"That's bullshit. Your trade was all over the news a few years ago."
That was true. And anyone who followed hockey would have known that. "She doesn't follow hockey."
"Sure she does. She said she loves hockey. Obviously she knows how much money you make now and she's trying to get back with you."
Tanner glared at his father. "That's bullshit. And speaking of money and women … hopefully you're having a pre-nup drawn up before you marry Helen?"
Dad frowned. "Of course. Though I don't know what you're worried about. My business is worth some money, but not as much as you make. You don't need to worry about an inheritance."
"I'm not worried. I assumed your ex-wives would get everything. Just looking out for you, Dad, making sure there's enough to look after you in your old age."
Dad's eyes narrowed. "Well, at least they all signed the pre-nup. They were more interested in me than my money. Don't know if that's the same for you, after what happened with your marriage."
Tanner tried to relax his rigid muscles. Dad had no idea what he was talking about. Okay, yes, Presley'd been after his money, but there was no way Katelyn was a gold digger. Possibly every other woman he'd hooked up with since Presley had been interested in money too, but they'd also been interested in fun, and the difference was, he hadn't cared about them.
Finally the dinner ordeal was over. Dad wanted to linger over snifters of brandy, but Tanner was driving so he and Katelyn declined the drinks and made their getaway.
As they were walking through the lounge, someone on their left said, "Katelyn."
She paused and turned. "Ethan!"
Tanner frowned as a tall, good-looking dude in an expensive suit slid off a stool and Katelyn moved into his arms for a hug.
"Good to see you," the guy said, staring into her eyes, smiling warmly.
What the fuck?
"You too! How are you? Did you get that big contract with the government?"
"Yeah." Dude's eyes crinkled up. "I did."
"Congratulations!"
"Thanks. How's your business going?"
"Not bad. Things have been picking up lately. Oh, I should introduce you. Tanner, this is Ethan Colburn. Tanner Bennet."
Christ. Tanner actually recognized this guy. He was some hotshot tech guy who'd founded a security company that was now worth millions of dollars.
"Hey." Ethan shook his hand, eyeing him also with recognition, then glancing between him and Katelyn. "I'm a fan of yours."
Tanner forced a smile. "Thanks. Were you at the game tonight?"
"No. Actually, I just flew back from a business trip to London. Oh, hey, sorry. These are my friends, Nolan and Rhys. You guys remember Katelyn."
She smiled and lifted a hand in greeting to the other men at the high table as Tanner shook hands with them too. "Well," she said. "We should be going. Good to see you again."
They walked out onto the sidewalk. "How do you know him?" Tanner asked, frowning.
"He's my ex." She paused. "We were engaged."
"Christ. The businessman?"
"Yes."
"When did you break up with him?"
"Just before Christmas."
Fuck. That wasn't long ago. "He looks like he's still in love with you."
"Oh, I don't think so."
"I do. He was eye-fucking you and he wasn't happy that we were together."
"Don't be silly."
He scowled. "Why'd you break up with him?" The guy was rich as fuck, well spoken, dressed in expensive clothes. Sophisticated. That was the word. He'd just flown in from London. He was probably drinking a martini-shaken, not stirred. Why would she dump a guy like that?
"I didn't love him."
He fell silent as they walked along the sidewalk.
"Your dad's a character." Katelyn slid her arm through his as they walked to his car.
"Thank you for being so nice to him. You don't have to be."
"I'm nice to everyone."
She really was.
As they drove to his place, he hated the misgivings that had crept into his head. The rumors and the lack of a contract were already taking their toll on his confidence, and now his dad and his unique way of making him feel lower than a gopher hole added to it. Implying Katelyn was after his money was bullshit, except it did remind him that Presley had been. And then meeting the jackwagon Katelyn had been engaged to … fuck.