Page 30 of Paying Daddy's Debt Collector

“Impressive.”

I wish I could tell her it’s as impressive as she thinks, but the truth is, my job is to take care of the seedy underbelly that gets drawn to this place like moths to a flame. It doesn’t have to be that way. I guess I’ve just always liked being the heavy. Maybe now that I have someone else in my life to be responsible for, I’ll leave the dirty work behind me.

The ballroom is filled to capacity with big spenders and celebrities alike. Cassidy stares in starstruck disbelief as I lead her to our table in the center of the room. The waitress comes over and greets me. “Good to see you here, Chris. I thought you’d bail like last year.”

“I thought my girl might like to see how the upper crust lives.”

She smiles at Cassidy. “You look like you fit right in. You’re very pretty.”

“Thank you,” Cassidy answers, squeezing my hand under the table.

“Wine or champagne?” the waitress asks.

“Champagne, of course.”

We drink our champagne and sample the seven-course meal as it’s served while Cassidy watches the crowd and points out all of the faces she recognizes from the movies and TV. She’s so excited and I’m ecstatic to see her having such a good time.

“Dance with me, baby.”

“I don’t know how to dance.” Her eyes widen, and she’s blinking rapidly.

“Don’t worry, I’ll lead.” I stand up and hold my hand out to her.

She takes my hand and I lead her onto the dance floor. I take her in my arms and we begin to sway to the music. She smells like vanilla candy and feels like heaven in my arms. I don’t ever want to let her go. We dance through three more songs and return to our table.

“Come outside with me, baby girl. I want to talk to you, and it’s too loud in here.”

She takes my arm and I lead her to the balcony. The city skyline is in perfect view under the light of the full moon, and the weather is absolutely perfect.

“This is quite a view.”

I pull her toward me and gaze into her eyes. “Yes, this is quite a view.”

“You always make me feel like I’m the prettiest girl in the world.”

“You should because you are.”

She looks down at her feet and I take both of her hands in mine.

With a smile, I drop to one knee and catch her gaze. “Baby girl, from the moment I first saw you, I knew this was where we’re gonna end up. When I claimed you as mine, it wasn’t just for a few years. This is forever, and I want to spend the rest of my life looking into those eyes. Will you marry me?”

Her mouth hangs open, hands on her chest. “I was not expecting this. For real?”

“Yes, baby. For real.” I take the ring box out of my jacket pocket, open it, and show her the diamond ring inside.

“Yes, Daddy. Yes, I’ll marry you,” she says as her eyes fill up with tears.

I slide the ring on her finger and rise to my feet, taking her in my arms.

“I love you, my sweet girl.”

“I love you too, Daddy.”

EPILOGUE

CHRIS

“Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Cassella. It’s a pleasure to have you with us this evening,” the headmaster greets us as we enter the halls of Greenway Academy.

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