“Thanks. It’s still kind of new,” she says, holding her left hand out to admire her ring. “I mean—he’s not new, but the engagement is new-ish. Six months. We’re hoping to get married at Christmas.”
I look at her—so full of hope and excitement for the future—and I’m struck by how happy I am for her. How hopeful and excitedIam. How nice it is not to begrudge someone else their joy, though I’m ashamed to think of the months I spent wallowing and doing just that.
“I’m really happy for you, Zoey.”
“Happy enough to make cupcakes for the big day?” She turns her laptop around and closes it. “Dad said you’re the best.” She nods at the tray of treats. “And I agree.”
My cheeks heat. Just how much has Miles told his daughters about me? He’s told me almost nothing about them.
“I would be honored,” I say.
She nods. “I’ll talk to Kevin about website ideas once we have a direction, and we’ll be good to go.”
“I can’t believe you’re doing this for me,” I say. “You have to let me pay you.”
“Dad’s paying me.” She grins. “And there’sno wayhe’ll let you pay him.”
I laugh. “Well, the cupcakes will definitely be free.”
“No they won’t.” She raises a brow. “You’ve met my dad, right?”
Lucky for me, I have.
“This is how he is. Mr. Nice Guy.” She sighs. “Too nice if you ask me. He makes business decisions like that too. His big heart is always messing with his bottom line. That’s why my mom walked all over him.”
The comment catches me off guard.
She rolls her eyes, and I get the impression she thinks I already know this story.
“Sorry.” She shakes her head like she’s shaking away an unwanted memory. “I promised him I wouldn’t go there.” Her phone buzzes on the table. “Oh, shoot. I’m going to be late.” She looks at me. “Wait. Do you want to go out tonight?”
I frown. “With you?”
She laughs. “With a bunch of us.”
That... actually sounds fun.
“Dad will be there,” she says. “And you can meet Ava. And Kevin.”
“Is it, like, a family thing?”
“A work thing,” she says. “Trivia night.”
“Trivia night,” I repeat.
She nods. “Once a month, my dad takes the entire staff out somewhere fun. He says it’s good for morale.”
“I bet it is.” I think about John and how he treated his employees. It was the opposite of fun. It was never about the person as a whole, only about what they could do for the company.
“You should come.” She stands.
“I don’t want to intrude.” I stand and start for the door.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she says. “Everyone would love to meet you!”
At that, I frown. How doeseveryoneeven know who I am?
“You can ride with me,” she says. “We’re all meeting in half an hour.”
