Daddy’s lips curled. “He hasn’t told you he loves you?” He sounded amused. “Trust me, that male loves you, and I hope to Christ you love him, because that’ll solve a whole heap of ass pain.”
My brows had risen to hear him speak so crudely. “What?”
“Do you love Kardok, Pumpkin?”
“I—yes, of course I do.” I shook my head. “What are you talking about?”
His grin growing, Daddy pulled his hands from mine and gently turned me to the desk. He flipped the leather folioclosed, and I saw it was embossed withFairbanks Enterprises Real Estate Divisionbefore he scooped it up and offered it to me.
Frowning, I glanced from the seal to his smile, and back again.
This felt…important.
“Daddy?” I whispered.
“I had the legal department go through the OHL rules, and they said that they’re pretty firm. I can’t rent rink time to the Terrors if my daughter is dating one of their players.”
A lump grew in my throat to match all the knots in my stomach. “I know,” I whispered.
His index finger unfurled to rest gently on the leather folio in my arms. “And it becomes even murkier if the player dates theownerof the ice complex where they practice.”
Confused, I searched his face for clues. “Were you planning on dating Kardok?”
I could tell he was enjoying this. “I just sold you the Bramblebluff Ice Complex, Pumpkin. This place”—he gestured around him with his free hand, taking in the office and the rinks below. “It belongs to you now.”
I couldn’t speak, couldn’t breathe. I felt as if all the air had been knocked from my chest. “Daddy?” I croaked.
His hands landed on my upper arms, pulling me toward him. “This place has always been yours, after all.”
I rested against his chest in shock, the folio pressed between us, and he kissed my temple.
“That’s the paperwork. We’ll have to get it processed, of course, but now the ice complex belongs to you. And if you marry Kardok, then the complex will be co-owned by a member of the team, which means this place will continue to be the Terrors’ home, and he doesn’t have to quit the team.”
I was still reeling from the way he’d casually gifted me something so significant, but his words cut through that daze. “Marry?” I croaked, pulling away from him and trying again. “What do you meanquit the team?”
Daddy grinned at me. “That boyfriend of yours was considering it, if it would mean being with you.”
Slowly, my eyes widened at what that must mean. “Hedoeslove me,” I whispered.
“Oh, Pumpkin, I’ve never seen a male more in love with a female, and that’s coming from a guy who is working on convincing Wife Number Five.”
I didn’t register that last line, I was too busy shaking my head. “But—but Kardok…he’s never said…”
“Have you told himyoulovehim?”my father smirked.
“No.” I suddenly remembered everything pressing on us, and glanced toward the door. “The exhibition!”
“Right.” My father pulled me close for a peck on the forehead. “Forget the OHL’s rules for tonight, Lila. You love Kardok, and he loves you, and you’re going to be able to be together.”
Together.
I gasped as I realized what my father had done. He’dfixed it! Just as Maddie had said, I should have gone to him from the beginning. The folio hit the floor as I threw my arms around my father’s shoulders.
“Thank you! Oh, thank you, Daddy!”
I felt him squeeze me, and he made a noise somewhere between a laugh and a sob, then he was setting me away from him. There were tears in his eyes and a big smile on his lips as he nudged me toward the door.
“Go. Skate your heart out, Pumpkin. I’ll always be cheering you on, because you’re perfect.”
