Page 56 of Her Bossy Daddy

“Would you have actually given a damn?” I finished my iced tea then searched for our waitress. She acknowledged me with a nod. I grabbed my own piece of bread, not bothering to butter it, and took a bite. “If I had told you some of the things going on with me, I doubt you would have been sympathetic to my cause.”

“I’m truly sorry you feel that way. I would have listened, but I’m not typically the supportive type. Anyhow, I also found it hard to swallow my jealousy. After you passed out at work, all of the men around the office seemed to finally see you.”

“What men?” I blinked at her like she stated the office building was on wheels and ninjas hid under every desk. “What are you talking about?”

“You really are thick-headed. Every man at the office suddenly woke up. They wondered out loud what sort of things were you into, and whether or not you were single, and imagined what you’d be like in bed. Ugh! I figured you did it all just to get some attention.”

“Attention? Are you kidding me? I’m the last person who seeks attention.” I hid a groan when Liam kicked my foot under the table. He didn’t count, though I sought his attention constantly.

“Well, whatever. I’m sorry to hear you were going through shit, and I hope it has all worked out.” Milly swallowed the last of her drink, then pushed her chair out and stood. “I don’t want to see either of you again. Lose my information. I’m moving out to San Diego to be closer to family. Maybe this will be good for me in the end. Later.” She crossed the dining room, and then she was gone.

I watched her leave with an odd feeling in my stomach. The harassment suit hadn’t been about Liam, it was all centered around me. Shit.

“Don’t go there, love. I know exactly where your head just went.” He squeezed my hand. “Milly has a brilliant mind, but she’s got an awful disposition. We’re both still employed. Let it go.”

“Fine, but I don’t like any of this.” I bit down on my lip.

“You couldn’t have changed her course, Lacey. She had some awful thoughts running through her head. Don’t blame yourself.”

I squeezed his hand back, but I wasn’t entirely sure about his statement. The waitress came over and dropped off the check, but he plucked it off the table before I could grab it. “Are you ever going to let me do anything?”

“You get to do lots of things.” Liam cocked an eyebrow. “Besides, we only had appetizers. Nothing fancy.”

“I was really worried our job would force you to return home.” There. I shared for once without him threatening to stick me in the corner for not doing so.

“I’ve explained it to you a few times, so maybe listen this time? I’ve been granted the opportunity to work here for a bit, love, but then I have to go back to Ireland. I’m not entirely sure when, but it’s not anything to worry about. When the time comes, we’ll figure it out.”

“What would it take for you to stay?”

He stared at me for a long time, at least it felt like a long time, then he pressed his lips to the back of my hand. “What would it take for you to come back to Ireland with me?”

I blinked at him, dumbfounded. The thought never ever occurred to me. Leave the United States? I didn’t have any family around who would miss me. What about Raegan? The two of them had just reconnected after all this time. Would she ever move back home? I shook my head. “I don’t know.”

“It’s not quite an easy answer, is it, love?”

“No, I guess not. There are a lot of factors to consider for both of us,” I kissed his hand, and then let go. “Your sister is probably anxious to know how lunch turned out.”

“Rae is more anxious to find out if you need a lawyer, love,” he smirked. “Everything is working out as it should. Let’s go.” Liam got up and pulled my chair out for me. It was such a sweet gesture, and it made my heart flutter just a bit. I laced my fingers in his hand, and we left the restaurant. Both my heart and my head felt lighter than they had in weeks.

* * *

Raegan sat outsideon the porch swing, and she eyed us as we got out of the car and walked up and onto the porch.

“Do you need a lawyer to get you out of an assault charge, love?” she called over to me.

“Nope,” I assured her with a smile, and Liam chuckled over my shoulder.

“Guess it went well then. What do you think, big brother? How’d lunch go?” She nodded to Liam.

“I thought it was necessary, but Milly didn’t really get into details. She claimed she’d gone after me because Lacey had become distracted at work, but nothing really meshed. It doesn’t matter anymore. Milly is moving to the other side of the country. She won’t bother us again.” Liam lit up a cigarette.

“Well, at least it’s done and over with,” Raegan agreed. “What else is on your mind? I can tell something is.” She eyed me suspiciously but I shrugged.

“Would you consider moving up here?” Liam boldly threw the question out.

“What?” She blinked up at him, and then glanced at me. “I belong to a practice down in Richmond. I can’t just give up on the firm in hopes of finding something up here.”

“Reese Nolan, the defense lawyer from the case is getting up there in age. We were talking yesterday and he said he’s looking to hand his firm over to someone. He saw a fierce force in you during the case, and he’d asked me if you were looking for a new firm. He’s an old friend of the family in case you don’t remember him.”

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