DILF

Rachel nodded and slowly licked her lips. “I know his anger comes from love, but it’s still hard to process that he doesn’t trust my judgment.”

“He trusts your judgment. I guess he just doesn’t trust Mason’s.”

Rachel nodded slowly. “Yeah, that’s evident. I guess he likes Mason only as a business partner.”

“I’m sure he likes Mason as a friend as well, just not a friend dating his daughter,” Lisabeth said and started chuckling. “Kind of crazy that we would be in the same situation together, huh?” Rachel nodded and smiled. “Who would’ve thought I would be dating your father, and you would be dating his business partner?” At that, both women started laughing.

“Hey, maybe we should start our own soap opera?”

Lisabeth started really laughing. “Listen, I’ll work on your dad, trying to get him to understand where you’re coming from.”

“Thanks. He’s stubborn as a mule though.”

Lisabeth smirked. “Oh, don’t I know it.” She glanced down at her coffee. “You’re really okay with us being together?” She looked at Rachel again.

“I am. As long as you two are happy so am I.”

Lisabeth exhaled and smiled. “Honestly, I don’t know how I would have dealt with it if you wouldn’t have been okay with me being with your dad.”

“Maybe if I hadn’t been in the middle of a relationship with Mason it would have been harder, but I know how love can take control and not let go.”

Lisabeth knew what she meant. “And you’re okay with us living together?” She held her breath, waiting for Rachel’s response.

“In the end it’s your life. Do what makes you happy.” Rachel reached over and touched Lisabeth’s hand. “If you’re happy I’m happy for you. End of story.”

It was funny how things worked out, but in the end, they always did. They had to.

22

The following Friday David sat at the table in the restaurant and stared down at the ring he’d purchased a few weeks ago. It was an engagement ring. The single diamond had caught his attention and he knew immediately that he had to get it for Lisabeth.

He loved her more than anything else in the world, apart from his daughter of course. She’d never be like any other woman in his life. She was important, special to him. He wanted to be with her for the rest of their lives. Make a family, have a life with her.

When he thought about the future the only person he saw was her.

Of course, that would mean asking her to marry him. He knew she loved him but marriage, that was a big fucking step.

Tapping his fingers on the table, he glanced down at his watch. Lisabeth had spent another day with Rachel. She was trying her best to make amends between him and Rachel. Nothing was wrong with him and his daughter. He simply refused to have anything to do with Mason. Their business relationship was strained, but seeing as they dealt with different areas of the business, he didn’t mind. He could handle everything else.

Taking in a deep breath, he stared down at the ring a final time just as Lisabeth was being led into the restaurant. She loved Italian food, and so he’d made sure to book a table at the best place in the city.

“I’m so sorry I took so long. I was helping Rachel out at her apartment, and time just got away from me.” She pressed a kiss to his cheek, and as the maître d’ went to pull out a chair, David was already on it.

“I’ll deal with that.” He slid the chair beneath her and waved the man off. The only person who needed to be near his woman was him.

“Well, thank you. This place is nice. I was worried I wasn’t well dressed enough.”

She wore a plain black cocktail dress that molded to every curve of her body. Most of the women were wearing flashy gowns or something that screamed attention.

To him, Lisabeth held his complete attention and heart with just being herself. She looked utterly stunning.

“You’re fine. You’re beautiful.”

“You didn’t have to wait too long, did you?” she asked.

“I got here a few moments ago.” More like half an hour, but she didn’t need to know that he’d been waiting that long. “How was Rachel?”

“She’s doing good. She wants you and Mason to get along. Maybe have an intervention of some kind.”

“That’s not going to happen,” he said. “I’ll deal with the fallout and then I’ll kill Mason.”

Lisabeth chuckled. “You don’t think you’re lashing out. They’ve been together for a few months now. He’s not broken her heart.”

“Give it time.”

She reached out to take his hand. “You know the same thing could be said about you.”

“And how could it be?”

“You’re a charmer. You’re used to getting what you want. I am younger than you and you’re a known heart breaker.”