I shook my head. “It’s Danny, and I’m not getting between them, Sinclair. If you want Dante to stay, then you need to be the one to ask him.”
Sinclair pressed on, “Dante listens to you. It would be better...”
Melissa interjected, gently dabbing her mouth with a linen napkin. “Forgive me, Sinclair, but no. Rowen is right. Dante thinks of you as his father. It would be more heartfelt if he learned his father would prefer him to live in New York. So if you want him to stay, then you need to be the one to ask. As for my daughter, she is young and impressionable. All I ask is that you consider her wants when you broach the subject with Dante.”
Sinclair sat silent, fixing his gaze on Melissa. For the first time since I had known him, he was left without a response. Somehow, Melissa had spoken her mind with calm composure, stating her concerns directly and respectfully, yet leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind that she would not be swayed. Even though her words cut through Sinclair’s authority, she maintained a level of decorum and politeness that he had never quite deserved.
Sinclair nodded, conceding Melissa’s point with a hint of humility. “You’re right, my dear. I hadn’t thought of it that way.I will make time to speak with Dante soon.” His words carried a new sense of understanding, the weight of Melissa’s gentle insistence lingering between them.
“In the meantime,” Melissa said politely, setting her napkin on her plate, “I think I need to rest for a bit. Eating such a heavy meal isn’t settling with me. If you gentlemen would excuse me.” With grace, she stood up from the table.
As Melissa left, Sinclair and I rose from our seats in silent respect, both of us watching her as she quietly left the room. The moment she was gone, I sat down again, unable to hide a grin as I reached for my cup of coffee. “Never thought I’d see the day you, of all people, would be struck stupid by a beautiful woman,” I teased, lightening the mood.
Sinclair grumbled in response, his pride just a little wounded. “There is a first time for everything, Rowen.”
I chuckled softly, shaking my head. “Apparently.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Rowen
“Thank you for coming with me,” Melissa said, her voice soft but earnest.
“No problem,” I replied, glancing in my rearview mirror at Danika. “Honestly, I love spending time with Danika—she’s my best girl. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”
“Yep!” my niece giggled from the backseat, squirming happily in her car seat as we drove through the city lights.
Melissa hesitated, her gaze dropping to her hands. “I know it probably sounds silly, but I was worried Dani wouldn’t want to see me. I haven’t exactly been present in her life lately.”
I could see the guilt flicker across Melissa’s face, and I wanted to reassure her. “Trust me, honey,” I replied gently, catching her worried eyes. “Danika’s been well cared for. She knows her mom’s been hurting, and we’ve all pitched in while you took the time you needed.”
“Even Sinclair?” she asked, her tone tinged with disbelief and a cautious hope as I let out a reluctant chuckle.
“Yeah,” I admitted, “even Sinclair.”
Melissa’s shoulders slumped in relief, her eyes glistening with gratitude as the tension in her expression faded.
Soon, we pulled up in front of the steakhouse. The savory aroma of grilled meat drifted out as we stepped onto the bustling sidewalk, neon lights flickering above the entrance and mingling with the city’s distant hum.
“A steakhouse?” Melissa asked, raising a brow as she took in the busy scene.
“LaVander’s isn’t just a steakhouse. It’s a monument to good food. Besides, who doesn’t love a good steak?” I grinned, shifting Danika onto my hip.
Melissa shot me a look. “What if I were vegan?”
“Are you?” I teased, enjoying the playful glint returning to her eyes.
She rolled her eyes, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. “No,” she said, exasperated and amused. “But that’s not the point.”
I laughed and glanced at Danika. “I think your mommy’s getting her feisty spark back. I’ll have to stay on my toes from now on.”
“Yep!” Danika giggled, hugging my neck as I led them both inside. The buzz of laughter and the clinking of glasses welcomed us in.
“Ah, Professor Shay,” LaVander greeted, his round face rosy and warm. “And you’ve brought Miss Danika with you. My, she’s gotten bigger.”
“Yep,” I said, hefting her higher in my arms. “She’s growing by the minute.”
“And who is this beauty?”
