CEO Daddy

by Quinn, Taryn

  I couldn’t wait.

  My shoulders were so tense that pain radiated through my back the longer I sat behind the wheel. But I kept driving, hope against hope I’d see her familiar vehicle at one of our usual spots. I even checked home once more, just in case. Maybe I’d missed a note—

  No, I had not. She’d left nothing for me on the refrigerator, or in the notebook we used to scribble notes about Lily, or anywhere else.

  So, I dropped off the sodden container of ice cream along with the other groceries, keeping just the probably wilting tulips. But I needed to find her to give them to her as soon as possible.

  This time, the flowers were meant for her and her alone.

  On my next circuit through town, a suspiciously similar car to Hannah’s rolled out of the bay of the custom car shop next to Macy’s café. I brought my car to a stop at the curb with a squeal, blocking the exit. Grabbing the tulips, I climbed out of the car, only to see the person driving Hannah’s car—or a damn near double for it, right down to her recent addition of fuzzy pink dice that doubled in a pinch as a toy for Lily—was not Hannah.

  As the tall, scruffy dude unfolded himself from the front seat, I fisted my hands, probably crushing the damn flowers. “Where is my woman?”

  The guy cocked an eyebrow. “This ain’t the Desperate Singles app.”

  I stared at the guy, not amused. “You’re driving Hannah Jacobs’ vehicle. I demand to know her location.”

  “Depends.” He scratched his cheek, looking me up and down. “Are you some kind of criminal element? You look pretty sketchy.”

  I looked down at myself. My suit was a little wrinkled, but it was a custom Hugo Boss, like many of my suits. Meanwhile, this individual had on a worn chambray shirt with a hole near the hem and jeans that looked like they’d been purchased in 1982. “I’m Asher Wainwright.” I hated the cold note in my tone, but it couldn’t be helped right now. “And you are?”

  “Oh, fa-la-de-da. Should I genuflect now or later?”

  I would’ve responded in kind except I’d happened to turn my head and glimpsed a honey-colored updo on a woman in the window of the café next door. I forgot all about pissing matches with grumpy mechanics—at least that was a reasonable guess, although serial killer was my second thought—and crossed the parking lot to the front door of the café at record speed.

  “Hey, wait, Wainwright—”

  The guy’s voice disappeared with the thunk of the coffee shop’s door behind me. Instantly, I heard the theme music of some horror movie, playing on a small screen in the reading nook. A bunch of people were clustered close, eating popcorn and squealing at the bloodthirsty maniac on screen.

  Speaking of serial killers…

  My gaze swung to Hannah and my fingers flexed around the already tortured stems of my flowers. I stalked toward Hannah’s table just as the door opened behind me and mechanic-serial killer dude lurched forward to seize my arm.

  “Hey, wait a second—”

  At his voice, Hannah spun around in her chair, her blue eyes widening comically. “Asher? Dare?” Then she frowned. “Why are you accosting him?”

  “Good question.” I shook him off and straightened my tie. “He stole your car.” I knew good and well he probably had not done any such thing, but consider me pissed off.

  She let out a giggle. An actual honest-to-goodness giggle. I didn’t think I’d ever heard her do that before. She still didn’t even smile all that often, never mind have to wipe the mirth out of her eyes. “Dare didn’t steal anything. He’s the part owner of the shop next door. My car started acting up and—” She stopped and zeroed in on the mangled tulips. “What are those?”

  “For you.” I shoved them at her and took a quick glance at Lily in her high chair. She was sucking on a juice box and watching me owlishly, her mouth smeared with what looked like chocolate. “Asher,” she said distinctly.

  That was a fight for another day.

  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
belly was barely anything at this point, but it was enough to make her pause. And me pause as she gripped my jaw. “I want to share my business with you, but I already have a partner.”

  “Who?” Indignation filled my voice.

  “Gabby. I just asked her tonight. She took over the rest of my deliveries when my car broke down.” She covered my hands on her belly with her own. “But we have our own collaboration going right now.”

