Page 141 of Lavish
“You deserve that. You do.”
He straightened his spine but didn’t stand, like part of him was bracing for something heavier. I tangled my fingers in Doughboy’s hair deeper.
“Just…prepare yourself.”
My brow furrowed.
“For what?”
He gave me that look I remembered from childhood—the one he gave before he handed out consequences he didn’t agree with, but stood by anyway.
“You know your mother,” he said gently. “She doesn’t take change lightly.”
He paused, then added, “But you need to tell her. Not me.”
“Why not you?” I asked.
He shook his head. “You need to step into your power. Finish what you’ve started.”
Finally, Daddy released me, standing up to his full height.
“I’ll let you get back to it,” he said, voice low. “But I meant what I said. I’m proud of you, Serena. I always have been. I just didn’t say it enough.”
He turned, heading toward the door. I stood frozen, Doughboy still curled in my lap like a warm weight. I shook my head, placed Doughboy on the couch, and shot up.
“Daddy—wait.”
He paused in the doorway.
I rushed toward him before I could second-guess myself and wrapped my arms around him. He stilled for a moment. Then his arms came around me, strong and sure. A real hug. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d gotten.
“I love you, Rena,” he.
I swallowed hard. “I love you too.”
Releasing me, he took a step back, and started to leave but paused, and turned.
“Wait, why were you at the polo match?”
My chest tightened, but I forced a small shrug.
“I was tracking a potential acquisition,” I lied. “Someone said some of my leads might be looking to offload a few properties.”
He squinted slightly, not fully convinced.
“Spur of the moment.”
“Hmm.” He didn’t press further.
“But I am late,” I said, ushering him out the door.
He nodded, before turning and saying, “Listen to your heart.”
“That didn’t take you long,” I said, stepping back into Dante’s office.
“I admit, I was very,verycurious about your situation.” Dante leaned back in his seat. “I just had to know what happened. It’s like a soap opera.”
I pressed my lips together, taking the seat across from him. “You watch soap operas?”
