Page 12 of The Square Up

Callum Roberts has been sizing me up all afternoon, and honestly, I don’t blame him. It shows he cares about hisdaughter, which I respect. As for her mother, Pauline? She makes Maleficent look like a sweetheart. And those sisters of hers? A couple of jealous hyenas.

But Paul? He’s got a good head on his shoulders. The rest of the family? I can’t fathom how Abby emerged from that gene pool. She’s everything they’re not.

“I’ve read about you in the papers. I’ve seen pictures of you with dozens of floozies. Why my daughter?” Callum lights a cigar, smoke curling in the air. “How do I know you won’t toss her aside for your next conquest?”

“Fair question, sir.” I nod. “The truth is, you don’t know me yet. But I will prove to you that I will always put her first. She deserves that—and more.”

Callum stares at the ocean for a few seconds, then turns to extend his palm. “If you don’t,” he squeezes my hand hard. “You will answer to me.”

“Gladly,” I smile.

“Hey, there you are.” Abby wraps her arm around my waist. “What are you and Dad talking about?”

“Basketball,” Callum answers. “Are you having a good time, Abigail?”

“The best.” She beams.

“It’s nice to see you smile,” her father kisses her on the cheek. “You’ll have to excuse me. I have patients to check on. Nice talking to you, Kade.”

“Same here, sir.”

He starts to walk away, then pivots back, putting his arm around Abby. “Whatever you want for your wedding, Abigail, it’s yours.”

“Dad…” tears fill her eyes.

“No arguments. I am your father, and it is my privilege and honor to give you the wedding of your dreams.” He kisses her on the forehead. “We’ll talk soon.”

As her father walks away, Abby clings to me. “He’s never been that sweet with me before.”

“Maybe he just didn’t know how, bright eyes.”

“Maybe,” she sniffles. “But…”

I know exactly where she’s about to go, and I’m not going to let her. I take her face in my hands, “Let’s go home, baby.”

“Home?”

“Home.” I nod. “We’ve got leftover cheesecake to finish.”

“Okay,” she mumbles. “Kade?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Thank you for the best day ever.”

“You’re welcome.” I slip my hand in hers and head for the car.

“Kade?”

“Yes?”

We stop walking and she looks me dead in the eyes. “I don’t want to sleep alone tonight.”

“Then you won’t.” I scoop her in my arms, grinning from ear to ear. “Best day ever,” I whisper in her ear.

“Best day.” She kisses my neck. “But I think the best night of my life is on the way.”

Blood pumps hot and fast through my veins. “Me too, baby, me too.”

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