NICE GIRL TO LOVE (THE COMPLETE THREE-BOOK COLLECTION)(39)

They both turned to watch a tall, distinguished looking man stand up and come over with his ‘date’—Abby would’ve guessed daughter at first but seeing his hand on the woman/girl’s ass quickly dispelled that theory.

“Connor, did you get that paperwork I left on your desk today?”

So, a colleague, then. One that, from the looks of it, Connor didn’t like very much.

“Yes, I did. I’ll look over it in the morning,” he answered brusquely, his eyes as hard and cold as she’d ever seen them.

The stranger didn’t budge. “Well? Aren’t you going to introduce me to your beautiful date, Connor?”

Abby watched a muscle tick in Connor’s cheek as his entire posture turned rigid with anger. Alarmed, and thoroughly lost, she stuck her hand out to the man to try and defuse the situation. “I’m Abby. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“I’m delighted to meet you, Abby. I’m Marcus, and this is Lynn my personal assistant.”

Riiight.

“So, are you two here on a date?” inquired Marcus.

Abby could see why Connor didn’t like him.

Connor’s glare went from angry to furious.

“What? Can’t I be just a little curious about my son’s love life?”

Son. The rude man was Connor’s father.

“Lynn,” Connor shot a withering glance at the woman fidgeting beside Marcus, “I hope you remembered to order my mother’s anniversary flowers already. You know how hard it is to get those lilies that she loves so much.”

Lynn blanched and mumbled, “No, I forgot.”

Marcus raised an eyebrow in a silent touché, before conceding, “Fine, keep your secrets, Connor. I guess I’ll just have to get to know Abby better on my own.” He turned to face her. “Perhaps this weekend at the charity ball?”

Abby froze, and did her best to keep her smile plastered to her face.

“That’s enough!” barked Connor.

“People are starting to stare, Marcus,” whispered Lynn.

Marcus gave Connor a triumphant look and then took a step back. “Well, I see the two lovebirds just want to be alone. Have a good evening. Sorry to have interrupted your date.”

Abby kept her eyes glued to the menu until he was gone. Really? Did he have to put such a scornful emphasis on the word ‘date?’

“I’m sorry you got sucked into that.” Connor’s voice was literally vibrating with rage.

She dropped her menu. Connor shouldn’t be apologizing for his socially corrupt father. “You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for.”

He covered her hands with his. “That charity ball he mentioned—”

Oh. Well, there was that. “You don’t need to explain.”

“It’s just an annual gala we all go to because the firm is one of the main sponsors. I forgot about it completely. Usually, I just take Victoria to these sort of things but if you want to go, I’d love to take you.” He turned a shade uncomfortable. “It’s a black tie affair. I, uh, could take you shopping for a gown. And I’d buy it for you, of course, since you’re doing me the honor of being my date.”

A little part of her died on the inside at the offer…and then rose from the dead out of sheer annoyance when she saw Marcus watching them with that same aggravating smile.

This was a vicious, vicious world Connor lived in. Surviving here took a whole skillset she lacked entirely.

“What night is this ball?”

“Saturday.”

“I actually have plans for that night,” she lied, giving him a wan smile. “So I guess I won’t get to have my Pretty Woman shopping moment with you.”

His hand closed tighter around hers. “I’ll stay home if you want.”

She shook her head vigorously. “No, don’t do that. You should go have a good time.” Wanting desperately to get some air, she stood up abruptly and looked around for a restroom.

He caught her by the elbow. “Talk to me.”

“There’s nothing to say. I just can’t go. But I really, truly want you to have fun. Charities are important.” She patted his arm reassuringly. “And despite her kissing you and offering you a member massage in front of me, Victoria does seem kind of nice.”

“You’re not upset?”

“No,” she replied with complete honesty. “Just uncomfortable. Give me a few minutes to collect myself and I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll give you five.” He gazed at her worriedly. “If you’re not back by then, I’m coming after you and we’ll leave. We can go to that little Chinese restaurant you love so much.” A genuine smile lit his face then.

Alright, now she was upset. But not at him. At his world. At his father. At everything that kept Connor tethered to the toxic things that were poisoning his life.

She rushed off to the restroom, knowing Connor would make good on his offer to whisk her out of there if she showed him even a hint of the anger she was feeling. But she didn’t want to give his father the satisfaction. Even now, from where he sat across the room, Marcus Sullivan was visibly laughing at her discomfort in the most mocking, condescending way possible.

How a man like that managed to father two of the best men she’d ever known was a complete paradox.