"I do," he replies, taking my hand and leading me to the seating area.
I sit beside him and look into his deep blue eyes. He’s so handsome. So perfect.
"Does your daughter answer to you?"
The question seems to catch him off guard, but he doesn’t flinch. "Meghan?" he asks, his gaze steady. "Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind, honey?"
I tell him everything—Elle’s history with Meghan from ten years ago, all the way to five weeks ago when Hannah came home and let Cal know that Meghan had hired a live-in nanny.
"So you think Meghan’s going to seek full custody in revenge for Cal’s relationship with Dani? he says, drawing his own conclusions from the details I’ve shared. "Sorry, I meant to say Elle."
I smile and nod. "Meghan hasn’t made a move," I say, the weight of the situation pressing on me. "In fact, the only thing that’s changed is her behavior. She’s been more present in Hannah’s life. She shows up when she says she will. She’s spending time with her without Cal having to beg."
"She’s putting all her ducks in a row," he offers, his tone thoughtful. "Building a history of a relationship with Hannah so when the time comes, she can claim she’s a good mother."
"That’s what we’re afraid of," I admit, the fear lingering in my chest.
"Does Cal know you’re here?" His gaze doesn’t waver. "Does he know you’re talking to me about all this?"
"No," I say, looking away. "I debated long and hard whether to tell you at all. But I’ve spent enough time with you to know you care about Hannah’s well-being, even if you don’t see her."
"I feel like I’m a stranger to her," he confesses, his voice quiet. "If I try to be part of her life now, it might be hard for her to accept me as a grandparent."
"Hannah has so much love to give," I begin, my heart full. "I have no doubt there’s plenty of it stored just for you."
He chuckles softly, and for the first time, it’s him who looks away. "I was so focused on building this company that I neglected my duty as a father. By the time I realized it, it was too late."
"It’s never too late to admit you made a mistake," I say. "And it’s never too late to show someone you love them."
He meets my gaze, the weight of my words hanging between us. "In answer to your question, Meghan is an adult now, and she no longer answers to me."
"So you can’t help?" I ask, a sense of guilt creeping in as I realize I might have betrayed my friends in vain. Meghan is her own person now. She doesn’t have to answer to anyone.
"I didn’t say that," he replies, pressing his lips together before standing and walking toward the window. I hear him inhale deeply, his thoughts clearly at war with each other. When he turns back to face me, I meet his gaze, silently hoping he might be able to stop whatever Meghan is planning.
"I'll take care of this," he says, his voice firm. "She won't be an issue going forward. I promise." The finality in his tone makes me believe every word.
He walks back to me and offers his hand. I stand, meeting his gaze.
"Now that that’s out of the way," he begins, a grin spreading across his lips, "I’ve decided to sell half of my company and spend the next year or two traveling the world. What would you say if I asked you to come with me?"
The air in the room feels like it’s been sucked out, and time seems to stand still as he reaches into the pocket of his blazer and pulls out a small velvet box.
Chapter 35
Vincent
"Vincent," Claire says, cracking the door to my office open. "Meghan is here."
"Send her in," I reply, steeling myself for what could very well be the toughest conversation I've had with her.
"Don't forget, your meeting’s at two," Claire reminds me before gently closing the door.
I lean back in my chair and take a breath, trying to calm the tension gnawing at me. I remember the day Meghan told me she was marrying Cal, a cop she met at the group home.
“Are you sure you’re ready to be a wife?” I had asked, choosing my words carefully. “You’re a very independent young woman, used to marching to the beat of your own drum.”
“Is that your way of saying I’m stubborn and always get what I want?” she had replied, her tone sharp. “Or are yousaying it would be a challenge for anyone to be married to me?”
