My Grumpy Billionaire

He looks at me like I just kicked him in the crotch. Linda gapes.

“Can you at least help me break into Hollywood?” Felicia says. “Your new father-in-law makes movies, and—”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible. You’ll have to audition like everyone else if you want to become an actress.”

Felicia opens her mouth. But before she can speak, Dad says, “I’m still your father.”

That’s the sad part of it all. “Then where were you when I needed you?”

He opens and closes his mouth like he wants to argue, but knows whatever he wants to say isn’t going to persuade me.

“I have a meeting soon,” I say to get them out of my hair. “If you won’t leave, you’ll be escorted out. Please don’t show up unannounced again. You won’t be allowed in.”

“You’ve always been an awful child,” Dad says tightly.

I regard him steadily. “Yes, well. I was never going to be the obedient, silent child that you wanted. Turns out parenting actually requires some effort.”

I stand to one side as they storm out of the conference room. These people aren’t my family. I deserve better.

I run my thumb along my engagement ring, feeling at peace. I belong with Griffin, a man who loves me just the way I am and wants to lay the world at my feet.