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“Well, I think you deserve something for doing so well in school,” my father says smoothly. “Bring home the forms you need and I’ll make sure the deposit’s on time.”
My cheeks stretch into a smile. “Thank you, Daddy.”
My father smiles. It’s unfamiliar and almost strange, but I love that he’s trying.
“Of course,” my father says. “Anything for my little girl.”
The rest of the evening is equal parts confusing and magical. When my food comes, it’s heavenly. My father seems to relax with every passing minute and by the end of the night, even my mother seems to be enjoying herself.
In the Town Car on the way home, my belly is full of delicious carbs and I feel sleepy and content. My heart is still twinging and aching from Dane’s harsh rejection, but I have a feeling if I pour my energy into bonding with my family, I’ll eventually recover.
When we get home, my father pauses in the foyer before going into his office.
“Did you have a nice time tonight, Allie?”
I nod and yawn sleepily. “Yeah, Daddy. It was great. Thank you.”
Dad smiles. “Good,” he says. “I hope we can do a lot more things like that as a family.”
“I hope so, too.” I smile awkwardly.
“Just know that I’d do anything for this family,” my father says. His voice turns more serious. “And I expect the same from you and your mother.”
I frown. “Of course, Daddy,” I say. “What makes you think I wouldn’t?”
Dad narrows his eyes. “Don’t worry about it,” he says. “Have a good night, sweetheart.”
“You too, Daddy,” I reply.
Alone in my room, the feeling of happiness and contentment begins to fade as thoughts of Dane come rushing back tenfold. By the time I’m in bed, I’m having a hard time keeping the tears back.
I guess it’s better this way.
But God, it hurts so bad.
Chapter Fourteen
Dane
“Mr. Andersen?”
My head snaps up and I see Lea peering at me inquisitively. She’s holding a mug of steaming black coffee and it smells like heaven.
“What?” I groan. “Why did you wake me up?”
Lea trembles as if I’m about to yell at her. The truth is, I want to – if for no other reason than to get the anger out of my body. She takes a gulp before answering me.
“You have a meeting with the shareholders,” Lea says. “And you’ve been asleep for most of the morning. I brought you this.” She hands me the coffee and I sit up, careful not to spill on my Brooks Brothers Oxford shirt.
“Thanks,” I mutter. “When is the meeting?”
Lea flushes. “It was supposed to start ten minutes ago,” she replies. “They’re waiting for you in the private conference room.”
“Shit,” I grunt under my breath as I get to my feet. I slurp down the coffee, burning my tongue, and thrust the mug back at Lea. Running my hands through my hair, I bolt out of my office and into the small conference room on the executive floor.
“My secretary fucked up the meeting time,” I growl as an excuse as I make my way to the head of the conference table.
My shareholders don’t look amused. “Mr. Andersen, we were hoping to discuss expansion to Dubai,” Mark says.
