he wanted to talk to her. Did he think to make another run at reconciliation? She’d been shocked when he’d shown up at the house last April and wanted to talk. He’d started with an apology and then proceeded to tell her why they had made such a mistake in splitting. She’d reminded him that he’d been the one to leave, but he’d inferred that he’d only done so to shock her into seeing she was making a big mistake by continuing the path she was on. Daphne had stared incredulously at this man who wanted her to take the blame because instead of begging him to come home the minute he left, she’d discovered a new life without him. Finally, after he’d talked about how he’d been thinking that they could make it work again, she’d risen, opened the back door, and told him that she was happier being exactly who she was and wasn’t interested in reconciling. Rex hadn’t taken her refusal well. He’d stormed out and made life much harder for her. But lately, he’d been better. Well, sort of.
She glanced over at where Clay was sitting. He sipped coffee and watched her, which was sort of creepy and flattering at the same time.
Rex leaned forward. “I see Clay is here. How’s he been working for you?”
“He’s better than I imagined,” Daphne said, suppressing a smile even when she knew she shouldn’t take any pleasure in the double entendre only she knew about. It was an odd thing to sit with one man she’d slept with while the other one gave her come-hither looks. Twilight Zone music played in her head.
“That’s good,” Rex said, his gaze narrowing. “What?”
“Nothing.”
Thankfully, at that moment the waitress arrived and handed Daphne a menu. Daphne turned back to Rex. “The house is nearly done. When you’re out that way, you should come by and see it. The bathroom looks amazing. You wouldn’t believe the difference, and the kitchen is almost complete. It’s going to look like a totally different place.”
Conversation about the house they’d shared for years seemed like a safe topic.
Rex nodded. “I suppose the old place needed some updating. We never got around to doing what we said we would. Time seems to fly when you’re having fun or raising a kid, right? I mean, she’s turning twenty-three. How can that be?”
“I know. Out of college, looking to take the world by storm. Well, maybe for Elle, it’s more like a gentle shower. That whole J.J. Krause thing set her back a little.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t like the idea of her living in New York City by herself anyway. A looker like her in that place is like a little mouse in a roomful of alley cats. This gap-year thing so many kids do now ain’t a bad thing. Get their feet wet in a puddle they’re familiar with.”
Daphne thought about that. “Maybe. She doesn’t seem very happy, though.”
Rex studied her. “Why do you say that? Every time I’m around her she seems fine.”
Because she never showed her displeasure to you. You’re her daddy, the man who always gives her the moon and stars. I’m her mother, and my job is to keep her from burning her fingers on all the stars you rope for her.
“Maybe I’m wrong,” Daphne said, giving the waitress, who had returned, her order. “I’ll have the pancakes, side of bacon, and a cup of fruit.”
Rex’s face wasn’t exactly judgmental, but she knew what he was thinking. All those carbs will go straight to her ass and thighs. That’s how Rex rolled. Didn’t worry about the paunch he carried, but damn sure said something to her if her pants were the least bit snug. Daphne didn’t care. She was going to relish every damned bite.
“Listen, part of the reason I came here this weekend is because I need to talk to you,” Rex said, getting a look on his face she knew all too well. He wanted something from her.
She was almost afraid to ask. “What?”
“So this is a little embarrassing, but I don’t really know where to turn, and since it deals with the business we built, I thought you’d be more willing to—”
“Wait a second,” she interrupted. “The business we built? I think I remember you telling the judge that it was your business.”
“Daph, I admitted that you kept the books and helped me run Pinnacle, just like you readily admitted that I held down the fort when you were off peddling your books.”