I whip my head in his direction. “Why would you bring it home?”
“Because I’m going to be retiring soon,” Dad says, his eyes twinkling.
“In…” I glance at the calendar on the wall, a reminder that my father never fully adjusted to the digital age. “In about ten months. Declan and I still have a way to go before we satisfy the contract.”
“Take a seat, and let’s talk.”
“O…kay.”
Dad heads for his couch, and I sit on the other end. I assume this is about to be a business chat.
Instead, he says, “Mia, I’ve observed you these last couple of months. And you know what I’ve noticed?”
No clue. But I have a feeling he’s about to tell me.
“I’ve noticed that you’ve worked as hard at your marriage as you always have at your job.”
I start to protest, but then I realize he’s right. I have put a lot of energy into my marriage. And the thing is, I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed having a life outside of work. For the first time since Mom died, I’m not living just for the company. And that feels good.
“Even during the interview,” Dad continues with his gaze focused on me. “What stood out to me the most wasn’t how skillfully you talked about our company or how well-spoken you were, as always. What caught my attention was how happy you were to talk about the foundation you want to start—with your husband.”
“Dad.” I feel myself blushing again. “You know how strongly I feel about the foundation and how long I’ve wanted to do something like this.”
“Yes. But what I also know is that today was the first time I saw you excited about having a partnership in business. With Declan. It made me sure.”
“Sure of what?”
“That my eyes haven’t been deceiving me. The way you looked at Declan on your wedding day. The way he looked at you. What you two have is special, Mia. And itisreal.”
I think I might cry now. My dad is pointing out the exact thing I’ve been trying to deny.
What he says next shocks me.
“I’m tearing up the contract,” he says. “And we’ll sign a new one. One without the stipulation that you be married for a year. That part I’m going to void.”
I stare at him. “What?”
Before I can react more, he pulls the contract out of his drawer and physically tears it in half.
“Dad!” I reach for him, but he holds it away from me.
“This is symbolic,” he says. “I still have a digital copy. And so does Uncle Ned.”
“Then what are you doing?”
“I’m apologizing.” He sighs. “Mia, I want you to follow your heart. I don’t want you to feel forced into marriage. But I do want you to continue to have a life outside of the company the way you have the last couple of months. I’ve never seen you happier. I mean that.”
“I am happy,” I admit. “I didn’t realize how empty my life was until I filled it up. I still love my job and this company, and I still want to run it. But it’s been nice to have other things to look forward to.”
Dad puts his arms around me in a tight hug. “I miss her, too,” he says. “You and I…we kind of lost our way when your mom died. I was a terrible example of getting stuck. I don’t want that for you, honey. Your mother wouldn’t have wanted it for you, either. And I know she would approve of changing things up. I felt guilty going against her wishes, but I’m pretty sure she’s gotten her wish after all. To see her daughter happy and healed.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
It’s not until I’m driving home that the reality fully sinks in.
Declan and I don’t need to stay married anymore, at least on my end.
On his end, though, he still needs this. He hasn’t been offered the ownership stake yet. Hell, he hasn’t even retired yet because his season’s still in full swing.
