Page 89 of Daddy By Design

“Tell you what. Schedule in a time where we can do a long lunch. I’ll listen to what you have to say and we can make up a game plan.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that. You’ve been running this place for years, Lyric. If you have ideas for some new expansions, I’m willing to listen. You’ve proven yourself.”

“I...” She swallowed. “Thank you.”

The fact that she was so taken aback told me I’d been woefully out of pocket when it came to support. Shocker. I was failing at every turn. “We’ll talk.”

“Okay. I’ll be in touch.”

I nodded and strode for the door.

“And Nolan?”

I turned back.

“Answer your damn phone when I call.”

I grinned and left without a reply. I was willing to listen to her proposal, but that didn’t mean I was miraculously going to answer my phone. But we’d figure it out.

I’d figure all of it out if it killed me.

I hopped into my truck and shoved my phone into the holder. A message was waiting for me.

Dahlia:

Jimmy’s Pizza is sitting here on the conference table. I might save you a slice.

My stomach growled, just reading that. I didn’t know if Jimmy’s had good pizza or not. I had my doubts since I’d lived a good chunk of my life in New York City and Chicago. But it might fill the hole and saved me trying to figure out food.

You want to see her, jackass.

Might as well just own up to it.

NINETEEN

I gripped the steering wheel. I should turn around and head back to my place. Hell, I should go anywhere but to Dahlia’s, but my idiot ass turned toward Kensington Square instead of back toward the lake.

It was a Friday afternoon and while it was hot enough to blast the AC, it wasn’t as oppressive as it had been a few days ago. The foot traffic increased the closer I got to Designing Women. Shops and eateries were plentiful in this part of the city.

But it was also nice enough that people were knocking off early and I found a spot a few buildings down from the design studio. I shoved my phone into my pocket as I slid out of my truck. As I crossed the street, I spotted her through the large picture window.

She was sitting cross-legged, with her feet tucked under her. A pizza box was on the table as well as a salad and sweating can of Diet Coke. I couldn’t stop a grin as I noticed the salad sat untouched, but a pair of greasy pieces of pizza filled her plate.

I pushed the door open and the bell tinkled over my head.

She looked up, a welcoming smile on her face then her expression morphed into the annoyed snarl that had no business making me want to smile.

“Hellcat.”

“So, the pizza lured you in finally?”

“Depends on how good it is.”

She unwound her legs and crossed them at the knee instead. Her shoes had been discarded under the desk, leaving her sexy feet bare with that damn dark red toenail polish that reminded me of the other night.

Her foot against my chest, her legs open for me.

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