Page 36 of Stuffing His Stocking

My driver assists Liv out of the car. I exit the vehicle, then walk around to meet her. With my hand at the small of her back, I escort her inside, where our host leads us to a private table. As we settle into the plush chairs, a waiter appears with complimentary glasses of champagne.

“Congratulations on your well-deserved promotion. I’m proud of you, baby.”

Liv smiles before clinking her glass against mine. “I still can’t believe it. Global campaigns! It’s like a dream.”

After graduation, Liv was offered a job at Bennett Enterprises, one of the largest acquisition firms in the country. She was shocked, but I wasn’t, since she graduated with honors in the top five percent of her class. My girl is intelligent and ambitious, which means any company would be thrilled to have her.

“I know you’ll do great, baby. You always do.”

“Thank you.”

I take a sip of my champagne. “For what?”

“I don’t know, for loving me. Supporting me. Giving me this wonderful life.” She glances down at the table.

I lift her chin with the tip of my index finger. “Don’t ever thank me for loving you. It’s impossible not to.”

She relaxes with a contented sigh.

“And it’s me who should be thankful. Because you love me no matter what I have or don’t have. You love me for who I am, and no one’s ever done that before.”

We dotingly gaze at each other for a moment longer, before our server comes to the table. After making our selections and conversing briefly, the girl leaves us to enjoy our champagne.

I’m listening intently while Liv tells me about her new position, until I notice a familiar face behind her, just a few tables away. My abs clench with unease when recognition dawns on me, and I’m praying like hell he doesn’t notice me.

What the fuck is he doing here?

Always perceptive, Liv picks up on my change in mood right away. “Did I say something wrong?”

“Of course not, baby.” I direct my attention back to her, hesitant to alert her to his presence. But when she narrows her gaze at me, I know it’s futile to hide the truth. “Don’t turn around, but my father’s here.”

Her spine stiffens and she sits up in her chair. “Has he seen us?” I can hear her swallow from across the table.

“I don’t think so. Just forget about him. We’re not gonna let him spoil our night.” I can tell she’s not so sure, but she reaches forward and squeezes my hand anyway. “Go on, honey. I’m listening.”

Liv grabs her water goblet, taking a small sip of the cool liquid before continuing with our previous conversation. But my stomach drops when I hear someone clearing their throat behind her. I lift my gaze and lock eyes on the man I haven’t spoken to in months.

“Son,” he greets, then moves to the side of the table to stand between me and Liv. My lip curls with disgust at his audacity to approach us. He raises his palms in a placating fashion. “Please, Dylan. I just want to talk.”

Anger simmers inside me, but as soon as I glance at Liv, it all disappears. I remind myself that she’s all that matters, and nothing he says can hurt me as long as I have her.

I turn back to my father with a curt nod. “Talk about what?”

Before he explains, he remembers his manners and finally greets my girlfriend. The smile he gives her appears genuine, but I know better than to let my guard down.

He sighs heavily and stuffs his hands in his pockets. “I’m sorry, Dylan.”

Suddenly, he has my full attention, and I observe his sullen expression. I sense Liv’s gaze boring into me, but I’m too stunned to take my eyes off my father.

“I’m sorry for how things ended the last time we spoke. I had no right to threaten you like that.” His head hangs with regret.

“I… I don’t understand what’s happening.”

“I saw you,” he admits, but my brow creases as I stare at him. “Took some digging to find out who he was, but the more I learned, the more I realized I’ve been a fool.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I look across the table. Liv appears just as bewildered as I feel.

“Construction, huh? Interesting job choice.”

---