Kelsey groaned in misery and probably embarrassment. But he stayed focused on Rowan’s answer.
Rowan’s mouth pressed into a line that should’ve been unfriendly and somehow made him notice its shape. “I didn’tmakeher work at the shop. She volunteered. And I told her to text you.” Rowan’s eyes cut to Kelsey. “Did you?”
Kelsey’s cheeks went pink. “I ... started to,” she said, then defiance flared. “But I got distracted and figured you were working late again and I’d be home when you got in. I told Tom! Rowan was going to drive me home.”
He gritted his teeth. “Tom isn’t your father. I deliberately left on time so we could do dinner together. You know how I felt when I couldn’t find you? You have your own beach close to the house.”
“Sorry. But, Dad, you’re never home for dinner! You work nonstop, so I figured I’d just stay and eat. Plus, I really like it here. It’s cool. Everyone’s really nice. Our beach sucks.”
The accusation cut deeper than she knew. He went on defense. “Do you know what people pay to be close to our beach? It’s private.”
“Nothing happens. It’s not good for surfing.”
His brow climbed. “You’re surfing?”
Her cheeks flushed again. “No. But I like watching it. Plus, no one’s around where we live.”
Guilt hit and only made him more irritated. Everett had hoped renting a house would make her more comfortable than a hotel, but it seemed his decisions were always wrong. He felt Rowan’s stare, as if relishing his discomfort. Time to wrest back control. “I’m sorry I’m working nonstop to get you the best of everything. I’m even sorrier it’s not good enough. But next time, I’d appreciate an ask before you decide to allow a stranger to drive you home. Now, get your stuff and let’s go.”
He hated the sound of his voice, all uptight and mean, but refused to back down.
“Dad, I’m sorry, okay? Can we please stay? At least until I’ve had dinner? We did a lot of work.”
He remained silent.
Kelsey let out a frustrated cry, spun on her heel, and stomped into the shop.
“You shouldn’t do that.”
His head cranked around. His voice dropped to a warning growl. “Excuse me?”
Rowan closed the distance, standing a few feet away. Wild strands clung to her cheeks, and she pushed them away with a graceful motion that told him she was used to taming her hair. Those extraordinary eyes locked on his, shimmering with ...
Judgment.
“You shouldn’t shame her with the guilt game. It’s not fair. Throwing money around like she should be happy is a rotten way to bond. Especially at her age.”
His jaw almost unhinged. “You know nothing about my daughter or what she needs.”
“Sure I do. I was thirteen once.” Did her lip flash in a quarter smile or was it his imagination? The moment was gone before he could register it. “If you’re gonna leave her alone, at least allow her to make some new connections. She needs community.”
The words cut across him like a soft blade. Damned if she didn’t own every word with a certainty that he grudgingly respected. She didn’t seem intimidated by his anger.
“She needs to do as she’s told,” he countered. “She needs structure.”
“She needs both,” Rowan said. Her eyes were steady, and lit with a fierceness that threw him off. “Let her stay and eat with us. She worked hard to be a part of this celebration. Don’t take that from her because of your pride.”
Oh, this woman was outrageous. How dare she bestow her shallow opinions on him. His gaze narrowed. “Obviously you don’t have kids or know much about responsibility. While you have your fun surf parties, I’m working to provide my daughter with a life she can be proud of. That means when she disregards the rules, there are consequences.”
Rowan remained quiet. His words seemed to echo with false drama, making him want to wince. It was as if she was goading him and he kept taking the bait. Finally, she slowly nodded. “You’re exactly what I thought you’d be when she spoke about you.”
At work, he was a master at control, but here he couldn’t restrain the question spilling from his lips. “What’s that?”
Her smile was brilliant and cutting, just like a shark. “An asshole,” she said cheerfully.
Then she disappeared into the shop with Kelsey.
Son of a bitch.
