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“I appreciate you saying that. I feel like it’s been hard for me to be in the present and live in the moment. I’m always thinking about the future and what it takes to become like the man standing in front of me.”
“Okay, now you’re just kissing my ass.”
I hid back a smile. “The truth is all I’ve ever wanted is to shake your hand and know we’re on an even playing field. It’s always been hard for me to be present until Capri came back into my life. All I’ve been doing is moving from day to day and trying to keep my head above water with all these balls in the air.”
“Yeah, well, you deserve it.”
I looked into his eyes. “I’ve always admired the man that you are. Always strived to be like you. I can’t tell you how relieved I am to know you don’t hold any ill feelings.”
“My intention isn’t to make you feel one way or another, Elias. I don’t have to tell you anything that I know you’re not already going through. You’ve always been like another son to us, and I’ve always respected your work ethic. And I know more than anything you’ve always adored my daughter.”
“I don’t know what you’ve been told about our current situation, but I very much want to make it real. I want to marry your daughter and have her be the mother of my children. It’s what I’ve always wanted.”
He eyed me up and down. “Is this your way of asking for my approval?”
“Yes, sir, it is.”
“All I want is for Capri to be happy, and if becoming your wife makes her happy, then I couldn’t be more on board.”
“Thank you, I needed to hear that. I’m grateful for everything you guys did for me back then. I know you would have helped me if I had asked.”
He extended his hand to shake mine, speaking with conviction…
“And I respect the hell out of you for never asking.”
CAPRI
I walked out onto the rooftop bar and found Elias there with my dad. My heart hammered in my chest as I made my way over to them. Elias excused himself, having to take a call.
I didn’t waver in apologizing. “I’m so sorry, Daddy. I feel horrible about what you’ve been going through with the press following us endlessly.”
“It’s not the press I’m concerned about.”
“I know. I can only imagine what you’ve been going through.”
“Does he make you happy?”
I narrowed my eyes. “What do you think?”
“Baby girl, I don’t think. I know, but I want to hear it from your mouth now.”
Curious, I questioned, “What do you know?”
“I recognize the look in your eyes. It’s the same one your mother has always had for me.”
I could feel the tears begin to pool in my gaze. We didn’t ever speak like this.
“My baby girl’s in love again.”
“Dad, I’m sorry I lied to you about taking him on as a client, and I’m really sorry that I’ve been lying to the world about our engagement when I don’t know what we are right now.”
“Are you being safe?”
We locked stares.
“This isn’t an easy conversation for me to have with you, Capri. You’re my baby girl. You’ll always be my baby girl. I’m asking if you’re being safe on all accounts?”
I knew what he implied. “Of course.”
