CEO Daddy (Crescent Cove 6.50)
I glanced at Hannah. I had no idea if Dare and the rest of the patrons of Brewed Awakening were still watching us, but at that moment, I did not care. “You didn’t leave me a note. You didn’t call or text or hell, send up a goddamn smoke signal.”
Sorry, Lily. Sometimes swearing was necessary.
“I know. I’m sorry. I think you need this. It works magically to make you feel better, I’ve heard.” She passed me a wrapped candy, and I blinked, not understanding until I realized it was ginger.
Just like my grandfather’s magical elixir.
I grinned. Everything really would be okay.
“I really am sorry. I thought you’d be working and that I’d be back before you were. Then the car was acting up and the stupid charger wasn’t working and—” She broke off and finally took the flowers from me, sniffing them experimentally. “What’s the occasion?”
“I’m turning over the day to day operation of the business to Vincent. Tomorrow we’re revealing the news magazine he’s launching and officially announcing his new role. And I’m going to work from home from now on.”
“Oh, man,” Dare muttered behind me, but I didn’t stop to see the facial expression that went with it. I did shoot him a mental middle finger though.
How dare he intrude on my romantic fucking moment?
Hannah gave the flowers an experimental sniff as she watched me as warily as a ticking time bomb. “Are you sure that’s what you want to do?”
“Yes, I’m sure. I’ve been sure since we talked that night over ice cream. Well, it set me down the path anyway, and speaking to Gran helped to get me the rest of the way there. Vincent is excited about the business. He wants to take over, and I’m going to let him.”
Hannah gave me a tentative smile. “I’m happy for you. And what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to do what I’m excited about, including the news podcast and helping you with your business. We make a good team, don’t you think?”
Hannah sat down with a heavy thud, still clutching her flowers.
“And don’t ask me if I’ve been drinking—”
“Fine, I’ll ask,” Dare said from behind me, answering that question.
“No.” I gritted my teeth. “I’m just resolute. I want the picture in my head. You and our girls and time spent building a life, not making money. I have enough of that. Hell, I don’t even have to work again if I don’t want to. Neither do you.”
“Hey, Mister Moneybags, what about springing for our tab?”
I ignored the voice from the peanut gallery.
“Now I realize who you look like. Sure you aren’t related to the Hamilton brothers? They like to brag about how they’re made of coin too.”
“Who?” I looked at Hannah, who shrugged.
“No clue. I’m still new in town myself.”
“No,” I said over my shoulder to Dare. “Also, go interrupt someone else’s Hallmark moment.”
Instead of listening, he planted his legs wide and crossed his arms.
Okay, then. Maybe he could get some tips.
He probably needed them.
I focused on Hannah. “You can still work if you want. As long as you want. I’m still going to as well. But the difference is that I’ll be doing it for the right reasons, not just to fulfill a legacy that will do just fine with Vincent at the helm.”
Her chin wobbled. “You said our girls. Did you somehow pay off some tech and find out what the baby is?”
“No, I just know. It came to me all of a sudden tonight when I was driving around looking for you, hoping like hell God or whomever is up there wasn’t vengeful enough to take you and my girls from me just like Billy was taken.” I fell to my knees in front of her and cupped her belly. “I can’t lose you. Only forever will be long enough.”
Hannah sniffled and scooped her hand through my hair. “I’m sorry. I was so thoughtless. It just all spiraled out of control. But I never imagined you’d think the worst.” She leaned forward, laughing a little as her range of motion was a bit less than it had once been. Her