Page 72 of The Ring Thief
As I walk in, his assistant greets me cheerfully. “Go right in. Grant’s just finished up on a phone call.”
“Thanks, Sally.”
I head over, knocking briefly and opening the door. “Hey, Dad.”
“Lilypad!” Before I’ve closed the door behind me, he’s up and out of his seat, coming around the desk and pulling me into a tight hug. “Ah, that’s what I needed.”
I hug him back with a laugh. “Been a rough day, has it?”
“Not really, but a Lily-hug makes everything better.”
He pulls away, and I follow as he draws me over to the chairs facing his desk. He gestures for me to take one before sitting in the other, his body angled towards me. “It feels like you’re buttering me up for something,” I observe with a smile.
“Me? Why would I need to butter you up?” His eyes are round with shock, but it doesn’t feel entirely genuine.
“That’s what I’m wondering,” I murmur, unable to hide my amusement. He leans back in his seat, lifting one ankle and resting it on his other knee, watching me closely. The silence stretches out between us for a minute, and then another. I lift expectant brows. “If you don’t get on with it, we’ll actually miss dinner and Julie’s going to end up hunting us down.”
“Can’t have that.” He gives a mock shiver, making me laugh, but then clears his throat, rubbing two fingers on one side of his jaw. “I’ve got some news for you.”
“Okaaay,” I drag out slowly, filling the silence when he doesn’t immediately continue. “This sounds serious.” My expectant look doesn’t fall away.
He moistens his lips, not quite meeting my stare, and my mind starts jumping to worst-case scenarios. But then his lips curve with a secretive little smile.
“Not serious, per se,” he teases, but he’s interrupted by a knock on the door. He calls out for them to come in, and I look over just as Declan comes into the office, two takeaway coffee cups in his hands. I do a double take, eyes wide.
“Declan?” I ask cautiously as he comes over, handing one cup to Dad and giving me the other. I take it on autopilot, eyes flickingdown to the label stuck to the side, unable to stop the smile tugging my cheeks up.
Hazelnut latte.
I bounce my stare between the two of them. “What’s happening right now?” I ask. No one answers, and I pin narrowed eyes on my dad. “Why is Declan here? And why is he bringing us coffee?”
Yeah, Lily, because that’s the weirdest thing about this.
Dad chuckles lightly, sipping at his drink. “I take it you didn’t think too hard about that intern I mentioned.”
I stare at him blankly before the conversation we had weeks ago trickles back into my memory.Not retiring, new intern, potential.A bark of laughter escapes my lips, and then I’m pointing a finger at Declan, not looking away from Dad.
“He’s your intern? Him?” I lean forward, dropping my voice to a whisper that they can both still hear. “You have the CEO of Nexus bringing you coffee?”
Declan huffs, but doesn’t say a word as Dad shrugs. “He had a lot to learn,” he says, but then pauses, flicking a look over at Declan. “Or unlearn, as the case may be.”
Declan doesn’t look offended and doesn’t deny it. “Happens when you’re raised by an unfeeling monster, I suppose.”
I shift my focus to him, tilting my head back, eyes locking with his. “Why didn’t you say something?”
He tilts his head to the side, his smile softening his next words. “I didn’t do it for you, Lily, and I never wanted you to think that I did.” I frown, unsure, but he continues quickly, “I’m winning you back. Don’t worry about that. But this? This is something I needed to do for me. A way for me to take back control of my life.” He looks away, expression solemn. “I want to be a better person. For you, and for myself. I figured learning from Grant was a step in the right direction. He raised you, right?” He looks back, eyes warming to a melted chocolate that has my pulse jumping. “So, he’s gotta know some things. He’s teaching me more about running a successful company than Donald ever did.” He gives me one last lingering look, like he’s memorizing my face, and then takes a step back. “I’ve got to go. But I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
It’s not a question, but there’s something in his tone that has metaking a closer look. His eyes slide away from mine before darting back, his smile still there, but slightly smaller.
I feel a thread of amusement as I realize he’s nervous, as if he thinks I’ll change my mind. His fingers pluck at the dark fabric of his slacks. He notices where I’m focused, and he quickly tucks both hands into his pockets.
This side of him is sweet and unfamiliar, and something in me melts a little. Beside us, Dad clears his throat, bringing my attention to the fact that the silence is stretching out awkwardly, both of them waiting for some kind of response from me.
I nod jerkily. “Yes. Tomorrow.”
Declan exhales loudly, his shoulders sinking as he does nothing to hide his relief. “I’ll pick you up at seven,” he tells me, all confidence once more. He turns and heads for the door, pausing to throw back over his shoulder. “There’ll be another surprise waiting for you when you get home after your dinner.”
My mouth drops open, but he’s gone, the door firmly shutting behind him. I turn to my dad, bewildered. “What the heck was that?”
