XOXO

“He knows,” I whisper.

“He didn’t until I told him who I was,” he admits.

I step closer to my granddad, looking for the comfort he used to offer when I’d fall and skin my knee, or a nervous stomachache would land me in bed.

He holds out a hand, and I take it.

“What did he say?” I ask, even though I don’t know that I’m ready to hear the answer.

“I think you need to talk to him, Arietta.” He squeezes my hand. “I don’t know if you took that job to spite me or to learn from him so you can handle your trust fund on your own. I do know that he loves you. He loves you with a might I’ve only seen once in my life. It’s the same love that I felt for your grandmother until the day she died.”

“He loves me?” Tear flood my eyes.

“Deeply.” He takes my hand and holds it to the center of his chest. “Dominick wants a future with you. He’s determined to help you achieve everything you’re meant to accomplish, and all that man wants in return is your love.”

Chapter 56

Dominick

I toss the baseball back to my dad. He catches it in his worn glove without a problem.

He pitches it back to me, aiming it directly at my glove.

When we first started this routine, I was five-years-old and completely uncoordinated. I’d fumble the ball every time he threw it in my direction, but we practiced, again and again until I could catch it with my dad six inches in front of me.

That changed to a foot apart and then two feet.

He’s at least ten feet in front of me now, standing on the baseline on one of the little league fields at the ball club he volunteers at.

Once he catches my last pitch, he drops the glove and the ball on the ground.

His hands jump into the air, so I watch them intently as he signs to me. Are you ready to tell me what’s going on with you?

I tuck my glove under my arm. What makes you think something is going on with me?

He steps around the ball and glove. It’s the middle of the day. You’re not at the office.

I needed time to sort through what I want to say to Arietta. Her life in no way mirrors mine. She had it rough growing up, trying to conform to the daydreams her grandfather had for her.

Her mom and aunt both passed on the opportunity to take the helm of their father’s business, so all of that was put on Arietta.

She was Vernon Greenwalt’s only hope for keeping the business in the family.

That’s a type of pressure I’ve never felt.

I thought Greenwalt was living the dream. It turns out he was creating a nightmare for the woman I love.

I told him as much last night as we sipped bourbon in a crowded bar.

He offered me the chance to handle his entire portfolio if I fired Arietta and walked out of her life. I laughed that off and told him to look at his granddaughter for the brilliant, accomplished woman she is. She’s more than capable of making her own choices.

Once my dad is within a foot of me, I raise my hands. I’m in love.

The look on his face is camera worthy. I stare at it, hoping I’ll never forget it.

I watch his hands when asks the question I knew was coming. You’re serious?

“Dead serious,” I say under my breath as I sign it to him.

He rushes at me, and even though he’s at least six inches shorter than me and lighter by fifty pounds, he scoops me up and tries to twirl me around.

I laugh.

The joy on his face is his laughter.

That turns to tears.

I feel that too, so I sob.

Is it Arietta? He signs when we scramble apart just before we fall to the grass.

I nod.

I love her. His hands keep moving. Like a daughter. Like she’s mine.

“I love her too,” I sign as I shout the words for all of Manhattan to hear.

You make her happy forever. He signs before he pats my cheek.

That’s my plan, and it starts today.

***

The questions that were thrown at me when I pushed my two p.m. meeting with Mr. Morano on Judd were priceless. He wanted to know where the fuck I was and whether I was doing anything that would hurt Arietta.

I assured him that I’d cut off my left hand before I hurt her.

He laughed before filling me on the fact that Arietta shot out of the office like a rocket before lunch and after he mentioned Greenwalt’s name to her.

I suspect she went to pay her dear old granddad a visit.

Vernon told me all about their agreement after I turned down his offer to push Arietta out of my life.

He was supposed to keep his distance until she decided on her future.