“Is this because you… may have…” Dad looks pained, like he’s trying to figure out a math problem. If I didn’t know what he’s trying to say, I might laugh. “Feelings for… Ashton? You might like him?”
I groan. “Please don’t start.”
“I’m not starting anything. I may not have thought a lot of him, but I have to say—he may have grown on me.”
“Really?”
“Please don’t look so happy about that,” Dad grumbles. “I’m just saying, you could do worse.” And his gaze flicks over to where Martin dances with Barb.
“Are you ever going to approve of anyone I date?” I wonder.
“Are you dating him?” he demands. “I said he’s growing on me, not that I like him.”
I laugh, and as we turn in a small circle, I see Ashton standing by the door.
My heart catches. He’s wearing a suit in black velvet, perfectly tailored and fitted, a snowy white shirt and a tie the colour of…
I smile. Ashton found a tie that matches my dress.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen with him,” I tell Dad without taking my gaze off Ashton.
At the way he smiles—a half smirk/smile—and the way he doesn’t take his eyes off me.
My stomach flips and flops and squeezes, all at once.
The song ends, and another begins. “You should go dance with Mrs. Theissen,” I tell him.
“Sophie…”
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on with the two of you, or am I going to have to keep guessing?”
“I don’t… we didn’t… I’m not sure…”
I laugh, because it’s not often one gets to see Duncan Laz flustered. “It’s okay,” I tell him. “I approve. If that means anything.”
“It means a lot,” he says, silvery eyes looking a little damp. “With Fern here…”
“Is that why she’s here? So you can make it official?”
Dad shrugs, looking completely out of his depth. “Maybe? But your sister—”
“Will be completely fine. Now, go. Figure things out.”
“I love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you, Daddy.”
Dad makes a noise in the back of his throat as he pulls me into a hug. “You haven’t called me that in a long time.”
“I think it’s time that I start again… especially if I’m going to be living at the castle. Someone has to act as your chaperone.”
Dad laughs. “Maybe we should rethink things.”
44
Ashton
She’sthefirstpersonI see when I get there.
