Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 49189 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49189 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
But seeing his face fall lets me know he’s gonna take the news harder than I thought, and for a different reason.
He sees it as me taking Vanessa from him in a way like her Dad does. But I’m not taking her away from anyone. Me claiming what’s mine and having her as my equal is the best thing for everyone.
They’ll see that in time.
I’ve buzzed reception and told them to have Vanessa and her Dad come in here.
“I’ll let Vanessa tell you about it herself, for now, in her own way,” I explain. “And when things have settled down a bit for both of us, we’ll talk more about it. But from now on, she’s mine, and I’m hers. You need to know that.”
It sounds cold, maybe even a little clinical, but over time I know Jase will get used to the idea, and it’ll all sound better with his bestie explaining herself than me talking for her. Sounding like a boss more than her lover, her new best friend, but in a totally different way to her friendship with Jase.
Vanessa’s more eager to talk to her bestie than I could have imagined, and once they pick up where they left off, firing a million questions a minute at one another, I take that as my cue to leave them to talk.
“Let’s go have a chat, Mr. Campbell. I think Vanessa and Jase have some things to talk over,” I tell him, ushering him out of my office and into an empty conference room.
“And I think I owe you an apology, Mr. Hart,” he says earnestly, offering me his good hand to shake instead of swinging it at me.
“Call me Michael,” I smile, gripping his hand warmly. Knowing I’ve picked the right man for the job.
“Nate…Nathan,” he says, introducing us properly for the first time, and we both take a seat.
I hear more of his work history and skillset, and it’s just like I thought.
What my gut told me was right.
“You can be an asset to Hart Construction, Nate,” I assure him, promising him a job that pays better than all three he has combined.
And I’m not surprised when he has a ‘what’s the catch?’ look in his eye as he stands to go, sensing my time’s precious, but only for the reason he’d never think.
I only want to be closer to Vanessa right now. We’ve both done enough work for one day.
“There’s no catch, Nate,” I promise him. “Just that the Hart family is about to get bigger, and I’d like to see you as part of it,” I tell him truthfully.
This is about as close to me asking his permission for his daughter’s hand as I’m gonna get.
My jaw is still stinging from his lucky blow. But I think the only permission I’ll need. The only blessing is Vanessa saying yes when I ask her.
“Well, I sure appreciate it,” he drawls.
I let him know to take some time. “But not too long,” I add, to think about it, and I watch him leave.
Holding his head a little higher than when he came in.
A new employee and a new friend in the making.
My father-in-law?
I groan at the title. All of them, son-in-law, CEO, boss….
None of them even come close to what Vanessa and I feel. What we have, now we’ve found each other. And I’ll be damned if I’m gonna waste another minute without her, so I make my way back to my office.
It’s no surprise to hear Vanessa and Jase as they compare notes on the finer points of losing their virginity and a dozen other things.
I raised him right. He’s a good man in the making.
Emily’s a lucky girl. I hope they’re happy together. Forever like me, and Vanessa will be.
I’ve walked in on their conversation, though, and I notice Vanessa shift her gaze to me when I walk in.
Jase is still rambling on, okay with the idea I’m ‘dating’ Vanessa, as he puts it.
“…I mean, it’s not like the two of you are getting married or something. Not like you’ll be my mom or anything, is it? I’m still your boss Nessie bestie. And don’t you forget it!” he cautions her with his usual bravado, laughing at his own comments.
Vanessa smiles up at me and mouths the words I swore to keep for another moment for her. I love you.
I walk over to the desk and end the video call as Jase starts listing off all the things he wants to see done by Vanessa, by the time he comes back, I lean in and kiss my woman.
My Vanessa.
“I love you, Vanessa,” I tell her, and then I tell her again. “And I want more than just your hand in mine. I want a ring on it. So the whole world knows you’re mine, and you know every second of every day.”