Page 1 of Single Dad's Second Chance

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HENRY

Ifinished my workout ten minutes early, hoping I’d be able to surprise my secretary at her desk. Hurrying through my post-run stretches didn’t do me any good, though.

The one and only Mia Ferris wasn’t at her desk.

And I pulled the top of my quads, being careless in my rush.

Dammit.

I limped my way down the corridor at the Dunn Enterprises building, leaving the empty area where Mia would normally be, typing away.

It was Wednesday, after all, and she tended to not come in until mid-morning. While it wasn’t out of the norm for me—the CEO—to be aware of when she was in and at her desk, it probably veered to weird territory for me to memorizeeverythingthat brunette did. It couldn’t be normal to plan my workouts for when she wasn’t in the building, either.

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the company of a solidly dependable woman.

Employee. A solidly dependableemployee.

As luck would have it, though, I wouldn’t be so fortunate to bask in the warmth of her presence now, anyway. She wasn’t at her desk. And my father was seated in front of mine.

Holding back a deep sigh at seeing my father, Eddie Dunn, in my executive suite, I strode all the way into the room and let the glass door close behind me with a gentle click.

I loved my father. I truly did. He was the one role model I always tried to follow. He was the man I attempted to impress.

Before, when he was the CEO and I was only an executive, some might have teased and predicted that I was an ass-kisser, sucking up to the big boss at the top with the goal of taking over one day. Dad had made it abundantly clear since I began college that I’d be the next CEO of the business he started. It was a given. I’d never seen any need to stand out for the promotion I already knew I’d be getting when he retired.

Still, his opinions mattered. I wanted him to be proud of me. I took pride in knowing he saw me handling the reins of his company with care and intelligence. Every child wants their parents’ approval. That held true to this moment as I lowered myself into the leather chair behind the huge desk I’d ordered to replace his. I planned to always work toward the reward of his approval and happiness.

Just so long as he kept his opinions relevant to work. To the business. Notmeor how I lived my life. Lately, that was all he wanted to harp about, and I simply wasn’t in the mood for another one of his favorite how-can-I-nag-you-about-your-life talks.

“Morning, Dad.” I shifted in my seat, wincing with the stretch of my leg.

“Morning.” He lowered his coffee cup. Even though he was retired, he was familiar with this place and made himself at home whenever he pleased. His official role was over, but he liked to stay involved. “Hurt yourself?”

“I just worked out too quickly and rushed through the cool down.”

He chuckled, well aware of how impatient I could be. “You’re always rushing around.”

“You say that like punctuality is a flaw.”

“Punctuality is a strength—for normal people.”

I pointed at myself as I rubbed my thigh. “I’m not normal?”

“You’re not when you try to cram too many things to do in a day.”

I shrugged. “What can I say? Work hard, play hard.”

“You call running five miles on the treadmill every morning a form ofplay?” He arched one thick dark brow. Grays and silvers showed through his brown hair, but his face was only moderately lined with wrinkles, making him appear distinguished without lookingold.

“Sure.”You forgot about the strength training before the run.

He rolled his eyes. “I don’t think you knowhowto have fun.”

That was a low blow. Of course, I was aware of the dynamics of “fun”. That was why I planned to stop by Mia’s desk. Debating the most ridiculous and asinine words to suggest for that daily word puzzle she loved was always fun.Shewas fun, regardless of the task or assignment at hand.

I sighed, tamping back the disappointment that I’d need to wait longer to see her. My father wouldn’t keep me for long. He understood that I had meetings and calls to handle. My job had once been his, and he was clued in to the demands of the CEO’s schedule. But chatting with him would cut into my time for planning other things, and I’d be behind for the rest of the day. If I was lagging with what I needed to accomplish, I’d miss out on those downtime moments with her.

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