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“You impress me by just being yourself.”
I felt heat rush to my cheeks, and I hoped they were still red enough from being outside that he wouldn’t notice.
“So, what do you have in the works right now?” I asked, trying to get the subject away from me. “Any future Oscar winners?”
“I don’t want to talk about work,” he said with a groan.
“Fine. Where’s your next vacation going to be? Since I know you’re just swimming in cash that’s dying to be spent.”
“First of all, I am notswimmingin cash. I keep all my money in the bank, which is where I have to go if I am in the mood for a swim.”
The joke caught me off guard and hot cocoa nearly came out my nose as I laughed.
“Well, that is a very safe place for it.”
“I actually don't have any vacations planned right now. Usually this is our big trip of the year. Sometimes I travel to interesting places for work, but I definitely wouldn’t consider those vacations.”
“We’re far more similar than I ever realized.”
“What do you mean?”
“This is my only vacation of the year. I rarely take a sick day. And I’m never late. My life kind of revolves around work.”
“Is that the way you want it?”
“I don’t know. It’s just the only way I have ever known things to be. If I didn’t work this much, I wouldn’t have all of my success.”
“I know the feeling.”
“I mean, you have your girls, so at least your life doesn’tcompletelyrevolve around work.”
“No, it doesn’t, but I definitely spend too much time working. I’ve actually been thinking about cutting back in the next couple years.”
“Oh really? But I thought you loved your job.”
“I absolutely love my job, but I love my girls more. I wouldn’t ever quit completely, but I would like to spend more time with them. Teach them things about the world, take them to interesting places. I don’t want to look back in twenty years and regret not being with them more.”
“Yeah, that’s a tough spot to be in.”
“I have more than enough money saved up right now to set them up for life. They could go to any college they want, buy a house, and still have money to fall back on. That’s the one thing I don’t regret about working so much. I want them to have everything they can.”
“You’re a good dad,” I said, trying not to tear up as I listened to the obvious love and admiration for his daughters in his voice.
“I’m just trying to do my best. I think that’s what most parents hope to do for their kids.”
“Well, that makes you a better father than your dad ever was, and that’s certainly something to be proud of.”
He grabbed his mug and winked at me over the top of the rim, sending my heart fluttering.
“Thank you, Skye.”
When we arrived backat our chalets a while later, the sun was beginning to set, and the chill in the air was intense. I wanted to stay outside with Owen for the rest of the night, talking about everything that we mad missed in each others lives over the last two decades, but my body couldn’t handle the cold. Owen walked me to the front door, and I stood shivering for a moment before I reached for the handle.
“Are we still on for tonight?” he asked before I stepped inside.
“Tonight?”
“You know…I thought we might finally get some alone time.”
