I take her hand. “I like that idea.” Us being together is the goal.
“I’m not dismissing your concerns, though I think they belong in the past. But when we agreed to a fling, I wanted to keep things a secret because I was afraid it would look unprofessional to be with someone I’m working with.”
“I remember.” I also recall not liking it, but I’m not going to mention that now.
She raises her shoulders in a shrug. “I was wrong. I was so hung up on what happened to me in the past with Gregory Attwater and my career that I restricted myself and tried to make everything perfect.”
“Oh yeah?” I ask her.
She rises and walks around the table, coming up beside me and sitting on my lap. “Yeah. It’s being with you that’s perfect,” she murmurs.
“I couldn’t agree more,” I say, as she seals her lips to mine.
I respond, loving the taste and feel of her, but my mind isn’t on the kiss. As optimistic as she seems, I’m more concerned about what her family will say. Because I won’t be satisfied until I have her brother’s one free shot at hitting me behind us, and her father’s blessing.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Rainey
Iwake upthe next morning after a fitful night’s sleep. Once I finished with the goodie bags, Lucas followed me to my apartment to make sure I arrived safely before he headed back home. He’s such a gentleman but so hung up on the mistakes of his past, he doesn’t see himself the way the rest of the world does. But I’m determined to show him he’s wrong. Especially about my father. I don’t miss the irony, though. While I’m worried about Jack’s reaction, he’s concerned about my dad’s.
Though I have calls to make to assure myself all the vendors will show up for the anniversary party, I need to take care of something for Lucas first. I call ahead to see where I can find my father. He isn’t going into the office today, so here I am on my parents’ front porch.
I ring the bell and Dad answers the door. Instead of his usual suit and tie, he’s in a pair of khakis and a short-sleeved polo shirt. “Hi, princess. Come in.”
I step into the house and he shuts the door behind me, then gives me a hug. “Come into the kitchen. Mom’s out doing some grocery shopping. You know how she loves to do normal chores.”
I laugh. “Yes, Mom doesn’t let you spoil her in basic ways.”
While Dad can afford a chef and a housekeeper, Mom insists on doing most of those things herself. She didn’t grow up wealthy like he did and she wanted us kids to know how to care for ourselves. What we decide to do as adults is up to us. I’m more like Mom. I cook, clean—though I have a cleaning crew come in often—and grocery shop. I’m determined to be a capablegrown-up. Of course, Dad spoils her in other ways. A private jet, an island retreat, and more jewelry than she wants or can wear.
He’s set the standard by which I judge men, and it just so happens Lucas meets that high standard, which is why I’m here.
“Coffee?” he asks.
I nod. “I’ll take care of it.”
I walk over to the Nespresso machine and make us each a steaming cup of coffee. From the fridge, I take out the vanilla almond creamer for me and the plain one for Dad.
Once we’re set, I sit beside him on a high barstool around the center island.
“What’s up, kiddo?”
I’m transported back to when I was a kid with the nickname that preceded princess. I take a sip of hot coffee and try to convince myself I feel the jolt of caffeine flowing through my veins. In reality, I’m sure it takes much longer than that.
I clear my throat and meet his gaze. “I’m seeing Lucas Carras and before you say anything, I need you to hear me out. He thinks you still have issues with him because of his childhood and the trouble he got into. And if you do, you’re wrong. He’s a good man. He’s been there for me through everything going on with the party issues. He makes sure I get home safely. He hears me. Like, really listens to what I have to say and doesn’t forget. When Adam got nasty with me, Lucas stepped up. He threatened him and protected me. All his issues are in the past and—”
“You love him.”
I stare at my father, wide-eyed. “I do,” I whisper.
“Can I speak now?” he asks with a grin.
I nod. “Sorry for the rambling. Go ahead.”
He lifts his coffee mug and takes a drink before putting it down and meeting my gaze. “I know about you and Lucas. Hudson called.”
I roll my eyes. “Of course he did.”
