Page 9 of The Daddy’s Girl

“Yeah, because you’re actually a kick-ass chef. I’m a barely trained designer with no fashion experience.”

This time, the entire table boos me at once, and I’m assaulted by flying napkins from every direction.

“Amelia Shannon Kade,” my mom scolds me. “You take that back right now.”

“You are going to make that program, and you’re going to be a star,” Freya says firmly.

With that fierce expression on her face, I really have no choice but to surrender. Putting my hands up, I let her win this one.

“Fine, geez.”

The table falls into casual conversation, finally taking some of the attention off me. Clutching my necklace between my fingers, I spin the charm around the chain to busy myself.

For a while, it’s just nice to listen to everyone else speak without feeling their eyes on me. As my parents tell us about their latest trip to London, I notice Matis watching me for a moment.

I glance his way briefly, and our eyes meet. The way the corner of his mouth lifts makes my stomach somersault with butterflies. It’s a completely innocent smile, and it ends far too soon.

“Traitor,” I mouth, making his shoulders shake with silent laughter.

“Sorry,” he mouths back.

When I glance at my best friend next to him, I find her and Julian kissing quietly and her leaned up so close to him she’s practically in his lap.

I make a look of disgust. “Get a room.”

Everyone laughs, except for my brother, who simply rolls his eyes. At the end of the table, my mom has her hand linked with my dad’s.

“Amelia never did like PDA much,” my mom says before leaning over and giving my dad a quick kiss.

I make another gagging expression and turn away. “Because you two are always doing that.”

“What’s wrong with public displays of affection?” Matis asks from his seat across from me.

“Nothing, when they’re not your parents,” I reply before taking another drink. “Or your brother,” I add when I notice Julian getting a little too cozy with Archer this time. I wish they’d keep their hands where I can see them.

“She’s just jealous,” he murmurs before practically sucking his fiancé’s face off right here at the dinner table.

Picking up the many napkins now in front of me, I toss one back at the both of them. “Knock it off. Our parents are here!”

But they’re not much help. They’re practically doing the same on the other side.

Yuck.

The only two left not sucking face are me and Matis. With a disgruntled humph, I cross my arms over my chest and pick at the last bits of rice on my plate. I can feel him watching me though, with that stupid, handsome smirk on his face.

“You wouldn’t mind it so much,” he says with his sexy-as-sin accent. “If it was you.”

Down, girl. He doesn’t mean him and you.

My mouth goes dry, but I play it off with a sarcastic smile and avoid his eye contact at all costs. “I beg to differ, mon vieux. PDA is gross. Romance is overrated, and love is a trap.”

He chuckles at the slightly taunting nickname, unbothered by the fact that I always call him old. If only he knew it was all lies. Lies, lies, lies. I adore the idea of PDA and romance and everything that comes along with it…but only with one person.

“Someday, Trouble. You’ll see.”

Someday. Someday, I will find someone who distracts me enough to tear my heart away from the man across the table. I have to believe that. I can’t possibly be this lovestruck forever.

“Trust me, Mel,” my brother adds while running his hand through his perfect blond hair. “If I could find it, I have no doubt you will too.”