“No.” He guided me right to Ash. “I was getting to know this nice young man, and he’s a delight to talk to.”
Ash turned to me, his eyes serious but the corner of his lip slightly raised, like he knew exactly what my father was trying to do and found it amusing.
I found it a bit horrifying.
“He plays the guitar,” Dad said. “Why don’t you two…?” He pointed at us both before he ditched me—then grabbed another slice of cake from the table.
I watched him go with a sigh before I turned back to Ash. “He’s already had one piece of cake, which was too much. Now he’s going for a second, and he knows better.”
Ash held his glass of champagne at his side, filling out his clothes the same way Hades did. “It’s a special night. Let him celebrate.”
“I know, I just want him to live for all the special nights.”
He slid his hand into his pocket and looked at the floor for a moment, like he didn’t know what to say. “I’m flattered your father likes me enough to force his daughter into a very uncomfortable situation.”
I chuckled, liking his sense of humor. “Don’t be too flattered. I think he’s trying to marry me off fast now that my brother has settled down.”
“This is new for me. Not a lot of people are pushing me to marry their friends and sisters.”
“Why?” I blurted, finding him even more attractive than his brother.
He shrugged. “I’m not really marriage material. Maybe your father should have asked me that first.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t pull out a list of questions from his pocket.”
Now it was his turn to chuckle. “I don’t think you need help finding a man anyway. And I don’t need help finding a woman.”
He was definitely more arrogant than his brother, or just more honest. “Actually, I’m seeing someone.” We’d never established if we were in a relationship, and it would be smart to get out of it before it really turned into something. But when I was faced with a possible suitor, Heath was the only man I could think of. I felt obligated to state that he existed…because I was committed to him.
“Oh? Your father doesn’t like him?”
“No. Doesn’t know about him.”
“Does Damien know?”
“Yes, he’s not a fan.”
“Now I understand,” he said as he gave a slight nod. “Damien doesn’t seem to like anyone, so I guess that doesn’t surprise me.”
Well, this time, it was actually legitimate. “Thanks for putting up with my father. He sees a handsome man and immediately tries to play matchmaker.”
He grinned. “I am handsome, aren’t I?”
I chuckled before I took a drink of my wine. “I used to have a crush on Hades when I was young, and you look very similar.”
“I bet you would have had a crush on me instead if we’d met.”
I shrugged. “Maybe I would have liked you both.”
“Two men…that’s a lot for one woman to handle.”
I smiled. “Not for me.”
At the end of the night, we said goodbye at the door. Sofia and Hades carried their kids to the car and went home. Ash shook hands with everyone before he walked to his car at the curb outside. I was the last one to leave, giving Anna a hug. “Now, I get a sister. I’ve always wanted a sister instead of a brother.”
She laughed as she hugged me back. “I know you don’t mean that, but thank you. And thank you for being so kind to me since the beginning. The instant we met, you were so easy to talk to… You made me feel welcome. I really appreciate that.” She pulled away and gave me a slight smile.
“Well, I tend to like everyone unless they give me a reason not to.”
Damien stood there, watching us. My father had already gone to bed because he was wiped out after all the festivities. He had a distinct joy for life, but it made him burn out quickly. Damien came to me next, being a gentleman by walking me to my car outside since it was late in the evening. “Good call on the ring.”
“Told you,” I said when we were out of earshot. “If you gave her that candy ring, she probably would have said no. And if she didn’t, she should have.”
“It wasn’t that bad, but you’re right. She seems to really love it.”
“Damn right, she does.”
He stopped when he reached my car. “Saw you talking to Ash.”