Scooting out of the bench, I waved that off. Both of us knew I’d barely touch them, just like we both knew how hard I’d been trying to pretend like it didn't bother me that Luke had stopped talking to me. As I made my way down the line of cheap vinyl booths, I scanned the faces until I saw him. Tall, broad, and just as sexy as ever, he was leaning on his elbows, intent on whatever the girl across from him was saying. I thought she looked too young for it to be a date, but stranger things had happened.
Then I reached the edge of the booth. Both Luke and the girl with him looked up. Both of them wore the same shocked expression. Both of them were familiar. Things had just gotten complicated.
"Hi, Luke," I said. "Been trying to get ahold of you."
He nodded. "Had some things to sort out." His jaw clenched as he lifted his head. Those brilliant green eyes of his looked right into mine, but he didn't look happy. He looked like he was about to pick a fight. "Violet, I'd like you to meet Faith. My daughter."
Chapter Twelve
Daughter? In that instant, I was thankful for the years I’d spent learning to keep my face completely still. I had no idea Luke had a kid, but I very clearly remembered telling him I didn't want to be a mom. He had to have taken that the wrong way. Regaining my composure as fast as I could, I looked over to Faith.
And wondered why I hadn't seen it in the bathroom. The girl had his eyes. Oh, they weren't the same green color, but the shape matched. She'd also gotten his thick hair and elegant nose. Someone else had given her the high cheekbones, although they were hidden behind a layer of youth. I had seen enough young models grow up to know that this girl was going to be very pretty before she even hit high school.
"It's a pleasure, Faith," I said, smiling at the girl as if I’d never seen her before. Then I turned back to Luke. "I got the stuff you asked for so we can do the hay. I'd been hoping to catch you when you came to feed the horses the last few days, but it didn't seem to work out."
He slowly bobbed his head. "Been busy. Now, if you don't mind, I was hoping to enjoy a meal with my girl."
My face fell. I knew a dismissal when I heard it. I nodded. "Sorry, Luke. I honestly didn't mean to intrude. If you want to text me a list of people who can help with the hay, that'd be awesome."
"I'll take care of it. I told you I would."
"Dad," Faith hissed.
He lifted a finger. "I'll be by later. Just have whatever-his-name-is leave the stuff in the barn."
"Yeah. Thanks." I turned to leave, but Faith caught my wrist.
"He's just in a bad mood. Mom yelled at him before we left, and won't let me stay with him this weekend. He's not trying to be mean."
"I know," I assured the girl. "I just get lonely up in that big house all by myself. If you ever decide you want to hang out, I have a pretty amazing pool."
"Southwind?" Faith asked. "Dad, can I?"
He gave me a disgruntled look. "Honey, I think she's just trying to be nice."
"I'm not," I insisted. "Luke, I'm opening a school for teenagers. I work with models who aren't that much older than your daughter. You don't have to stay, but she really is welcome to come up and hang out, go for a swim, or whatever."
"I'll have to run it past her mom."
Faith groaned. "Dad, don't. She never lets me do anything."
"Because you don't like the things she wants to do," he said gently. "Honey, I just don't want to put Miss Dawson out."
"I made the offer because I mean it," I told Luke. Then I looked at the girl. "And don't let him weasel out of it."
"Promise."
I lifted my hand and stepped back. "Sorry to interrupt, you two."
Hurrying back to my table, I tried to make it look as casual as possible, but it was a retreat. Luke wasn't just avoiding me, he was pissed at me, and it really was all my fault. I couldn't even blame this on Ashton. Not that brawling had been a good idea for either one of them, but still. Luke had a daughter. I’d said I didn't want to have kids, and he had a daughter that he seemed to care a whole lot about.
I slid into the bench across from Ashton and took a long sip of my drink, glancing over my shoulder to make sure I wasn't followed. It wasn't out of the realm of possibility for Luke to want to say something where his daughter couldn't hear. Or Faith. She looked independent enough to come apologize for her Dad. Thankfully neither of those things happened. Ashton, however, was staring at me strangely.
"How much shit am I in?" he asked.
"He has a daughter."
Those words made my best friend's mouth fall open. "That's unexpected," he managed.
