Judging by your jolly mood, I’d say you’ve won her back.” She grinned.
“I did. We are together as a couple and she’s the one I’m planning on spending the rest of my life with.”
“OH MY GOD! You got engaged?”
“No.” I put my hands up. “Not yet. It’s too soon. But I do plan on asking her to be my wife at some point.”
“Well, I love her, and this makes me very happy. How are you going to tell Mom and Dad?”
“I’m not going to.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know the dinner at the country club on Friday night?”
“The one honoring Dad as businessman of the year?”
“Yep. I’m bringing Ellie.”
“Oh.” A sly smile crossed her face. “I can’t wait to see their reaction to that. But do you think it’s fair to Ellie. You’re putting her in a bad and potentially embarrassing position.”
“I’ve already talked to her about it, and she knows exactly where Mom and Dad stand when it comes to her. She’s fine with it.”
“Even after Mom stalked her and destroyed her life in the middle of a café?”
“Yeah. She said she’s good with going and not to worry.”
“Well, just so you know, I have both your backs. I’ve been practicing the sign language you taught me, and I’ve been studying it online. I’m getting pretty good,” she signed. “In fact, I may stop speaking to Mom and Dad and just sign to them.”
I let out a chuckle. “You’re asking for trouble.”
“I know. Ask me if I care.” She smirked.
After kissing Ellie goodbye, I headed to the office. I already knew it was going to be a shitshow when I saw my father, and I was fully prepared. Nothing he could say or do would hurt me or piss me off. Those days were over. I held the power now.
“Welcome back, Henry.” June smiled.
“Thanks, June. Come into my office and fill me in.”
“Your father wants to see you.”
“I figured.” I sighed.
“All the paperwork you need to look over and sign for the upcoming investment deals are right over there. And Mr. Carter wants you to call him ASAP. I told him you were out of town.”
“Okay. I guess I better go see my father first and then get to work.”
“Good luck.” The corners of her mouth curved upward.
“Thanks, June.”
I grabbed a cup of coffee and headed to his office. Opening the door, I stepped inside.
“Well look at what the cat dragged in. Have a seat.”
“Hello, Dad.”
“How was California?”
“It was fantastic.”
“Tell me about this company you want to invest my money in.”
“I will as soon as I get the details worked out.”
“I thought that’s why you went out there.”
“There’s still a few kinks to iron out.”
“Does it look promising?”
“It certainly does.” I brought the cup up to my lips.
“Okay. I trust you. You didn’t happen to meet any beautiful single socialites while you were in Malibu, did you?” He smirked.
“No. I didn’t.”
“Well, there’s going to be some at the dinner on Friday. So, look and smell your best.”
“I definitely will.” I smiled.
“There’s actually someone I’d like you to meet. Her name is Gabby Hart. Her father owns the Hart Luxury Hotels around the country. Beautiful girl. Let me show you a picture.”
As he looked at his phone, I rolled my eyes.
“There she is.” He held his phone up to me.
“Yes. She’s lovely.”
“She’s a couple years younger than you and eventually she’ll be running the company when her father retires.”
“Impressive. I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Really? So, then you’re over that—Ellie?”
“Yep. I’ve put all that behind me.” I smiled.
“Good. Good.” He nodded his head. “Okay. You’ve been gone a week and haven’t done a damn thing. Get to work.”
“I will,” I said as I stood up from my seat.
“By the way, Henry. Why did you have your phone turned off the whole time you were there?”
“This investment is a huge life changing deal, and I needed to focus solely on that and nothing else.”
“Okay. I can’t wait to hear more about it. I’m proud of you, son.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
When I opened the door to leave, Addison stood there and nearly fell in. She would have if I hadn’t grabbed her.
“Addison, what is going on?” my father asked.
“I was just coming to run something by you. I didn’t know Henry was in here.”
“Well, you’re going to have to run it by me later. I have a meeting to prepare for.”
“Sure, Dad.” She smiled as I shut the door.
“I heard every freaking word.” She held up her hand for a high-five.
I chuckled as I high