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I smile. “I’m smitten with him too. We’re really enjoying spending time with one another. We have a lot of fun.”
“That’s so wonderful. Thomas tells me that you’re Jackson Knight’s stepdaughter. Is that right?”
“It is. He and my mother have been married for about three years. Do you know Jackson?”
“I’ve only met him a few times at charity events. He’s quite dashing, and quite charming.”
I laugh. “He most definitely is. I know my mother would agree with you. She’s pretty smitten herself.”
“I believe Thomas has done business with him in the past.”
“I wouldn’t know anything about that. My sister works for him, not me.”
“Do you still see your biological father?”
“He passed about seven years ago when I was in college.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that. Were you close?”
“Extremely close. My whole family is close. My sisters are my best friends, and Jackson’s three sons have become true brothers to us. We all spend a lot of time together.”
“That’s lovely. Carter missed out on so much of that. Has he shared with you that he had a sister?”
“He has. I’m sorry for your loss. It must have been very difficult for you.”
“It was and still is. Nothing has ever been quite the same since.” Carter told me the same.
“I understand. I miss my father every single day. Loss is extremely difficult and extremely painful. There’s a void that, no matter what, can never truly be filled. You live your life, but there’s always something missing.”
She nods. “I couldn’t agree more.” She seems a little dazed for a few moments. I just go about cleaning. “Has Carter met your siblings?”
I smile. “He has. Several times. They all get along really well.”
“I’m happy to hear that. He deserves a big family. I’m glad he’ll have yours.”
She’s already got us married off. I guess we’ve sold her on the lie.
* * *
CARTER
I sit with my father in silence as we smoke our excessive, unnecessary thousand-dollar cigars.
He turns to me. “How is she in bed? She looks like a tigress.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not answering that, Dad. She’s going to be my wife one day.”
“You’re really moving forward with this?”
“I am. It’s a perfect solution to everything. She’s got the right family image, and you’ll get whatever it is you want from her company. She’s already talking about having kids and staying home.” I silently apologize to Reagan for saying all of this.
“I’m proud of you, son. You’re finally taking your family responsibilities seriously.”
“I am. I plan to ask her to marry me in the next few weeks.”
He smiles. “Good. I’ll start having the lawyers draw up an iron clad pre-nup. I wouldn’t want that family getting their hands on our money. When you’re engaged, we’ll start talking about me transitioning into retirement.”
Finally. I’m counting the seconds until I can get him out of my life for good. I can’t believe our plan actually worked. I’m giving my best poker face to hide my level of excitement.
