“That’s okay. I’ll try his office. Thanks.” I press my lips together in the semblance of what I hope looks like a smile, waving at him as I head directly for the stairs.
As I navigate the winding corridors past rooms occupied by back-office staff on phone calls that look intense even through glass walls, the energy around the place is palpable and prickly, lots of fingers raking through mussed hair, heaving sighs, and clenched jaws.
My father’s office door is closed, but I can see through the frosted glass that the light is on. I knock, receiving an unexpected “Fuck off!” in return. So I knock again and add in a sing-song tone, “That’s really no way to speak to your one and only daughter…”
Seconds later, the door is swinging open with haste, but instead of my dad like I expect, it’s Happy, his face fraught as he looks me up and down.
My eyes widen when I see that inside the office is not only my father, but also Bob Oakley, the owner of the team, and the president, George Sampson, and a woman I’m pretty sure is the team lawyer. Wow.
I glance at my dad, and my heart sinks when he quickly looks away as if he’s avoiding me, almost as if he can’t bear to look at me. He knows. Fuck. My stomach roils.
My biggest fear of people finding out about me and Chris was not only his poor pregnant wife discovering that her husband is a cheating asshole, but it was also the risk of my father finding out. The last thing I’ve ever wanted in my life is to disappoint him. I can only imagine what he must be thinking of me right now.
“Happy, I think we’ve gotten all we need from you. You can take off if you’d like,” George says, glancing at the woman who nods as if to answer his unspoken question. He offers me a kind smile. “Hi, Hannah.”
I wave like I’m on autopilot because what the hell is going on, and why won’t my father look at me?
“Come on, baby,” Happy says under his breath, taking my hand and escorting me back out of the office and into the corridor.
“Hold up.”
I freeze at the sound of my father’s low voice, looking over my shoulder to see him push up from his chair and head my way, his eyes still avoiding mine as he walks out of his office, closing the door behind him.
Glancing from my dad to Happy and back again, frustration bubbles in my chest when he keeps his gaze fixed on the floor, rubbing his chin contemplatively, a furrow etched between his brows. Because no matter what, I’m still his daughter. He shouldlove me unconditionally and always be able to look me in my eyes.
“Dad?” I press, my throat tight with trepidation.Please don’t fail me now.
Finally, he lifts his gaze, and instead of the judgement and the disappointment I was expecting to see, there’s nothing but sadness, and maybe even a little guilt.
“I’m sorry, I—” He stops himself, voice gruff and thick with emotion. Dragging a hand down his face, he tries again, “I-I don’t know what to say, but I love you, Han. And… God, I’m so damn sorry for what that bastard did to you. I—” Snapping his mouth shut, he exhales heavily through his nose.
My shoulders sag with the weight of relief, and a thick swallow works its way down my throat, tears stinging my eyes. I nod, unable to say anything.
Dad pulls me in for a hug that’s almost bone-crushing and full of nothing but love, and as I hug him back, I squeeze my eyes closed, reveling in his hold, a pesky tear sliding down my cheek and seeping into his black New York Thunder polo.
“You go with Happy,” Dad says softly, pulling back. He holds me at arm’s length, getting a good look at me, his gaze flitting to where Happy stands behind me with a protective hand resting on my hip.
Dad presses his lips together in a tight smile and nods once as he adds, “You found a good one, baby girl.”
My smile is watery as I glance back at Happy to see him wink at me. And, turning back to my dad, I wrap my arms around him, needing one more hug.
“I love you,” I whisper to my father before pulling away.
He nods curtly, stepping back, and Happy takes my hand in his, and we walk down the corridor together. And, with one last look back at my father, I find him watching us leave, the hint of a proud smile ghosting his lips.
I haven’t said a word as we navigate the facility, making our way down to the garage, but the second we get into Happy’s truck, he’s on me, his hand cupping my cheek, holding me right where I am as he kisses me like he needs my lips to survive. And for a moment, I get lost in the kiss, moaning when his tongue licks into my mouth, savoring every part of me. My fingers weave into the lengths of his hair, tugging gently and eliciting the slightest rumble of a groan that causes my pussy to thrum. But then I remember exactly where we are, and why I’m here, and I pry my lips from his, pulling away, gaping at him incredulously while I try to catch a breath.
“Happy,” I manage through a huff. “W-what the fuck?”
He blinks at me, clearly confused by my question.
“What the hell happened today?” I press.
Happy shifts in his seat, and I glance down, trying not to notice the tent that’s formed in his athletic shorts, crossing one leg over the other in a sad attempt to try and quell my own ache. He sits back, pushing his hair away from his face, and with a slow exhale, he looks at me, offering me a small smile. “Do you remember Chris’s last assistant, Lena?”
I rack my brain. “The name rings a bell, but I don’t think I ever met her.”
Happy presses his lips together in a slightly rueful smile. “Well, she and I… we kind of?—”
