Page 2 of Educating Arrogant Mr. Hunter

“No.” She sobbed harder. Her crying muffled her next words.

My heart squeezed painfully. Whatever was hurting her, I’d do anything to make it better. Anything. She’d already had to deal with so much this year. “Talk to me, Zo. I can’t help if I don’t know what’s wrong.”

“It’s ruined!” she mumbled around a heaving breath.

“What’s ruined?” I leaned back in my seat.

“My dress. And we don’t have time to order a new one.” She sniffed into the phone.

“Don’t you have another one you can wear?” I knew she had plenty to choose from in her closet.

“You don’t understand!” Her voice pitched higher. This was not my even-keeled little Zoey. She didn’t often have tantrums, so I knew there was more to what was happening.

“You’re right. I don’t.” I took a deep breath. Sometimes dealing with my daughter was more complicated than a billion-dollar business deal. “Which dress, baby?”

“My Halloween dress.” My phone dinged. I opened Zoey’s message, seeing the massive rip down the side and another in the front. I didn’t even want to ask how it happened.

Shit. I didn’t have time for this today.

I rubbed a hand over the back of my neck. She was right. There was no way to order a new dress in time. Tonight was Halloween.

“Let’s run to the costume store in Garden City and find something else for you.”

“No—” She wept harder, her breath shuddering with each inhale. “Ithasto be this one.”

It had to be this one?

Damn it! The reason hit me like a freight train. While Heather was getting treated for cancer, she and Zoey would plan out what they’d do for each holiday this year. It was a way for them to pin their hopes on Heather making it that long.

For Halloween, they were going to dress as characters from Encanto. Zoey was Mirabel, and I was Bruno.

I checked my watch. It was already 2:45 p.m. I needed to leave now in order to get to the meeting with Wren on time at 3:15 p.m. A meeting I had to miss. “I’m leaving right now. I’ll call my tailor and find a way to get him to fix it for you.”

She sniffed loudly. “Really, Daddy?”

“Really, baby.” I sighed. “Just have the dress ready when I swing by to get it, all right?”

“Yes, I promise. I’ll wait by the door for you.”

I chuckled. “I don’t think you need to do that, you goose. Why don’t you play or read a book? I’ll call when I get close.”

She sounded so serious. “We can’t waste any time. Halloween night is almost here, and I don’t want to miss a minute of it. And you promised to take me to Ruby’s bakery.”

I sighed as a pang filled my chest. I’d have to face Grayson. He and Ruby were a couple, and I’d promised to take Zoey to the party before our friendship had fractured. “Okay, Zo, I’ve got to go so I can call Frank.”

“Okay. And Daddy?”

“Yes?”

“I love you. You’re the best daddy in the whole world. Thank you.” Now sounding calmer, her voice was like a balm to my soul.

“I love you, too. I’ll be there soon.” I’d make this work.

We hung up, and I popped in my earbuds. I dialed my tailor as I grabbed my coat and headed out the door to the elevators. He’d performed miracles with the suits he created. I only hoped he could do the same for Zoey’s costume.

My secretary waved goodbye to me as I passed her on my way to the elevator.

The phone rang three times before a familiar voice answered. “Frank, it’s Beckett Hunter. How are you?”

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