Must Be Magic (Spellbound) by Sydney Somers

taken aback, then his eyes narrowed, and she knew.
    Oh god, she knew.
    “If you even think about pulling another stunt like that,” his father growled, but she didn’t hear whatever came after that.
    Her mind spun and the world grayed at the edges.
    She’d been so frustrated Bryce had never returned her calls, but when he still didn’t attempt to contact her after she’d spoken to his father, she’d been so hurt and scared. She’d spent almost a decade hating him for it. Hating him for lying to her about who he was and then for leaving her to go through her brief pregnancy and miscarriage alone.
    And he hadn’t known about any of it.

Chapter Five
    “You need to find Darby.”
    Bryce went still at the concern in Alex’s voice. “What’s wrong?”
    Alex swore under his breath and pressed the heel of his hand to his eye. “Now. You need to find her now.” His lips pressed together in a firm line.
    Knowing Alex wouldn’t sound worried without a damn good reason, Bryce nodded and scanned the room for her. Whatever Darby was feeling, it had to be pretty damn intense to blindside Alex.
    All the so-called bachelors were gathered in the middle of the dance floor, leaving everyone else scattered around the edges. When Bryce didn’t spot her, he turned toward the door, thinking maybe she was still outside.
    Not until he reached the threshold did he remember his father had been outside too. Considering his father’s mood before Darby had interrupted them, Bryce wouldn’t put it past his father to say something scathing to the nearest Calder.
    Hoping he was wrong, he squeezed past two women on their way back inside. He saw Darby and his father immediately. Whatever his father was saying had leached the color from Darby’s face.
    Shit.
    “Dad?” It was less of a question and more of a warning to back off. He switched his attention to Darby. “What’s wrong?”
    She shook her head. “Nothing. I have to go.” She brushed past him, dropping her flowers at his feet in the process. She either didn’t notice or didn’t want to take the time to retrieve them.
    He shot his father an accusing look. “What did you say to her?” Not even when he and Darby had been at their worst, which was right after he’d gone to work for the DA’s office, had he ever seen her so rattled.
    Thomas Lancaster flicked at something on his shirt. “We were just reminiscing about the past.”
    “Why did she look so upset?”
    His father’s eyes narrowed. “No doubt she’s counting on you to follow her and ask her that yourself.”
    “Darby’s not like that. She doesn’t play those kinds of games.” Maybe he’d believed that once, had been convinced she was out to screw with his head by calling him nonstop after he’d walked away.
    But the look on her face just now had been anything but forced.
    “Every woman plays games. Don’t let yourself be manipulated by her a second time.”
    Frustration flared inside him. “What happened between Darby and me was over a long time ago.”
    “Just be sure it stays that way.”
    Bryce slammed his hand down on the rail. “Do not tell me how to live my life.” After their earlier argument, he wasn’t interested in hearing any more about how he’d screwed up by quitting his job, let alone what women he should or shouldn’t be involved with.
    His father flinched, then nodded stiffly. “After what we went through with your brother and seeing how close you came…” His voice cracked. “I only want what’s best for you. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.” Without another word, he disappeared inside.
    Thomas Lancaster so rarely betrayed his emotions—especially when his feelings were hurt—that Bryce actually felt guilty.
    Damn it.
    He bent and picked up the flowers, then walked around the side of the building to look for Darby. He could deal with his father later, preferably when he wasn’t still frustrated over his father’s lack of faith when it came to Bryce’s career