Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 44899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Wise man,” Tonio agreed. He leaned back in his chair, his posture more relaxed than I’d ever seen it. “I once stole a car when I was sixteen. Not for any practical reason, I already had a car. I just wanted to see if I could.”
“Did you get caught?” I asked, finding myself genuinely curious.
“No.” Pride flickered across his features. “But I did crash it into the Cumberland River an hour later.”
Jason, who’d returned to hover at the edge of our little circle, laughed out loud. “No way.”
“Unfortunately, yes.” Tonio shook his head, rueful. “Had to swim back to shore in January. Nearly got hypothermia.”
The staff was fully invested now, their faces alight with interest as my father shared stories from a past I’d never imagined. He told us about the time he’d smuggled a friend’s pet snake into a formal dinner party, only for it to escape during the soup course. About the summer he spent working on fishing boats to prove to Seth he could make his own way. About the first time he saw my mother, paint splattered and furious because he’d blocked her view of the sunrise.
With each story, the stiff formality between us ebbed, replaced by something I wasn’t ready to name but couldn’t ignore. I’d wanted to catch him off guard, to push his buttons and see what lay beneath the polished exterior. Instead, he’d flipped the script, meeting me halfway with unexpected candor.
Sully’s hand found mine under the table, giving it a gentle squeeze. He leaned close, his lips brushing my ear. “That’s my woman,” he murmured, pride evident in his voice. “The only woman in Nashville to get the best of Antonio Miles.”
I turned to look at him, a question in my eyes.
“Look at him,” Sully nodded toward Tonio, who was now demonstrating to the bartender the proper way to mix some obscure cocktail, his movements fluid and precise despite the alcohol. “He knew what you were doing from the start. He’s playing your game, but changing the rules.”
I studied my father with new eyes, noting the way he’d loosened up without losing control, the way he commanded the room while still making everyone feel included. It was masterful, and I couldn’t help but admire the skill behind it.
“Did I just get played at my own game?” I whispered back to Sully.
He pressed a kiss to my temple. “You both won. Different prizes, though.”
As if sensing our conversation, Tonio glanced over, catching my gaze for a moment. There was an acknowledgment of the small battle we’d waged across the dinner table, but also a small salute of respect when he raised his glass to me before taking a sip.
“You know, Tonio,” I said, loud enough for everyone to hear, “I came here tonight planning to drive you crazy.” The confession slipped out before I could stop it, fueled by the whisky and the strange new feeling taking root in my chest.
Tonio’s eyebrow arched. “I had some inkling.”
I looked at Tonio, really looked at him. I thought I saw pieces of myself reflected back.
“Now I think maybe I wouldn’t mind getting to know you,” I admitted, the words feeling like surrender and victory all at once. “But if you tell anyone I said that, I’ll deny it.”
Laughter rippled around the table, but Tonio’s eyes remained fixed on mine, something soft in his gaze. Then he signaled to Jason with a slight lift of his hand.
“Last call back here, guys.” A genuine smile spread across his face. “I think it’s time we call it a night while we’re ahead.”
As Jason hurried off to comply, Tonio raised his water glass in my direction. “To defenestration,” he toasted, his voice warm with amusement. “And to second chances.”
Despite myself, I clinked my glass against his. “To second chances,” I agreed, and meant it.
Chapter Eleven
Darby
The night air hit me like a slap of reality as we stepped out of the restaurant, the world tilting pleasantly around the edges. I giggled, leaning heavily against Sully’s solid frame as he guided me toward the car. Behind us, the restaurant staff waved goodbye. The evening had turned out nothing like I’d expected. I’d gone in ready for battle and somehow ended up actually enjoying Tonio’s company and having fun. The realization should have terrified me, but wrapped in the warm cocoon of good whisky and better company, I couldn’t summon the energy to panic.
“You’re drunk,” Sully observed, amusement coloring his deep voice as he helped me into the back seat of the car Tonio had called for us. One of his two full time drivers, apparently. I mean, seriously. Why did the guy need two drivers?
“Not drunk,” I corrected, wagging a finger at him. “Pleasantly buzzed. There’s a difference.”
“If you say so, darlin’.” He chuckled, buckling me in before closing the door.