“Why wouldn’t we be fine? Just be we don’t work together doesn’t mean you’re not still my daddy. Right?” I held my breath, because I really didn’t know what his answer would be.
“You’ll always be my little girl Lacey. Even when you’re being stubborn and brave, running through the wilds of a foreign country.”
“That’s good to hear Daddy.”
“I’m proud of you Lacey.”
Fireworks exploded in the pit of my stomach at his words, the same words I’d waited a lifetime to hear. They were important, but there wasn’t that sense of relief I thought there would be at hearing them. “Thank you, Daddy.”
“I guess that means you’re done with the paper for good?” I couldn’t tell if he thought it was a good thing or not.
I shrugged. “You don’t need me, and I’m happy where I am now.”
He nodded slowly. “I thought as much. My loss, I suppose, for not appreciating a good thing when I had it.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to offer to help out, but Levi was there behind me, a strong presence to remind me that I wasn’t just GG’s daughter, I was a grown woman. A journalist in my own right. Instead my lips tugged into a grin and I pulled him in for a hug. “Let’s do lunch together soon Daddy, just you and me.”
He smiled brightly in return. “I’d like that a whole lot, honey.” Daddy squeezed me back, and in that moment I knew we would be all right. I might never work at CCDJ again, but our relationship would be fine. Maybe better than fine without the back and forth of us arguing over every little detail of the newspaper.
“Me too,” I told him and took a step back, suddenly very happy Stevie and Levi had put this party together for me at the last minute. These were my people and this was my town, the place that had nurtured me from a little rough and tumble Tennessee girl, to a grown a woman, a mother, a divorcee, and now a semi-famous reporter. They’d always been here for me, and they always would be, and I absolutely loved them for it.
GG nodded gruffly and walked away, the same as he always was, yet also completely different.
“That was weird,” Ryan said, breaking the silence in our small circle. “I thought for sure he’d have a smartass comment.”
“He’s probably saving it up for tomorrow,” I assured my brother with a smile. “Or maybe everyone has grown up but you, Ryan.”
He held a pretend dagger to his chest and stumbled backwards. “You wound me, Lacey.”
I rolled my eyes at his antics and smiled. “You’re so lucky Pippa, your baby will already have another kid to play with from day one.”
“Lucky me,” she sighed and grabbed Ryan with an affectionate smile. “But he’s got big arms to carry plenty of food,” she called after her shoulder and made her way to the long table stacked with food, brought by everyone in attendance.
“This is great,” I told Levi honestly. “Really. I can’t believe you guys were able to pull it together so fast.”
“Had to do something other than sit at your side and stare at you until you woke up.”
His admission put a smile on my face. “You were worried about me.”
“Forever and always,” he growled in reply, his gaze serious, and seriously sexy.
“I’m gonna hold you to that,” I teased with a flirtatious grin.
Levi held me tighter and rested his chin in the curve of my neck. “I hope that’s not all you’re going to hold me to,” he growled and pressed his body, his growing hardness into me.
“Is it too early to disappear from my own party?” I needed him. Badly. I wanted him right here and right now.
“I’m not up to date on my party etiquette, so let’s just say it is never too early for a mid-party orgasm.”
I turned to face him and wrapped my arms around him. “I love you Levi and I really love the way you think.” My body molded to his and a low purr escaped right there in the middle of my very crowded living room.
“Yeah? Because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you pressed up against the bathroom door, biting your lip while I drive you out of your mind. Quietly. Very, very quietly.”