Page 6 of Unpredictable
“Exactly.” She leaned forward, a fire in her eyes. “It doesn’t really matter how long we’ve been together. We love each other, and we want to get married.”
“You’re signing a prenup, right? If you need a lawyer, I’m sure Jacob would be happy to help you draft one.”
She shook her head, setting her glass on the table. “We don’t need a prenup. I’m not going into my marriage preparing for divorce, because it won’t happen. We love each other.”
“Do you think any couple goes into marriage thinking they’ll get divorced?” I ground out. “Life isn’t some fairy tale like the books you read.”
“God, Dad,” she huffed. “I really hoped you’d be happy for me. For us.”
“I just…” I rubbed my temple, trying to adopt a calmer tone. “Why are you in such a rush? You’ve had a lot of big life changes in a short amount of time. You sold your house, changed jobs, and moved in with Connor all in the past year.”
“I know.” She smiled. “It’s been amazing.”
I wanted to be happy for her, but I couldn’t ignore the doubts and fears swarming in my mind.Had she really thought this through?
“And what about your job? You’ve been so busy, and I thought you wanted to focus on making your way up the ranks at Harlow & Phillips.”
“I do.” She took a bite of her meal before setting her fork aside. “And that hasn’t changed. I can do all that and still get married too. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.” She studied me for a moment before asking, “Are you upset because Connor didn’t ask for your blessing first?”
I shook my head, realizing I hadn’t even thought of that. “No. I just—” I blew out a breath. “Marriage is a big step.”
She glared at me from across the table. “One I’m ready for. And I’m hoping you’ll walk me down the aisle.”
I barked out a laugh. “Right.” But then I sobered when I saw her pained expression.
“You know what? I came here, excited to tell you, thinking you’d be there to support me, like you always have. Apparently, I was wrong.” She stood and yanked her purse off the back of her chair. “I’m marrying Connor whether you like it or not.”
She stormed out of the restaurant like a petulant child. And it felt as if everyone’s eyes followed her before turning to me. Blaming me, no doubt.
“What?” I snarled to no one in particular as I threw some bills on the table.
I marched out of the restaurant and down the sidewalk toward Talia’s office, leaving my lunch half finished.Married?Was she out of her mind?
I took a few deep breaths before opening the door, but I knew it was going to take a lot more than that to calm me down after my lunch with Olivia. We rarely argued, but I couldn’t stand by and watch her make the biggest mistake of her life. It wasn’t that I didn’t like Connor—far from it. It was how quickly everything was changing, and the fact that she refused to even consider a prenup.
While I waited for Talia in the conference room, I paced along the windows, staring down at Sunset Boulevard. Pedestrians passed, the palm trees swayed, and I thought back on lunch. Where had it all gone so wrong?
The door opened, and I turned to see Talia enter. “Harrison.” Her smile immediately fell. “What’s going on? You look stressed. Is it the endorsement contract? Because we can negotiate whatever terms you want.”
I sank down in one of the chairs. “No.” I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Olivia’s engaged.”
“Aww. That’s great news!” She took the seat at the head of the table, so we were close. “Isn’t it?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know what the hell she’s thinking.” I sighed, rubbing my temples. “They haven’t even been together a year.”
Something flitted through Talia’s eyes, an emotion I couldn’t place. “You don’t think she’s pregnant, do you?”
My eyes went wide.Oh shit.I hadn’t even considered that possibility. I’d been too blindsided by Olivia’s announcement to contemplate the possible motivations behind it.
I blinked a few times. I wasn’t ready to be a grandpa.Gramps? Pop? Grandad?
“Harrison,” Talia said, placing her hand on my shoulder. “Take a deep breath.”
I did as she said, annoyed with myself for getting so worked up. If Olivia was pregnant, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. She was twenty-seven, for crying out loud, older than I was when we’d had her. But I didn’t want that to be her reason for getting married.
“I don’t think she’s pregnant. But what the hell do I know? Clearly, I can’t think straight when it comes to Olivia and marriage. I kind of lost it on her when she told me.” I cradled my head in my hands. I didn’t care about the potential negative publicity from my little outburst; I cared that I’d hurt my daughter. “God, I’m an ass.”
“You’re a dad. And you’re protective because you love her.”
