Page 84 of The Daddy’s Girl

Doesn’t it matter what I think? What I know. That he has never been the slightest bit inappropriate with me in all my life. That he never once used his age, authority, or power over me in any way. That he would kill and probably die for me if he had to.

And yet still they would ask, What is wrong with you?

Without knowing his heart the way I do. Without knowing his soul.

“Is it coming along?” he asks when he notices me lost in thought instead of hard at work.

I drop my pencil and glance up at him with a sheepish smile. “I think I’m getting hungry.”

With a smirk, he sets his paperback down on the table and looks at his watch. “It’s getting late. I should get you home. I’m sure your parents are about to have dinner.”

My stomach tightens at the mention of them, suddenly picturing that big, dark, empty house.

“They’re out of town,” I mutter to myself.

“Oh. Where will you sleep?” he asks, his brow furrowed.

“At…home,” I say with a hint of confusion.

I can see his jaw clench from here. “Not by yourself.”

Chuckling at him, I tilt my head. “I’m a big girl. I’ll be fine.”

He stands up with a huff. “Yes, but you don’t like being home alone. Let’s go.”

My spine straightens as I watch him cross the room. “Go where?”

“I’ll make you dinner, and then I’ll sleep in the guest room.”

Warmth floods my chest before it starts to pool low in my belly. He’s staying over? That seems like a risky choice with our behavior lately.

But with a grin, I jump out of my seat. He certainly won’t find me arguing.

A Bolognese sauce simmers on the stove, and some old French singer plays on the speakers. Matis quietly sings along as he stirs the sauce and takes a sip of his wine. Sitting at the dining room table, I can’t help but admire him like this. He is such a bighearted person, and he takes care of me because he wants to. How could he stay single for so long when he was clearly made for a relationship?

The screen of my phone lights up on the table in front of me. When I see my brother’s name, I swipe open the text.

Julian: Mom and Dad are in London again?

I type out my response.

Amelia: Yeah, they left this morning.

Julian: You want to come stay here?

I get a feeling of both resentment and gratitude that my brother seems to also know that I don’t like being home alone. I appreciate that my family knows me so well, but at the same time, I don’t need everyone in my life treating me like a child.

Amelia: I’m fine.

Julian: You sure? Arch and I can sleep in the guest room and give you and Freya our bed.

Amelia: You’re ruining your image as an asshole when you’re this nice to me.

Julian: Only for you. Don’t tell anyone.

I chuckle to myself.

Amelia: I appreciate it, but really, I’m okay.