as if he were accusing me of anything, yet I couldn’t help the pang of guilt that speared my heart. I’d purposely avoided talking to or seeing my father as my relationship with Harrison grew. Dad was on Ryder’s side and he wasn’t exactly crazy about the idea that I was still seeing Harrison.
“I’m fine. I’ve got a meeting in fifteen minutes, so I can’t talk for long.” My personal assistant had just walked into my office, and she was gesturing to her watch.
“That’s why I called you at work. I’ve left a few messages, but you haven’t replied.”
“Sorry, I’ve just been so damn busy. Finding a new place and packing up is so time consuming.” I tried to sound lighthearted and hoped to hell he’d buy into my reason.
“Ryder told me you were seeing Jade’s brother . . . as in, dating.” Dad went quiet for a moment, then broke the silence with words that cut into me. “The same man who cost Jade and Ryder a baby.”
Silence crackled down the line as I thought of something to say. I tapped my pen on the desk, my palms sweaty, an uneasy feeling sitting in the pit of my stomach. No words could justify what had happened, but I wanted Bill to at least give Harrison a chance. I didn’t need his approval of whatever man I was with, but deep down I wanted him to be okay with it. He’d introduced me to Nolan, and I knew he was still unhappy about it not working out between us. Secretly, William Ryder would have loved for his daughter to be married to someone he believed was a rising star.
“Daddy, don’t judge until you get to know him. Harrison is a great guy.”
He sighed. “So is Nolan.”
“Please don’t start with that again.” I huffed. “Nolan is a cheater. Can you honestly tell me you’re okay with me marrying a man who’ll probably screw anything in a dress when he has the urge? A man in his position has more opportunity than most, and he’s already proven what he’s capable of.”
“Well at least he’s not a baby killer.” Bill’s voice was hard and unsympathetic.
I sucked in a deep breath. That was low, even for my dad. “Oh, and screwing around is okay? But of course, I forget—you are an expert in that field.” Driving the knife deeper, I continued, without even trying to keep the bitterness from my voice. “You and Nolan are two of a kind; that’s why you like him so much.”
I wanted him to hurt for all the pain he’d put me through. Didn’t he get it that finding out he’d had a long-term affair with Ryder’s mother was the exact reason I couldn’t stomach the thought of my man doing the same to me? It was the one thing I’d never be able to abide in a partner. Not after what my dad did to my dying mother.
Bill laughed, but there was no humor in it. “I deserved that. I know I hurt you deeply, but what you don’t understand is that it is possible to love two people at the same time. I loved your mom, Eva.”
“But you also loved Marianne. I can tell just by the look in your eyes when you talk about her.”
“I can’t deny that I did. Marianne was a free spirit. She awoke something in me that no other person could. I can’t explain it to you; I can only apologize for what I put you through.”
“It’s still cheating, Daddy. And you broke Mom’s heart. That’s what gets me most.”
“I know, sweetheart. Don’t you think I wish it could’ve been different? But sometimes a person gets caught up in something that’s bigger than him. I didn’t go asking for it . . . it just happened. The heart has a mind of its own, you know. We can’t choose who we love.”
His words hit me hard. He was speaking from a place of truth, and I couldn’t hold it against him. Funny thing was, the same thing was happening to me. As much as I was resisting giving my heart to another man, I couldn’t help how a certain guy was creeping under my skin. I was powerless to stop it, no matter how much I told myself I would not fall for Harrison Summers because the man was dangerous in every way possible.
“I’m beginning to realize that,” I said, nearly choking on the words.
“Listen, sweetheart, why don’t you bring that man