Silence.
“She just moved in, but I want more than that. When you find the right person you want to be with, why wait? Your blessing and approval mean a lot to me because I’m not just marrying your daughter, but becoming a part of your family—”
“Of course you have my blessing, Atlas.”
Oh, sweet relief. I released the breath I was holding.
He grinned. “You thought I’d say no?”
“I thought you might say it’s too fast. We’ve only been together for a couple months—”
“I should have asked Cleo to marry me sooner. The science says you know how you feel about someone within the first twenty-four hours. If you love them, you love them. Compatibility…that might take longer. But couples that are together for years before they get married…I think it’s unnecessary.”
“Well…when I first met Daisy, I didn’t care for her.”
He chuckled. “Then it means even more because you still want to be with her.”
“True.”
“When are you going to ask her?”
“Actually…I already did.”
His smile faded.
“It kinda just happened…in the moment. I meant to ask you first—”
“I agree with my daughter when she says that the practice is archaic. For a suitor to ask for permission from her father…sounds like a transfer of property. She’s an independent, successful adult. She doesn’t need my permission to buy a home or a car. Why does she need my permission to spend her life with someone? Could you imagine if Emerson asked Cleo and me if she could marry Derek? It’s ridiculous.”
No wonder why Daisy was fierce and opinionated. Because her father raised her to be like him—not a sheltered girl. “I agree with that, but your opinion still means the world to me.”
The smile returned. “I know it does.” He left the desk and came around to embrace me. His arms wrapped around me, and he patted me on the back. “Congratulations. I know you two will have a long and happy life together. It does please me that my daughter has picked a good partner to experience it with.”
“Thank you, Dr. Hamilton.”
He pulled away and patted me on the arm. “Come on, you can’t call me that anymore. It’s Deacon.”
“Sorry…it’s too weird.”
“It’s more weird to hear my son call me Dr. Hamilton.”
A slow breath filled my lungs when I heard what he said, when I felt the fatherly affection that I’d missed. I would always miss my family, but it hurt a little less…having someone who loved me unconditionally. Once you lost that kind of love, it never happened again. That was the harshest thing about losing them. To know that no one would ever love me the way my parents did.
Until now.
When I came home, Daisy was there, working on her laptop. Without turning away from her screen, she greeted me. “Hey.”
“Hey, baby.” I set my bag on the couch then headed straight to the fridge, grabbing a beer and twisting the cap off. “So…I asked your dad.” I walked to the dining table and stared down at her.
“Yeah?” Her eyes flicked away from the screen. “I’m sure he was thrilled.”
“He was.”
“So, I can finally start wearing my ring?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” She turned back to the screen.
“Everything okay?”
“Yes.” She looked at me again, a different look in her eyes. “Why?”
“Call me old-fashioned, but I think a woman should kiss her man the second he walks in the door…and he should squeeze her ass.”
A grin came over her face. “Yeah, you’re right.” She got to her feet and circled her arms around my neck as she kissed me.
My hand squeezed her ass like it was supposed to.
It was a good kiss—but it didn’t quite have that same fire.
She turned away and headed to the kitchen. “What should we make for dinner? I mean, what should you make for dinner?”
I came up behind her, my beer still in hand. “You sure there’s nothing wrong?”
“Yes.” She continued to stare into the fridge. “I’m just hungry. You know how I get when I’m hungry…”
18
Daisy
We were supposed to go to my parents’ place tonight to celebrate the engagement. I hadn’t told my brothers yet because I wanted them to be surprised when they came over. My mom didn’t tell my dad about the pregnancy because she wanted me to have the opportunity to tell him myself. Plus, it would put him in a weird position with Atlas, whom he already cared for like a son before we were together.
I needed to talk to him about it for a couple reasons, not just because he was my dad.
So, I left work early and went to his facility in New Jersey. When I checked in with his assistant, I asked them not to tell him I was there and allow me to wait in his office. Since I was his daughter, they let me do whatever I wanted.
I sat in one of the armchairs and texted him. I know you’re busy right now, but can you meet me in your office? Don’t mention this to Atlas. I wore my engagement ring now, the heavy diamond immediately becoming a part of me.