Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“Good. That is how it should be. But Luc, I want to work this out. I mean, I don’t know what kind of relationship we could have, but I would at least like to think we could be in the same room and not feel the hatred rolling off her. I would like her to know her siblings. Like her, they are innocent bystanders in all this.”
“Reed told me Heather and Grace got into a heated argument.”
“Heather stuck up for Ashley and me, and Gracie wasn’t pleased. But they made up. Gracie and I are back on track. I would like to try to extend an olive branch to Ashley, so if she decides she wants to get to know me, us, then she is welcome.” I scrubbed my face. “I just don’t know how.”
He was silent for a minute. “She’s at work today. She just had a huge event she ran that went over really well. She probably deserves to be rewarded. I plan on taking her to dinner.”
“Maybe some flowers to say congrats would be in order?”
He lifted one shoulder. “If they were pink roses, which are her favorite, she would probably be quite pleased.”
“Right.”
“If they were accompanied by a double-shot latte, she might even smile.” Then he held up his hands. “Just musing out loud.”
I stood and shook his hand. “I hear you.”
I turned to leave, and he called my name. “Richard.”
I paused at the door. “Sometimes Ashley has trouble accepting happiness because she fears if she does, it will hurt that much more when it’s taken away.”
“I’m not going to hurt her. And now that I know about her, I’m not walking away.”
“Good. Because as much as I care for you and respect you, I won’t hesitate to put you in your place.”
“Got it. I’m glad she has you, Luc. She deserves that sort of love.” Then I smiled. “And just so you know…I’m watching you too. Father’s prerogative—even newly found ones. It’s inherent in our genes.”
He was smiling when I left.
ASHLEY
To say I was surprised to see Richard at my office door, unannounced and bearing flowers, would be the understatement of the month.
I glanced up at the sound of the knock and stared in shock. First at the pretty bouquet of pink roses in one hand, a carry-out cup of coffee in the other, then at the man holding them.
“Richard,” I said, uncertain. “What are you doing here?”
He stepped in, offering me the flowers. “I, ah, came to see you. I wanted to know how you were.”
“And the flowers?”
He looked uncomfortable for a moment, then squared his shoulders. “I went to see Luc first. He mentioned you had just had a very successful event. I wanted to say congratulations.”
“I assume he told you my favorite flowers as well.”
He set down the cup. “And your favorite coffee.”
He sat down, uninvited. “He didn’t give up either piece of information easily. He told me he was going to tell you I had been there, so I thought I’d let you take your anger out on me first.”
I looked at the pretty flowers, unsure how to feel. It was a lovely gesture. Thoughtful.
I remembered Luc’s words. “Just don’t shut the door completely.” Richard was here, holding out an olive branch. He looked as nervous as I felt, and I knew I had two choices. Hand him back the flowers and coffee and tell him to leave—or accept them and have a conversation.
Having a conversation wouldn’t be a betrayal to my mother. There must have been something about him she liked and trusted, something that appealed to her. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here today. I wouldn’t be here.
“I’m not angry.”
He smiled—the first real smile he’d offered me since we were first introduced. It changed his stern expression into one of warmth and affection.
“Great,” he replied. “That’s good.”
He pushed the cup toward me. “Double-shot,” he bribed.
“You didn’t get one?”
He smiled again, his tone teasing. “I thought one was dangerous enough. I wasn’t sure if you would throw it in my face or not for coming here.”
I took the cup, opening the lid and inhaling the rich scent. “I would never do that.”
He nodded, watching me take a sip.
“I would never waste good coffee,” I added. “I would throw my water at you.”
For a moment, he blinked, then he laughed, the sound loud and unexpected in my office.
“Good to know.”
He sat back, crossing his legs. “Luc tells me you just handled a major corporate event. Will you tell me?”
The next fifteen minutes were surreal. I sat in my office, with my father, telling him about the event. Describing the details and the planning. He listened, often asking questions, tilting his head to the side as he concentrated on what I was saying. It took me a few moments to realize I did the same thing when he spoke. It was an odd sensation.