing sigh.

“I think I know who that little birdie was,” I reply, hearing Jack laugh at something a few chairs down from me at that very moment.

“Any idea who might run it?” Phoenix asks, taking another slow sip from her glass.

I freeze again, glancing at her while my heart starts to pick up speed. It’s stupid of me to get immediately territorial for him, but I want to scream at her. Matis! That is Matis’s club, and he’s going to run it. Do not take this away from him.

When really…that’s the last thing I want. Phoenix taking the job would be the perfect solution for me.

But would it be the perfect solution for him?

I clear my throat. “I assume he’ll offer it to Matis first,” I mumble, trying to remain casual.

Phoenix nods. “I figured as much.”

“Does anyone know how to retire around here?” Elizabeth chimes in in a cool, emotionless tone.

“Well, I don’t know if Matis will take it,” I whisper, leaning closer so he doesn’t hear his name. Peering back, I notice his gaze trail over to me, that sexy smirk on his face again.

Luckily no one seems to notice as Phoenix continues. “Well, if he doesn’t…I’m going to put my name in for it.”

“You’d be great at running your own club,” Elizabeth adds. Her expression is still steel-tight, but she serves praise and compliments nonetheless.

“Thank you,” Phoenix replies with a smile. Her copper freckles nearly glisten through her makeup, and I hardly noticed before just how pretty she is. She’s always so serious and closed off. But when she smiles, she really shines.

Just then, one of the waiters brings a cake out for Archer, and everyone sings “Happy Birthday” to him. Matis’s eyes are still glued to mine across the table, and I have to bite my lip to keep from grinning like a fool.