Page 114 of I Knead You Tonight

His brows shoot up. “Your business?”

“Yes.”

“For photography?”

“Yes.”

“Oh.”

He stares at me, and it’s unsettling.

It’s the same look Randy gave me when I pulled him aside earlier this week and told him I’d love to shoot him and Blythe.

Granted, his mind didn’t go straight to photography, so he was really confused about why I was threatening him.

But that’s beside the point.

I squirm uneasily in the usually comfortable chair, my dad’s stare burning through me. “Are you going to say anything other thanoh, or is that all you’ve got?”

“Sorry, I’m just surprised is all. You’ve always been so…shy about it.”

“I have not.”

“Yes, you have, which has always seemed silly to me because you’re clearly extremely talented.”

“You have to say crap like that—you’re my dad.”

“I am? Dammit, your mom never said I was Wren’s dadandyours. That’s bullshit.”

“Your jokes are getting worse by the minute.”

He smirks. “All right, fine. I guess what I’m saying is, I’m proud of you. It’s about damn time, kid.”

“Can we not make a big deal about this?”

“Hey, you’re the one who walked in here being all serious and asking me permission like this isn’t your restaurant too.”

“But it’s not.”

“It’s afamilyrestaurant. You’re my family. Therefore, it’syourrestaurant.”

He’s got me there.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were actually coming here to get my approval.”

“Pfft. I don’tneedyour approval.”

“No, but you want it.”

He’s right.“You’re wrong.”

“Uh-huh. Whatever you say, kid. But, in case I wasn’t clear, the answer is yes. You are more than welcome to use the shop.”

“Thanks, Pops. You’re the best dad I’ve ever had.”

“I’m your only dad.”

“As far as you know.” I push up out of the chair. “Well, I’m gonna get going. I have some stuff I gotta take care of before my shift. Oh, I almost forgot—I’ll be late later.”