“Family reunion?” Deke frowned.
“Mom was here this weekend,” Amber told her dad. “She flew back to L.A. today.”
Huh. That was a fast trip.
“I see.” Deke paused. “I’m sorry to bother you at work, Amber. I didn’t know how else to get in touch with you.” He paused and glanced at Duncan. “I saw that article about you on the Internet.”
“Of course you did.” Amber lifted both hands to her temples. “The whole freakin’ world did. Look, I have customers waiting for their drinks. Also, my boss is sitting right over there.” She nodded to where Rupper had joined the others. “So we’ll need to have this little catch-up meeting some other time.”
“Okay,” her dad agreed. “When? Tomorrow?”
She swallowed and pressed her lips together. “Dad.”
“Here, let me take those drinks,” Duncan said.
“No!” She held him back with an outstretched hand. “They’re for Melissa and Indie.”
Duncan nearly groaned. “Fine. You take them. I don’t want to talk to her again.”
Deke’s forehead furrowed.
“I’ll be right back.” Amber picked up her tray with the two martinis.
Duncan and Deke eyed each other.
“So,” Deke said. “Chicago Aces. Right wing. Stanley Cup champion. Calder Memorial winner. Two-time Lady Byng winner.”
Duncan lifted his chin. “Yep.”
“Had to check out my daughter’s boyfriend.” Deke gave him a narrow-eyed look.
“Understandable. Did you do that before or after you got out of prison?”
Deke nodded. “Touché. You got me there.”
“Don’t know why you’re here,” Duncan said. “Amber hasn’t wanted anything to do with you for the last three years, maybe longer than that. You hurt her, and her mom, in the worst ways possible. I will not let you fuck her up again.”
Amber made a small noise behind him. He turned to see her looking at him with big, shiny eyes, her lower lip trembling. Crap.
“I love you too,” she whispered.
“Aw, baby.” He took the empty tray out of her hands and tossed it onto the bar, then pulled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry. Here I am standing up for you when, fuck, I hurt you too. I know better. I am going to grovel like you wouldn’t believe—when we’re alone.”
She choked on a little laugh and buried her face in the side of his neck. “I need to apologize too. I’m sorry, Duncan.”
“What are you sorry about?” He stroked her hair, his chest full of relief and love.
“I’m sorry I doubted you. I thought you believed what Mom said.”
“I did,” he admitted. “And that’s what I’m sorry for.”
“Well, this is all very sweet,” a female voice said behind them. “But we’re waiting for drinks over there.”
Duncan lifted his head and saw Lovey smirking at them. “Jesus. Give us a minute, would ya?”
She laughed. “I’m kidding. I gather things are okay?”
Well. That was still up in the air. “Amber, baby? Do you want him to screw off?”
She held on to him tighter and whispered in his ear, “I’m not sure.”
“He’s your dad.”
“Yes.”
“Up to you, sweetheart. Might be good to just talk to him.”
She nodded and he felt her chest expand on a deep breath. Then she lifted her head and looked at her dad. “Okay. Tomorrow. Um, I have classes. Maybe we could have dinner?”
Deke’s face brightened. “Yeah. Sure. Should I pick you up? Or…”
“I’ll meet you. Ah…Dimple’s Diner. Six o’clock.”
“Got it.” Deke gave Duncan a look that might have been grateful. Or maybe threatening. Duncan wasn’t sure. “You’ll join us?”
Hell yeah. But he said, “Up to Amber. We’ll see.”
“Yeah. Okay.” Deke paused. “Thanks.” He looked at Amber. “You’re beautiful, honey. Can’t even tell you how much it means to me to see you again. Good night.”
He turned and walked out. Duncan noticed the brand-new clothes—dark jeans, white sneakers, and a cheap-looking jacket. He turned back to Amber. “Okay, baby?”
She nodded, eyes wet. She touched her two middle fingers to the outer corners of each eye. “I’m good.”
“Who was that?” Lovey’s forehead creased.
“My dad.”
Lovey’s eyes widened. “Oh my God. Oh, Amber. That must have been a shock.”
“No kidding.” Amber gave a watery smile. “First my mom showing up out of the blue, now my dad. All because of that stupid blog post.”
Lovey reached out and rubbed the middle of Amber’s back. “We’re all here for you, hon.”
Amber sniffled again. “Th-thank you.”
Lovey returned to the table and Amber straightened her spine.
“I’m coming home with you tonight.” His lips brushed her ear. “I got a ride here with Duper and Lovey.”
She nodded, and once again relief flowed through his veins like a relaxing drug.
—