Page 50 of My Ex’s Dad

“Fuck her impressions,” I reply. “She’s wanted to be my date to that thing, among all the others, since the day I divorced her.” And despite her whiny protests and insistence, I’ve only gone with an escort or solo.

“Is Liliana aware you want her there that night?” he asks.

I drum my fingers on the desktop. “Yes. She’s been informed.”

“And she agreed to attend with you?” Now both his brows shoot up. It makes me want to smile. Even he’s clued into this young woman’s stubbornness and independent streak. It proves to me that it’s never been a ruse, never a version of playing hard to get. Liliana is hard to get, even for a man like me. Maybe especially for a man like me, wealthy and powerful and used to never having to convince anyone to give me a chance. Her defiance makes her all the more alluring. A sweeter prize to earn.

“Not yet,” I answer.

“I see. And you will persuade her nonetheless?”

“I will.” I sit up and fold my hands together on my desk. “Which pertains to the next thing for you to jot down on your list. Arrange for her parents’ bakery to be hired for the night. An exclusive order needs to be placed for them to fulfill.” I lift one hand and let it drop, a gesture of indifference. “Desserts, some sort of specialty baked good. Whatever fits.”

He nods along with my orders.

“Smooth it out with the coordinator,” I add.

“I’ll try.”

I raise my brows at him and he shrugs. “This close to the event, it might be hard to squeeze in an order like that.”

I laugh once. “My orders can come with any price they want.”

“Duly noted. Is this to be your grand gesture to persuade her, then?”

“It can’t hurt.” I drum my fingers on the desktop again. “From everything I’ve seen, and everything I hear from the men tailing her and keeping tabs on her, that bakery is her only goal. Her only commitment, and from the looks of it, she throws herself into it.” I think back to the food she made for us at the vacation home upstate. “She’s got talent, too, and with her education, I’m not surprised.”

“So playing to what matters to her should win her over.”

“I’m not interested in just getting her to come as my date. I’m focusing on the big picture.”

“Which is?” He frowns.

“Her surrender.” I shrug, as though it should be obvious.

“Of course.” But he doesn’t look convinced.

“What?” I ask, always welcoming his opinion as my most trusted confidante.

“I’m only curious⁠—”

“Again,” I tease.

He almost smiles. “I’m only curious—again—about your determination to win her. Her surrender, according to you.”

I stare at him, waiting for him to elaborate. Talking about feelings isn’t something I ever do, but this is my oldest friend and assistant. If I can’t be straight with him about my intentions and use him as a sounding board, then I probably need to sit with this some more.

“Firstly,” he says, setting his phone down, “this is a clear mark, a boundary you’ve never tried before. I originally assumed you want to bring Liliana as your date to show Elena that she has no right to claim you.”

“Elena lost me when we divorced,” I state bluntly.

“True. But now that you’re eager to go this far to obtain Liliana’s acceptance and be your date, I’m trying to imagine why you are doing this. How you came to behave like this.”

“Like what?” I haven’t been a saint or celibate since my divorce.

“Like someone else. Your reputation precedes you, and that reputation is one where others consider you cold and aloof.”

I roll my eyes at his choice of words. The same ones Elena likes to dole out.