Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
But right now, my mind needs to be clear because I’m on my way to meet my dad for breakfast. I haven’t seen him in six years—since my mom’s funeral—and my feelings are all over the place.
I pull up to the restaurant we agreed to meet at and get out, handing the valet my keys. Ian got me a beautiful Mercedes crossover. He asked what kind of vehicle I wanted, and since I’ve barely driven since moving to London, I told him something safe, but not too big. He did good—that’s for sure.
When I get to the hostess stand and give her my dad’s name since he made the reservations, I’m taken back to a small, private room, where I find my dad waiting for me.
When our matching hazel eyes meet, I stop in my spot and suck in a harsh breath, seeing how much he’s aged since the last time I saw him. His once-salt-and-pepper hair is now mostly all salt with only a little pepper. And the lines around his eyes have increased. He’s lost a bit of weight, but he still looks like the man I remember. The man I looked up to and wanted to be just like.
His eyes turn glassy with emotion, and every negative feeling I had toward him is washed away with the tears that are sliding down his cheeks. Suddenly, the anger I felt just doesn’t fucking matter. Nothing but being here with him does.
“Anastasia,” he chokes out, standing and making his way toward me.
“Daddy.”
He wraps his arms around me in the most comforting hug, and I inhale his signature scent. It’s been six years since I’ve felt my dad’s arms around me, since I smelled his signature scent—spicy, mixed with a hint of the cigars he’s been smoking since before I was born—and I find myself getting choked up.
“I’m so sorry it took me so long to see you,” I cry into his chest, hating that I went this long without seeing him.
He’s the only parent I have left. I shouldn’t have spent the last several years holding a grudge against him when I could have been enjoying his company. God, I was so stupid. What if something had happened to him while I was thousands of miles away, being stubborn?
“No, no apologies, my sweet girl,” he coos, rubbing my back. “I’m just so happy you’re here now.” He backs up slightly, and his eyes home in on my red lips. He smiles softly, most likely remembering how much my mom loved her red lipstick. “You look so beautiful and so much like your mom.”
“Thank you.”
We sit at the table, and the waiter pours us each a glass of water, then Dad orders us a bottle of wine to share. When I lift my glass to take a sip of water, he eyes my engagement ring and smiles.
“Tell me about this man who stole your heart.”
I swallow thickly, suddenly wishing that I hadn’t lied to him, but it’s too late now. I already agreed to be Ian’s fake fiancée, and I can’t go back on my word because of my guilt.
“Well, as I told you, his name is Ian, and he’s in the business world, like us.” Since I don’t know where he works, I leave it at that. “He’s sweet and romantic, and we have a good time together.” All true statements.
“I want to meet him. And I can’t wait for you to meet Selene.”
“I’d like that. I just need to check with him because he’s busy with work.” And I haven’t told him that my family is here and that I’m using him the same way he’s using me.
“He should be putting you first.” He frowns.
“Dad,” I sigh. “You of all people should know what it’s like.”
“I do,” he says with a shake of his head. “And look where it got me. I lost my wife and daughter. If this man is smart, he won’t make the same mistakes I made. No job should ever be more important than family.”
“I know,” I agree.
“Speaking of jobs,” he says, “what are you doing for work now that you’re back?”
“I’m not sure yet,” I say because I wasn’t planning to ask him to let me come to work for him yet. I want today to be about us. And I figure, over the next couple of weeks, I’ll put out feelers and see where he stands. “I’m just taking things one day at a time.”
Dad nods thoughtfully.
The waiter delivers the wine and pours us each a glass. We both approve, so he takes our order and then retreats.
“I’ve been thinking,” Dad says once we’re alone again. “How would you feel about coming to work for me? My marketing team has a spot available.”
“I thought you said you didn’t want to mix business with family.”