AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I always thought that someday I’d have my own firm,” he admitted. “But I don’t feel like it’s something I’m prepared to do right now.”
Lucas nodded. “I appreciate your honesty.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, can I ask you something else?”
“Sure.”
“Do you love my daughter?” he asked bluntly.
“More than anything,” Noah responded without hesitation. “But I can’t be the reason the two of you aren’t getting along or the reason she sacrifices her career. There are things she wants to do that aren’t going to happen here in Charlotte.” Ducking his head, he studied his hands for a moment before looking up at Lucas again. “I spent a lot of years focused on my career because I needed that security and stability, but I wasn’t really living. Your daughter made me feel alive. She made me happy. Without her, I’m living a fairly boring life. I fear she’d feel the same way if I asked her to stay.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Lucas replied cryptically.
“What do you mean?”
Standing, Lucas pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket—actually, several pieces of paper. “She’s in Miami, and she’s miserable. She’s doing that audition thing, but I know she’s not into it. I think the two of you deserve better than this. You have the next several days off. There’s a company jet waiting for you at the airport to take you to Miami, and then a car will be waiting at the airport to take you to the hotel.”
Noah shot to his feet. “Um…what?”
Lucas got almost menacingly close. “If you love Lily, then you’ll go to her and make her see that the two of you deserve another chance. If she wants to dance, then we’ll work something out for you within Montgomerys, Noah. Your job is secure—and not just because of Lily, but because you’re an incredibly valued member of our team and we don’t want to lose you.” He took a step back and paused. “So, the choice is yours. If you want to go, I can drive you to the airport right now.”
Looking at the papers in his hands, he saw it was a travel itinerary and the name of the hotel and room number of where Lily was staying. He looked up again. “I…I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say you’ll take care of my girl and make her happy.”
A slow smile crossed his face. “That’s what I want more than anything.”
“Okay then. Go pack!”
For a moment he just stood there, but when Lucas looked at him like he were crazy, Noah sprang into action. He tossed a bunch of stuff onto the bed before asking, “How many days should I pack for?”
“At least three!”
“Done,” he murmured, grabbing a suitcase from the closet, and quickly putting his clothes in it. Then he threw a toiletry case together and put that in the suitcase before zipping it shut. If there was anything else he needed, he’d get it in Miami. After that, he stepped into his closet and changed clothes before re-joining Lucas in the living room. He was about to grab his laptop when Lucas stopped him.
“No working,” he said firmly. “Trust me. The office will survive without you.” Glancing at his watch, he said, “Let’s go. I’ll call our pilot on the way so everything will be ready to go.”
He nodded, but it all felt like an out-of-body experience. He’d never done anything like this before and he kept looking around his apartment in case he was forgetting anything.
“Just grab your phone and charger,” Lucas said as they were walking out the door. “Everything else can be purchased when you land if you need it.”
Locking the door, he followed Lucas to the elevator and was almost afraid to say anything.
Lucas, however, didn’t have the same problem.
“If you hurt her, you know I’ll have to kill you, right?” he said seriously, and Noah’s heart sank. He was about to respond when Lucas burst out laughing. “Sorry! I just had to say it once. It felt like something a dad is supposed to say, but you looked like you were about to pass out, so…”
“Yeah, great. I’m the wimp who can’t take a joke,” he mumbled.
“Hey,” Lucas said quietly. “No one thinks that of you. I think you’re pretty damn brave to be doing what you’re doing. Just like it was brave to admit to all of us last week in the hospital that you were with Lily the morning my father got sick. All I ask is that you not lie to me, Noah. I might not like what you have to say, but I’ll respect you more for speaking up.”
“Duly noted.”
They were out in Lucas’ car and heading to the airport and Noah’s mind was spinning with what he was going to do and say when he got to Lily’s room. Was she going to be happy? Mad? Would she tell him to leave? Would she…?
“Noah, when you get to the hotel,” Lucas began, as if reading his mind, “you need to be prepared for something.”