  I swallowed hard. “Yes, we do.” I leaned up until our noses were an inch apart. “You’re going to have to marry me. There’s simply no other solution.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. I’m on my knees. I’m asking you to marry me. Be my wife. Commit to the lifetime of insanity that is guaranteed to be ours—”

  Lily banged her juice box before pitching it right between us, managing to splash little purple droplets all over Hannah’s white shirt. I don’t know who laughed louder, the baby or me.

  Or Hannah.

  “You’re not—” She pressed her lips together at my raised eyebrows. “I wasn’t going to ask about alcohol, I swear. This time, I was saying you’re not going to change your mind.”

  “Not a fucking chance. Sorry, Lily,” I said without looking her way. “I love you. I love you so much.”

  Hannah’s eyes went bright and she blinked over and over. It still didn’t keep the tears from sneaking free. “I love you too. I think I always have from the first night. For sure from the time I came to your house for the nanny job and you acted like a jackass.”

  “Shocker.”

  Dare’s reaction barely registered. Right now, I had more important considerations.

  “Good thing you love assholes.” I rubbed her cheek, blotting up her tears.

  “You aren’t an asshole underneath. But you do a very good impression of one. Just like I do a good impression of wanting to be alone. I thought I didn’t want to have to take care of anyone, when I’ve never been happier than these days I’ve spent with you and Lily.” She sniffled. “I just never wanted the ones I love to leave.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” I said roughly, catching her tears as fast as they fell. “This is all I want for the rest of my days.” With my other hand, I reached for Lily. “No matter how many there are, there will never be enough.”

  Hannah’s smile was like the sun emerging after the darkest of days. She shifted on her chair, clutching the juice box in one hand and the flowers in the other as she pressed her forehead to mine. “Let’s get married, Asher Wainwright.”

  The café erupted in applause as we kissed. Even Dare joined in.

  When I eased back, he clapped me on the back. “Congratulations.” Then he tucked something in my pocket—Hannah’s service bill.

  I pried it out, expecting a reason to grouse. Hey, I was ridiculously happy right now, but I was still me.

  Instead, a big fat zero with a smiley face had been written on the bill. “You’re not charging?”

  “Nope. On the house. Consider it a wedding present.” Dare smiled at Hannah. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you. Aww, that’s so sweet of you.”

  “Welcome to the Cove. You too, Money Bags.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Dare is a sweetheart, isn’t he?” Macy swept forward and planted a bill on Hannah’s table. “But I’m not. Although if he messes up, call me, Hannah. I’ll help you bury the body.”

  We all laughed. Even me.

  Mostly.

  Epilogue

  September

  There was a point of waiting to the very last minute to do something, and I’d reached it.

  I wasn’t a procrastinator by nature. Until my life had become so full that even escaping for an hour to visit a jeweler—in secret—was a feat.

  “You told your girl that you were going out drinking, but you’re really getting her ring?” From the driver’s seat of his truck, Austin shook his head. “You’re supposed to lie about drinking, not use it as an excuse, dude.”

  “It’s a thing with us,” I muttered. “Can this thing go any faster?”

  “Not unless you’re going to pay my speeding ticket.”

  “No time for speeding tickets. Besides, don’t you get special dispensation or something?”

  “I work for the fire department, not the police. Who are also not above the law, thank you very much.”

  I rolled my eyes at Austin’s indignation. “Fine, just step on it.”

  “I’m stepping. I thought you were already engaged. Why do you need another ring?”

  “I never gave her one.”

  “Wow, lame.” Austin coughed into his fist. “Oh, I see.”

  “It was a spur of the moment thing. I wasn’t prepared.”

  “You didn’t ask her parents first?”

  “Her parents are dead, unfortunately.”

  “What about her priest?”

  “I don’t think she has a priest. Is that a thing?”

  He jerked a shoulder. “Seems like a good idea to ask a man of the cloth. He’d probably give you some of that premarital counseling. I could too, but mine would be short.” He flipped on his turn signal to veer down the street where the jeweler’s was located. “Run. Fast.”

  “You’re just jealous.”

  “Of regular sex? Yes. The rest?” He shuddered. “I might be ready for that when I’m like sixty-eight.”

  “Such a precise age.”

  “Well, I have the better part of a decade until my kid sister is old enough to move out, and I’m not going to confuse her with relationships that might not last.”

