Page 301 of Vegas Heat

“Does he know?” I ask.

Mike shakes his head. “We haven’t made any of this official yet.” He glances at Joanie, and she nods. “But I’d like to officially offer you the position of social media manager.”

I put my hand to my chest and feign shock. “Me? This is such a surprise.”

Everyone laughs. “It’s a dream team,” Mike says.

Cooper reaches over and grabs my hand, and I look at him and can’t help but thinkall of thisis just that.

A dream.

CHAPTER 21: COOPER

I’m still not quite over the whirlwind this day has been, and it’s not even noon yet.

I got the girl, but I also get to play ball. It’s the best of both worlds, and it’s something I never imagined I’d get to have when this day began. And on top of it all, I’ve got my friend back…well, sort of.

Gabby had paperwork to complete to transition to her new position, and I asked Troy if I could speak privately with him afterward. While we both have things to do to prepare for tomorrow’s home opener, this conversation seems somehow more important.

Getting back on the right track with my manager and my friend overrules whatever other plans I might’ve had today.

He sits behind his desk and folds his hands, and he’s more relaxed than I’ve seen him in weeks—since before the wedding, really. I sit across from him, and while we’ve done some office hopping today, this feels like the right place to end up.

“I just want your friendship back, man,” I begin.

Troy nods. “I know, and trust me when I say that’s what I want, too. But I said earlier we need to set some ground rules, and I stand by that. Our relationship is different now. Ithasto be. Just because I’m her father doesn’t mean we can’t be friends, too. When I first found out about you two, I convinced myself it was casual. But after today, you’ve assured me there’s longevity here, and if that’s true, I want you to know you have my support.”

“That means a lot to me, Troy,” I say.

“But I want to make a few things very clear.” His tone is pointed. “I don’t want to know what goes on between the two of you when you’re alone. Neither of you will ever put me or Joanie in the middle of anything between you. And if you need advice on something related to her, you go to someone else unless it’s the sort of thing you’d ask of a father-in-law…if that’s where you see this heading.”

“It is,” I say softly. “And to that end, I realize this is unconventional, but I want to marry her. I want to ask her to be my wife. I want to stand by her side for the rest of our lives, and I’d love to do that with your blessing and support.”

He sighs and sits back in his chair, and I have a moment of panic where I feel like I’ve overstepped. I don’t have a plan, but one starts to formulate as I await his response.

Eventually it comes.

He stands and makes his way around the desk, and he holds his hand out to me. I stand and grip his in mine.

“Of course, Cooper. I may not understand this, but if you make her happy, then I won’t be the one to stand in the way of that. Well, not anymore.”

I reach my free hand around to give him a one-armed bro-hug, and he gives it back.

“Thanks, man. I won’t let you down.”

“I don’t care about myself,” he says. “Just don’t letherdown.”

I shake my head. “Never,” I say.

“I’m holding you to that.”

I chuckle, and then I change the subject. “My family is in town. I’d love for you to meet them, especially since it won’t be long before our families are joining as one anyway. I’m planning to order in Desmonds if you and Joanie would like to join us.”

“I’ll check with her, but I think we’d probably love to. But between you and me, I’ll be taking her to the club after that,” hesays, leaning in suggestively, and I laugh as I shake my head. Sohecan make the innuendoes, but I need to lay off them, I guess.

“Well I can guarantee you one thing. You won’t catch your daughter and me at your club.”

He laughs. “Thank God for that. I’ll let you know about tonight. Joanie and I have some making up to do.”

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