“It’s an all vegan restaurant.” She glances back at my dad. “The food is the best. Jake Matthews, the owner, is the nicest guy, and he’s—”

My brow furrows. “I don’t know if I’d agree with that assessment.”

“Oh, Avery, he’s incredible.” She winks. “And single.”

He was a dick to me. Of course he’s single.

“Then you should date him.” I shoot them a toothy grin.

Dad frowns. “Avery …”

“I’m joking.” I stand, taking a sip of the lemonade.

Deedy bites back her smile. I give her a little credit for not being offended. The look she shoots me says she knows my game. I know hers too—make the adult daughter look like a selfish, spoiled brat. Make the old man choose between the needy child and the best blowjob he’s ever had.

Dammit! Stupid mind.

My phone chimes. I dig it out of my Hermes bag. “Avery Montgomery.”

“This is Trace from Wellman’s garage. We’ve inspected your vehicle and found two major problems and several minor ones.”

“Okay, how much will it cost to get it road-ready again?”

“Fifty-five hundred.”

“What the fu—” I grimace as my dad gives me a disapproving look. “Fudge stripes are you talking about? I don’t think the whole vehicle is worth that much.”

“I’m afraid I have to agree with you there. It has over 200,000 miles on it, and from what we can see, it doesn’t look like you’ve had regular maintenance on it.”

After setting my glass on the railing, I rub my temples, taking a deep breath. “Thanks. Bye.”

“Wait, ma’am, what do you want to do?”

“Nothing. Just keep it.”

“Wait—”

I press end. “My Honda is dead. I need a car.”

“Avery, you can borrow mine.” Deedy gives me a sympathy frown that matches the one my dad’s wearing.

I shake my head. “No. I don’t need to borrow a car. I need a new one, but I don’t have a job.” I hold up my injured hand. “Or a way to make money.”

Or a sugar daddy.

“Since I can’t afford one at the moment, I’m going to have to just take a rental car back to L.A. and figure things out from there.”

“Avery, I don’t want you driving all the way back there by yourself. I’m not at all happy that you drove to Illinois without someone with you. It’s not safe for you to travel alone.”

I nod toward my nemesis. “I have Swarley.”

“An old dog. Not good enough. Maybe we should drive you home.”

“No!”

Even Swarley jumps to attention at my adamant refusal to drive all the way to Los Angeles with my father and the Deedy.