  “Marrying kind of ensures they’ll last.”

  “Are you a hippie?”

  “No?”

  Austin shook his head. “Just saying, I don’t want to mess with Joey’s head. So, by then I’ll be pressing forty, and I figure with Viagra, I’m probably good to go for another thirty years. By sixty-eight, I’ll be ready for canasta tournaments and a pair of lounge chairs in Florida.”

  It was my turn to shudder as he stopped the car in front of Zagan’s Jewelers. “Your idea of the future is horrifying.”

  “Least my expectations leave room for improvement.” He shrugged and got out of the truck.We walked inside and I informed the woman behind the counter I was picking up a special order that I’d already paid for. She emerged a few moments later with a small green box. Without prompting, she popped open the lid.

  Inside, nestled on fabric the same green, was Gran’s vintage engagement solitaire ring with two important additions—a small canary yellow diamond on one side for Lily and a small green diamond on the other side for our daughter. Or son, if my spidey sense turned out to be wrong.

  I smiled at the jeweler. “It’s perfect, thank you—” I broke off as my phone buzzed in my pocket with Hannah’s ring tone. And she was calling, not texting. “One moment, please.”

  I stepped away to take her call. “Hey, you. I’m almost done—”

  “It’s probably good you have a drink in you. I think this baby is impatient.”

  “What? What? What?”

  At my clear distress, Austin came over to me. “You need oxygen again? I kept it in the truck from the last time you nearly fainted when we were together.”

  I had to assume he was kidding, but part of me hoped he wasn’t.

  “Just a few contractions is all,” Hannah said soothingly. “I already called Gran to sit with Lily and I doublechecked my bag is ready to go.”

  “Go? Go where?”

  “Asher, if the baby’s coming, we have to go to the hospital. Remember? We practiced this.”

  “Yes, but you weren’t actually in labor.” I sucked in a breath. “Nothing we practiced included hyperventilating.”

  “Holy shitballs. She’s squeezing it out now?” Austin winked at me. “Better hurry up and get that ring on her finger. If it’ll fit.”

  “What ring?” Hannah asked.

  I sighed and tipped back my head. Oh, look, I could see stars. That probabl
y wasn’t a good thing, considering I was inside on a cloudy day. “I’m not actually drinking. I went to pick up your engagement ring.”

  “My—oh my.”

  “You didn’t freak at possibly being in labor, but now I hear you breathing fast because I got you a ring?”

  “Yes. And I’m freaking a little at the labor thing too, because ow.” She hissed out a breath. “Can you come home? Like…soon. So your buddy Austin doesn’t have to deliver this baby in the driveway?”

  Since Austin was right beside me and Hannah was speaking more loudly than usual due to impending birth, he heard every word. He backed up so fast he nearly stumbled and held up his hands. “I’ll just get you home.” He raced out the door like his…well, like his ass was on fire.

  Appropriate.

  Nodding to the jeweler, I grabbed the ring box and backed out of the door. “I’m on my way. Don’t have the kid for about twenty minutes, all right? Promise me.”

  She wheezed out a laugh. “I’ll do my best.”

  It took three hours and forty-eight minutes for me to officially become a father for the second time. Rose Elizabeth—for Bess—Wainwright was born in a hospital, not a driveway, thank God, but Austin had insisted on driving us in my car.

  Even so, Austin had needed the oxygen this time, not me.

  I was too busy cuddling my perfectly beautiful baby girl and holding my wife-to-be’s hand, her triple diamond ring nestled between our fingers like a wish.

  The best one we’d ever made.

  Gran hadn’t met our little girl yet, because she was watching Lily. But she’d bring her here soon to meet our little one. Gran had broken up with her live-in guy, but she wasn’t upset. She knew love came along when you least expected it.

  I smiled at Hannah. So did we.

  Epilogue Part Two

  I tied the belt of my robe and shuffled down the hallway. I was sure I’d get used to these 2 AM feedings someday. Probably just around the time our little girl didn’t need them anymore.

  But for now?

  Yeah, the boobs didn’t lie and our daughter would soon be looking for me. Instead of waiting for her to cry and wake up her sister—who refused to sleep in any other room—well, it was just easier if I reached her before she screamed.