cell and, apparently, a frown because her whole face is turned down as she stares at the screen.
“Are you going to answer it?”
She looks to me, her eyes unsure, but she hits the Accept button and puts the phone to her ear.
“Father.”
My eyes are fixed on her, even though she turns her shoulders slightly, trying for privacy.
“Yes, I’m aware. I’m with friends, Grey and Liam.”
Whatever he’s saying to her has her entire body tensed.
“I understand. Trust me, your disappointment rings loud and clear.”
Disappointment? What the hell could he be disappointed by? She’s incredible. Her fingers make way to her wrist and fidget with her bracelets. It’s something she does when she’s nervous and uneasy. I don’t even have to hear what her father is saying to know that I don’t like it.
“Yep. Got it. I’ll try really hard not to come home knocked up by a local or embroiled in national scandal… No promises, though, if one of those British princes shows up.”
My lips tip up at her sarcasm. That’s my girl. Never let them get the best of you.
Donovan pulls the phone from her ear, the screen already dark. He must have hung up. She smiles at me to hide her embarrassment, but I see it.
“Hey, don’t do that.”
Her head turns toward her door, but I reach out and grab her chin, forcing her back to face me. “You don’t ever have to do that with me. Not with me, Donovan.”
“I can’t seem to stop making him ashamed that I’m his daughter. Like it’s my function in life.”
“Whatever he’s said is bullshit. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past. I see you, I always have, and you’re stunning, inside and out.”
“What if I’m not that same girl anymore?”
Her whisper sounds of quiet regret as her head relaxes heavily into my hand, dropping forward until her forehead leans against my shoulder. My palm runs down her hair as I drop a kiss to the top of her head.
“I prefer the one sitting in my car—hotter body and she has bite. There’s nothing that you could tell me that would change my mind.”
“Don’t be so sure.”
“Do you want to test that theory?”
She shakes her head against my shoulder, and I want to push her for information, but whatever Donovan survived in Spain was enough to turn her against herself. That’s not something I’d thought possible for her future.
“All right then, do you want me to try for a hostile takeover and ruin his business? McCallister Inc. is all mine as soon as I turn eighteen, after all.”
Her head pops up, shocked. “It is? You could do that?”
I chuckle as she sinks back into her seat. “Probably not, but I could try.”
Her laugh fills the sky, and just like that, I begin falling for the girl.
“Okay. Drama’s over.” She breathes out in a whoosh, brushing her hair back. “Now answer my question.”
“What question?”
Donovan looks at me dumbfounded, as if me forgetting is a crime.
“What’s something unexpected you’ve done during my lengthy absence?”
“Oh yeah.” I smirk, and she pokes my shoulder. My hands tighten on the steering wheel, the leather quietly squeaking as I push, extending my arms straight. “Qualified for the Olympic rowing team.”
I let my arms buckle as I look at her stunned face.
“What! Grey, that’s amazing.”
Her hands find my shoulder, and she gives a tiny squeeze, as I lean in sideways closer to her. “Nobody knows. That’s our little secret.”
She pushes against me, mouth gaping. “Why aren’t you yelling it to the rooftops? It’s an amazing fucking accomplishment.”
My hand wipes across my mouth before I give a light punch to the center of the steering wheel.
“Because it’s not in the cards for me. I can’t walk away and know that everything my family built would remain intact. My life is my legacy. If I leave, it would all crumble…I won’t do that in her name.”
Donovan’s eyes soften. She knows I’m talking about my mother. Her hand comes to cradle my cheek as she levels me, pulling her sunglasses down and locking eyes on me.
“Sweet boy, since when does anyone choose for you? Find a way to do both. If anyone can, it’s you, no matter what anyone else says. My Grey does as he pleases without apology. It’s what makes him king of the Upper East Side.”
“Is that so?” I answer, turning my head to kiss the inside of her palm.
“Absolutely.”
She keeps her smile as she turns to rummage through her bag again.