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“I’ll see you later.”

His thumb brushed my cheek.

“I’ll be here.”

Something about those simple words made my chest ache.

I kissed him one more time, lingering just long enough to taste the mint on his lips and the promise of later. Richard’s hand lingered on my waist, before I finally forced myself to leave the bedroom.

The penthouse was quiet except for the distant sounds of the city far below. I slipped into the marble bathroom down the hall to shower quickly, then changed into a simple but elegant sundress the color of sea glass. I pinned my hair up loosely, letting a few strands fall to frame my face, and added a touch of gloss and mascara. Nothing too dramatic for lunch with Dad.

When I stepped back into the main living area, Richard was already on the house phone. “Yes, now. Take her to The Azure and wait for her. Bring her straight back when she’s finished.” He hung up and looked at me, eyes dark with that familiar hunger. “My driver will get you there and bring you home. I want you back before five, okay?”

I nodded, stealing one last kiss before heading downstairs. The sleek black town car was waiting at the private entrance, engine already running. The driver held the door open. The ride along the coast was smooth, windows down just enough to let the briny ocean air whip through my hair and clear my head.

The Azure sat perched on the cliffs like it had been carved from the coastline itself. A sleek, open air restaurant with large glass walls that blurred the line between indoor elegance and the endless Pacific. Sunlight danced across the water, turning it into a glittering expanse of turquoise and gold. Our usual table was reserved near the wide windows overlooking the beach.

My father was already seated when I arrived, looking distinguished as ever in a crisp button down, the ocean breeze ruffling his silvering hair. The hostess smiled warmly as she led me toward him, her heels clicking against the polished teak floors.

Dad stood when he saw me approaching, a broad smile breaking across his face.

“There she is.”

I smiled and hugged him tight, breathing in the familiar scent of his cologne.

“Hi, Dad.”

“How’s my girl?”

“Good.”

“That’s obvious.”

I laughed as I sat down, the chair’s woven seat cradling me perfectly as another wave crashed far below.

“What does that mean?”

“It means you look happy.”

The waitress appeared with a bright smile and took our orders. For a while we talked about ordinary things. My latest paintings. His work. A charity event he had attended the previous week. The conversation flowed easily, the way it always had between us. My father had always been my favorite person to talk to. Which was exactly why I knew he was carefully steering around the real subject. Eventually he set down his glass and looked at me.

“So.”

I laughed, already bracing myself.

“Here we go.”

“What?”

“The thing you have been trying so hard not to ask.”

A small smile appeared on his face.

“Fine.”

He leaned back in his chair, studying me.

“How are things with Richard?”