Chapter 144

“Papa.” She turned to face Luca when she heard his voice. She had expected to see Luca with his father, sort of bracing herself to meet the man who hadn’t wanted her in his son’s life. What she hadn’t expected…was that he’d be alone and staring directly at the man beside her. The man with the cane. The man she’d just spent the last few minutes chatting with. Her breath caught as realization finally settled in. “Oh, you’re Luca’s father.” Nick arched one amused brow at her. “You didn’t know? Does my son not take after his old man?” Sutton’s face flushed. “No. I didn’t know.” She turned fully toward him now, awkwardly rising from the bench. “I… I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—” Nick waved a hand easily, still seated. “Don’t be silly. You were kind, and you should never be embarrassed about being kind.” He reached for his cane and used it to leverage himself upright. Luca stepped forward quickly, automatically steadying him with a light touch, one hand on his father’s elbow. Nick shook his