Dex glanced at Maya, who smirked at him. “No, that’s fine. Please join us. Your company is more than welcome.”
Bev, at least, wasn’t immune to his charm. She sat while Roy went to get them something to eat. “So, Maya, your father has been telling me that you’re an artist?”
Maya took a long sip of beer, watching Bev.
Dex watched the scene play out, wondering if the stubborn woman would be intentionally rude or if she’d play nice. Apparently she didn’t mean to play nice withhim, inviting others into their private time.
“I’m an artist, yeah.” Maya nodded. “I work with clay, primarily. But sometimes I delve into other mediums.”
“Oh? That’s really interesting.”
“Not as interesting as Poindexter here.” She thrust a thumb in Dex’s direction.
“Poindexter? Really?” He hated that stupid nickname.
Maya grinned. “Dex is a famous photographer.”
“Don’t deflect, Maya.” He turned to Bev. “Maya’s been in art shows all over the Northwest, and she’s had pieces in a ton of galleries. The big ones in Tumalo and Sisters, Fobragios in Portland, and a few in Seattle, right, Maya?”
She stared at him. “How do you know all that?”
“I know things.” Dex gave her a smug smile.
“Really? Well did you know I’m still hungry?” She snatched his third piece of pizza off his plate.
“Predator,” he mumbled, and she laughed at him as she ate his piece.
Bev chuckled. “How long have you two been dating?”
“A billion years,” Maya said at the same time Dex answered, “Not long enough.”
Again, Bev laughed.
“What about you and my dad? You two already shacked up or what?” Maya asked.
The silence that settled over the table felt heavy, until Bev grinned. “You don’t hold back, do you? Roy warned me that I’d like you.”
Dex let out a quiet sigh of relief. Good thing Roy had chosen a woman with thick skin.
“Your father handled some business for my late husband years ago, and when I found myself needing financial advice, he was the guy I knew would shoot straight with me. Then, well, you of all people know how charming he can be.”
Roy returned with a tray of Thai food and drinks. He set Bev up before helping himself to dinner. “What did I miss?”
Roy had height, probably where Maya had gotten hers, as well as an olive complexion, light brown eyes and dark brown hair. A handsome-enough guy who looked far younger than what had to be his late fifties or early sixties. He was a financial planner for one of the big names and a whiz when it came to money. Dex had always liked him because the man didn’t tolerate nonsense—especially not from his obstinate daughter.
“Maya was asking Bev how long you two have shacked up,” Dex said helpfully.
“Maya, really?” Her father shook his head.
She glared at Dex before turning a sweet smile on her father. “Well, you never saw fit to mention her, so I thought I’d go for her intentions right away. Don’t want anyone taking advantage of my poor daddy.”
Dex choked on his beer. Boy was she laying it on thick. A little bratty for a woman her age. Her attitude made him want to take her back home and spank the hell out of her ass before sliding inside her. He shifted in his seat.
Roy just looked at her. “For your information, Bev is very comfortable, with or without me. She should be careful aroundme, because we all know how money-hungry I am.”
Maya suddenly looked bored. “Oh.” Then she looked at Bev. “He’s all yours.”
Bev chuckled. “You sound just like my oldest boy. He’s always staring down any man I go to dinner with, giving him ‘The Talk’.”
