Page 105 of Fall I Want
“Has Harper been here?” I ask.
“Yes, she left thirty minutes ago,” Christopher states. “She forgot her phone on the plane.”
I shake my head. “No wonder I haven’t heard from her.”
The nurse cracks open the door and waves me in. “He’s awake.”
I reach out for Autumn, but she shakes her head. “I can stay out here.”
“Absolutely not,” I say. “I want my dad to meet the woman I’m marrying.”
She bursts into laughter. “Stop with that.”
“No way,” I say with a grin. “One day, I’ll remind you how you laughed when I said that.”
“Remind me how cocky and confident you were too.”
I lean in and whisper in her ear, “You fucking love it.”
Her cheeks redden and it’s the confirmation I needed.
We enter and the nurse excuses herself after she adjusts my father’s pillows. He’s awake, watchingStar Trekon the tiny television hung on the wall.
“Son,” he says with surprise in his tone. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
My dad’s eyes wander toward Autumn.
“Dad, this is Autumn. My girlfriend,” I proudly say. It feels natural and real. Have the lines already blurred too much? She agreed to be mine until January.
All I needed was the chance to prove to her that I’m actually the man of her dreams. She’s giving me that now.
“Ah, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Ambrose. Most call me Alexander.”
“Very nice to meet you,” she says sweetly while smiling.
Dad glances between us, and I know he wants to say more but doesn’t.
“How are you feeling?” I need to fill the awkward silence that draws on.
“Perfectly fine.”
I meet his eyes. He looks exhausted. “Harper told me you had a heart attack.”
“It was gas, nothing major. However, my blood pressure is high, so they’re keeping me overnight to make sure I don’t have a stroke.”
“What?” Relief floods through me.
“Wedding jitters and beans. A painful combination, but not deadly.” He laughs.
“I’m happy to hear that,” I explain. I won’t be taking over the company as quickly as I thought, which thrills me. I always imagined when I stepped up, I’d be much older, in my late fifties. As longas my father is healthy, he will not give up his position as CEO, and I support that.
“Can we talk?” my dad finally asks.
“I think that’s a great idea. I think I need some coffee.” Autumn grins.
“Hospital coffee?” I lift a brow, not wanting her to leave but knowing she will anyway. Determination is written on her face.
