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“I want to stop serial dating and be in a relationship. I haven’t had that since high school.”
She broke up with Jackson, her high school sweetheart, after he decided to go to college in Australia. His family moved there for business. Zoe might have moved on, but she always refers to him as her benchmark.
“I saw you talking to Heath a couple of times. He meets your standards.” I also know Heath is one of Luc’s friends on the team. I’ve seen the two of them together along with Jake. They seem to have that closeness on the ice, too.
At my mention of Heath, Zoe blushes, and my mouth drops, because she doesn’t react that way for just anyone.
“Oh, I don’t know. Have you seen the lines of fans who go crazy for those guys?”
“Yes.”
“They go crazy for it, too. There are too many women after them, and they love it. Heath is the new poster boy for sin. But … maybe.”
“At least he gets a maybe from you.”
“If he can be anything like your guy, he’ll get more than a maybe.”
There’s a knock on my door that makes me straighten because I know it’s Dad. Zoe sits up too.
“Come in!” I call out.
The door pops open and Dad walks in. In his hands is the new edition of Mom’s magazine. The one I wrote. This is the first time I’ve seen it in physical form, so it must have come back from the first round of edits.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Hey.”
“I’ll wait for you downstairs,” Zoe says, sensing that Dad wants to speak to me.
When she leaves Dad moves closer and holds up the magazine.
“Your mom came home with this an hour ago. I’ve been reading it.” He keeps his focus on me.
Mom said my work was outstanding, so I hope he doesn’t find fault with it.
Tension has lived between us since the night we argued over finding me a new doctor, and I’ve been avoiding him, more so since the night of the engagement party. Then, of course, Dr. Matthews didn’t paint the best picture of me after our first meeting. So much has happened it hurts me to look at my father and wonder what he thinks of me.
“Is it okay?” I try to imbue my voice with confidence, but my heart is pounding.
“Okay?” He raises his brows. “Your mother told me it was outstanding. I agree with her. It is. The work you’ve done here has exceeded my expectations.”
My breath quickens, loosening the tautness in my muscles. At first I wonder if I heard him right, then Dad smiles, and I realize I did.
My father just gave me a compliment.
Has he ever?
No. Never.
“I’m glad you like it.” Emotion laces through my words, reflecting the effect hearing his praise has on me. It’s almost embarrassing to accept that I would need to have my father’s approval in this way.
“I love it. This is exactly the representation I wanted for the team when I hired your mother’s company. She definitely delivered when she suggested you write the piece. I’m proud of you, Autumn. Looks like you’re really getting better.”
His words warm my heart, removing the darkness that has been wrapped around it since the accident.
“Thanks, Dad. That means a lot to me.”
“I thought so. Your mother wants to hire you permanently, but now we see why theChroniclevalues you so much.”
