me, we’re through.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“You called me a whore.”
“I didn’t understand. I didn’t see how much you cared for him.”
“It doesn’t matter,” I said. “Email Cole and ask if he’ll accept your representation again. If he does, send me the paperwork, and I’ll sign him over to you.”
Dad didn’t let me leave. “I don’t want Cole Hawthorne for a client.”
“Why?”
“Because I rather have my daughter as an employee.”
“I’m not an agent, Dad.”
“You could be. And a damn good one.” It was one of the first compliments he’d given me since before Rose was born. “The way you controlled the meeting with the league was spectacular. Everything. The presentation you gave, how you conducted yourself—Piper, that was quality work. I couldn’t have expected that from anyone else in my agency.” He winked at me. “And if you were honest with yourself—you’d realize you enjoyed it too.”
“I was helping Cole,” I said. “Nothing more.”
“So, you can help others. You’re smart, Piper. You understand contracts. You do your research. You are polite and intelligent and persuasive. This could be your calling. Come to work for me again.”
The words were hard. “You and I don’t see eye-to-eye on a lot of things, Dad.”
“I know.”
“And I don’t think we ever will.”
“I hoped it would get better.”
“If I work for you, it will never change. I don’t want to be your employee. I want to be your daughter. I want to be your friend. I’m not a little girl waiting to get married off, and I’m not an underling trying to get you a new contract. I’m family. If you want that, I’m here. If there’s no room in your life for that then…”
Dad nodded. He looked to Rose, a touch of sadness in his voice. “We’re not alike, you and me. That’s probably for the best. I’ve never been a good man or father. I’m too practical. Too number-oriented and bullheaded. But you amaze me, Piper. You’ve always searched for happiness in places I’d never think to look. Education. College. Raising your baby alone. I worried about you, always seeking adventure but not watching where that first step would land.”
“Do you still worry?”
“I don’t have to. I couldn’t imagine you any other way, Piper. You’re a brilliant woman, and you’re an excellent mother.” He looked away. “And if Cole couldn’t see that, you’re better off without him.”
It was amazing how one little sentence could rip through me. I hoped my voice didn’t catch, but a month separated from Cole hadn’t healed the ache in my chest.
“It was amicable,” I said. “We broke it off when he left for Ironfield.”
“Any reason you didn’t go with him?”
“It wasn’t meant to be.”
Dad snorted. He distracted himself with his computer, checking an email. “Don’t go looking for Prince Charming, Piper. Do you know what happens when you wait for fate to drop the perfect person in your lap?”
“What?”
“A lot of unnecessary trouble. Fingers pricked on spindles. Apples lodged in throats. Shattered glass slippers tearing up your feet. Forget what’s meant to be. Make your own happily ever after.” He raised his eyebrows. “Go get him.”
I didn’t let my heart beat with that flicker of hope. “I have everything I need in life with Rose. She’s the one who needs the happily ever after, not me. I’m going to make sure she gets it. No princes required.”
I stood and shouldered my purse, taking Rose’s hand before she climbed every piece of furniture in Dad’s office.
“Wait,” he said.
Dad rifled through his filing cabinet and pushed a folder towards me. His writing scrawled a name over the top.
Lachlan Reed
“He’ll go first round in the draft,” Dad said. “You should represent him.”
“I don’t need charity.”
“It’s not. I can’t handle him. He’ll need a lighter touch. I wouldn’t trust him with anyone but you.”
Uh-oh. “Is he another Cole?”
Dad laughed. Hard. “Couldn’t be more different. You’re the best suited for him, I think. I’ve been courting him, but…he’s yours. His contact info is in the folder. Give him a call.”
“I can’t deal with both Cole and now…” I looked at the folder. “Lachlan.”
“Looks like you’ll have to start your own agency.”
“Dad—”
“This has been fun, but I’m very busy, Piper. I gotta get out of the office before Monday Night Football.” He eyed me. “You shouldn’t miss it.”
Yeah, right. Rivets versus Cyclones. Cole Hawthorne’s Ironfield debut would take place live on national television.
Where everything could go wrong.
My heart couldn’t take it.
I tucked the folder into Rose’s diaper bag. “Thanks, Dad.”
We weren’t the hugging