Page 26 of Penalty Kick

“Yes.”

Gunnar sucked in a deep breath, his eyes going wide. This conversation had definitely taken a turn that neither of them expected. Their server showed up with their food, giving them a brief moment to collect their thoughts.

When they were alone again, Gunnar leaned forward, looking her straight in the eye. “Talia, you can’t live your life in fear.”

“I don’t. Fear has nothing to do with this. Mom could have done a lot of things after finding out she was pregnant, and she made her choices. I’m making mine. And my choice is to focus on my education and career. That is my priority.”

“I get that. And as your dad, I very much appreciate that your priorities don’t include…” he trailed off, become visibly uncomfortable. Good to know that he didn’t want to discuss sex with her just as much as she didn’t want to discuss it with him. “That your priorities are school and education. But, I also don’t want you missing out.”

“Missing out? I’m not missing out.”

“I saw you two together last night.”

Saw…saw me with who…Dash? Oh shit…

Talia stopped, fork halfway to her mouth, not sure she heard him properly. What had he seen? Maybe it wasn’t Dash but something else. Not that there was anything, or anyone, else to see. She’d been with Dash all night. Right up until he dropped her off at her elevator with nothing but a kiss on the cheek. So just what did Gunnar see?

For the love of all things, please don’t let him have witnessed the Tricky Licky. Talia was sure she was going to die right here if that was what he told her. That couldn’t have been it though. Had Gunnar witnessed that, he would have marched right over and dragged Dash out of Bunz by his scruff.

“I was on my way to the bathroom, and I saw you two. He was leaning in, like you were sharing a secret,” Gunnar continued, answering the unasked question. “I didn’t realize you had gotten so close.”

“I wouldn’t say we’re close.”

I just dream of his kisses, that’s all…

“T, I saw the way you lit up while you were talking to him. It’s not a bad thing.”

Not a bad thing. Now, there were words that she’d never thought she’d hear out of Gunnar’s mouth. Especially when it came to Dash. It was hard to believe that he was encouraging this. Hell, it was hard to be having this kind of conversation with him at all.

“You’re seriously encouraging this?”

“Encouraging might be a strong word. I think your priority should still be school. But I don’t think that dating would hurt.”

“Did Felicity put you up to this?”

“She has no idea I even intended on bringing it up. I’m sure she would tell me to stay out of it, because it’s not a dad/daughter conversation. But, we’re not exactly a normal dad and daughter, now are we?”

“We most certainly aren’t.”

“My point is this. Don’t miss out on a chance with someone who makes you light up like that. I get it, you look at Elena’s life and think that she missed out on all her goals and dreams because she had you. And I’m sure she did miss out on some things. But you’ve also shown me the letter she wrote you, so I know that you were her everything. She loved being your mother, and based on the little I know, I don’t get the impression that she felt like she missed out.”

Talia huffed, unsure of what to say. On the one hand, she understood what Gunnar was trying to tell her. Dash did make her feel things—things she never thought she would. The more she was around him and got to know him, the more time she wanted to spend with him. The more she wanted to let him in on her big secret. But she also knew that he was the good-time guy. Yes, he was fun and flirty, and that was great—to a point. Her nights and weekends were filled with work and homework, and when they weren’t, she preferred a quiet night in. It didn’t matter how much he made her laugh if he wasn’t interested in doing that from her couch. And after what he pulled in Vegas? She wasn’t sure that he could even be trusted. A night out with the guys to celebrate was one thing, but booze, strippers, and illicit drugs? No, thanks.

“This conversation took a very weird turn,” she commented, returning to her food.

“I told you from the start of this that I’d probably be shit at the whole dad thing.”

“You do okay.”

“Okay? I’ll take it. Just, think about what I said, huh?”

Talia nodded. She would think about it. If she were honest with herself, it’s probably all she would think about for the rest of the day. She still needed to answer him about the carnival. Even if she’d hadn’t been too overcome by how close he was to her and the anticipation of him kissing her, he’d walked away before she could. Part of her had expected to wake up to a text, but nothing. He was leaving her to stew about it. Sooner or later though, he would want an answer.

An answer she was pretty sure she had decided on prior to this lunch. Gunnar giving his blessing—in a weird roundabout way—was making her rethink it though. It was just one night.

Of course, that was what her mother had probably said.

CHAPTER EIGHT