I watch in fascination as pink tinges Connor’s ears and his eyes narrow on my dad.

Hmmm . . . maybe I do want to know this Connor guy. An enemy of my enemy and all that jazz.

“I wanted to show him around the store. You know, see the space in person and how we’ve set it up.” His gaze sharpens on me and I read the unsaid warning loud and clear. “Before any talks get serious, I thought it was imperative for us all to be on the same page about how we can all benefit. Not only is this property worth quite a bit, I wanted Connor here to see what the Book Nook is and how it could fit within his portfolio.”

“It is a wonderful space.” Connor turns his attention away from my dad and focuses on me. “You’ve both done a wonderful job. I know keeping a small business up and running is no small feat.”

Now, while I was able to read Dad’s warning look, that doesn’t mean I’m going to proceed with caution because, well . . . because screw him.

“Thank you so much.” I keep my tone light, friendly even, as I smile at the look of relief on my dear old dad’s face. “The Book Nook has been a lot of work, and excuse me if this sounds like a silly question, but what has my dad told you about this property? Because I keep hearing him say ‘we’ as if he’s had any part of this store, when that’s not true at all.” I do nothing to beat back my grin when I hear Dad’s enraged hiss of breath. “He’s never helped, and, in fact, after my grandma passed away, she made it very clear that the Book Nook was in no way, in any capacity, my father’s. I’m the full owner and I have no interest in selling or partnering. This store was my gran’s pride and joy and she has entrusted me to keep the vision she had for it up and running. Unfortunately for whatever Andrew told you, this does not include you, no matter how kind you seem to be.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Drew!” Dad snaps, dropping the father-of-the-year facade for Connor. “Her will was a crock of shit. She was starting to lose it months before it was signed and there’s no way it will hold up in court. If you would stop trying to ice me out for some make-believe vendetta you and your mom have against me, you’d see this is best for everyone.”