Page 91 of Tender Temptation

I’m waiting at a small, cozy café near Madison Park. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air. The soft murmur of conversations and the occasional clink of cups is comforting, but my heart races as I wait for him to arrive. This meeting has been a long time coming and weighs heavily on my mind.

I know it’s my last chance to make things right for Ivy and her family before our sonis born.

The bell above the door chimes, and I look up to see Stan walk in. He looks a million times better than the last time I saw him. He scans the room until he spots me then strides over, his presence commanding as ever. I stand to greet him, extending my hand.

“Stan, thank you for meeting me.” I try to keep my voice steady.

He ignores my hand. “Cillian,” he replies curtly, sitting down across from me.

Well, then.

We order our coffees and there’s a heavy silence between us as we wait. Finally, the server sets our cups on the table. Stan takes a sip before looking at me with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

He cuts straight to the point. “What is it you want to talk about? I’m pretty sure I’ve said all I want to say.”

“You must know Ivy’s pregnant.” I take a deep breath, organizing my thoughts. “You’ve made it clear you don’t approve of our relationship, but I thought we could talk man to man because we had a great relationship for years. I love your daughter and I’m going to always take care of her and our child, which means I don’t want her to be sad. She misses you.”

Stan’s eyes narrow slightly, but he doesn’t interrupt, so I continue. “I know you’re angry about how thingshappened. I also know I’ve made mistakes. I’m not sure how much Ivy’s mother has told you about Ivy’s and my relationship, but it’s the real deal. She’s it for me and I’d like to ask for your blessing to marry her before the baby is born.”

“You think you can ask for my blessing, and everything will be fine? Do you have any idea what you’ve put my family through?” he scoffs, shaking his head.

I meet his gaze and don’t take the bait. “I’m not here to make excuses. I’m here to make amends.”

Stan leans back in his chair, his expression hard as nails. “Oh, really? And how exactly do you plan to unwind the clock? Seems like you can’t undo what’s been done. My daughter isn’t even twenty-two and she’s already knocked up by a man pushing forty. Her brilliant mind—wasted.”

“I understand why you’re furious, Stan.” I take a deep breath and try to keep my composure. “I know you had different dreams for your daughter, but I think if you’d stop being angry, you’d realize she’s living her own life now. There’s nothing I won’t do to support her. You and I are alike in this way.”

Stan’s eyes narrow. “How do you expect me to trust you?”

“I earned your trust in business. I’d like the chance to earn it in my personal life. I love her.” I lean back and open my arms up. “I love her more than anything inthis world.”

Stan scoffs, shaking his head. “You’ve got a lot of nerve. You love her? No, you snuck around with her. Put her in a compromising position in your office. You got her pregnant. Why should I believe anything you say?”

“Because I’m devoted to her and she’s happy. Happier than she’s ever been.” I shrug. “I feel the same. I’m building our new home. We’re planning our future. I’ll be by Ivy’s side for the rest of our lives. It’s why I’m here now. Ivy needs her family and you need Ivy. We want you to be part of your grandson’s life.”

“Grandson?” Stan looks at me for a long moment. The anger in his eyes dims.

“Yes,” I confirm, feeling a surge of hope. “We’re naming him Forrest. We want our son to know his entire family loves him.”

Stan’s shoulders slump slightly. “A grandson,” he murmurs, almost to himself. “I never thought…”

“Ivy loves you,” I say gently. “We truly didn’t want you to find out about us the way you did. I’m trying to make things better.”

Stan’s hands clamp into fists. “You have no idea what it’s like to see your daughter…”

He shuts his eyes and shakes his head vigorously.

“She’s not a little girl anymore.” I reach across the table and touch his arm. “You, of all people, know how special she is.Get to know her for who she is, not for who you want her to be.”

He opens his eyes. Nods slowly. Every ounce of fight seeps out before my eyes. “Maybe it’s time I faced some of my own demons.”

“Thank you, Stan. You have no idea how much it means to me.” Relief whooshes through my body.

Stan stands up and finally offers his hand. “I’m not doing this for you, Cillian. I’m doing it for my daughter. Maybe, in time, we can find a way to move forward.”

“I can’t ask any more of you. Thank you.” I take his hand and shake it firmly.

On my way home, a sense of cautious optimism settles over me. If Stan is willing to work on himself, maybe Ivy can have the loving father she remembers from her childhood back instead of the acerbic-tongued asshole who tried to control her. I’ll do everything I can to help them find their way back to each other.

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