CHAPTER 23

Almost a month later, Tisha Morris poured two tumblers of scotch early evening and joined her husband in the living room of their mansion. She handed JB a glass and sat down across from him.

“JB, it’s time we talked about Sasha.” Tisha said sipping on the fiery liquid. She usually avoided it but needed it for the conversation she was about to have with her husband.

“I’ve got nothing to say. I’m busy.” JB said leafing through the document on his lap.

Tisha grabbed the document off his lap and narrowed her eyes. “Nonsense, you’ve got plenty to say, mostly to yourself. You can’t go on like this. You miss her, I can see it. I miss her too. The only way I get to see her is if I go to her or we meet for lunch. Are you telling me that you’re going to let me spend the rest of my life not having my daughter over for dinner?”

“She made her choice.” JB huffed swallowing the scotch down in a smooth move.

“No, JB. You made yours. She’s happy and Stefan is the reason for that. You’ve thrown yourself into your work trying to forget about her. I’ve stood by and kept quiet, but it’s time I said my piece.”

“That’s not for you to say.”

“Of course it is.” Tisha said irritably. “You’re my husband and she’s my daughter and you’re being a hard-headed mule.”

“So now it’s my fault?” JB demanded.

“No JB, it’s not your fault. Being a hard-headed mule is good thing when you’re fighting for a good cause, not when you’re applying it to your daughter. We’ve raised her right, JB, and it’s time we let her spread her wings.”

“I told you that letting her move out was a mistake.”

“For goodness’ sake JB, this isn’t the dark ages. We can’t hole our little girl up until we find a suitable suitor to hand her off to. She’s free to love who she wants, and if you could open your eyes long enough to look at their relationship, you’ll see Stefan is good for her.”

“He’s a player; he’s going to break her heart.”

“Like you weren’t before we got married?” Tisha raised her brows and JB shrunk a little under her fierce gaze. “Most men run around a little before they meet someone worth stopping for, and if I’m right our little girl is that someone for Stefan.”

“I’m not going to apologize Tisha.”

“Yes, of course. Because you’re the mighty JB Morris, who never makes a mistake?”

“Come on Tisha, it’s not like that.”

“Then prove it. At this stage, you’re cutting your nose to spite your face and I’m done mopping the floor after you.”

JB frowned at his wife. Tisha rarely got fired up and for some reason he loved her more when she did. “I’ll stop again for you.”

Tisha gave him a knowing smile. “When you’re done being a hard-headed mule I might consider something silk and lacy tonight.”

“I don’t like apologizing Tisha, it’s a weakness.”

Tisha shook her head. “You’re wrong honey, it’s a sign of strength and you’re the strongest man I know.”

“I miss her.”

“I know.” Tisha patted his knee and left him with his own thoughts hoping she had said enough.

Sasha sat at her battered desk, staring out the window. She was trying to focus on the assignment in front of her, but her mind refused to focus. She missed her father, and even though she wouldn’t admit it to Stefan she wondered if she should go see him. She didn’t regret her decision, she loved Stefan and wasn’t going to give him up, not for her father or for anyone else but it was still hard to know her father hadn’t taken her calls in almost a month. Summer holidays were starting next week and Sasha wanted nothing more than to spend the holiday free from worry and studies, but the rift between her and her father hovered over her like a dark cloud.

She was going over to Stefan’s later that evening but first needed to finish the assignment, which she hadn’t even started yet.

Her mother had promised again last week to talk to her father, but Sasha knew her father wouldn’t change his mind. She had just chosen love over her father, and although it hurt like hell, Sasha knew she had made the right decision.

The first stars started glittering against the dark purple velvet sky and Sasha thought of all the times she and her father had sat on their terrace searching for stars in the light polluted city.

Did he think of her when he saw the stars? Sasha wiped a stray tear that escaped from her cheek when there was a knock at the door.

She opened the door expecting someone looking for Kris but instead found her father standing there, with his hat in his hand.

“Can I come in?” JB Morris asked softly.

Sasha felt a glimmer of hope but didn’t want to get excited too soon. She stepped back and joined her father in the small living room.

“I was wrong, and I am here to say that I was wrong. If you know me at all you’ll know how hard it is for me to say that.”

Sasha nodded, shocked and grateful for her father’s words.

“You’ve always been my little girl and I wanted nothing but the best for you. I’m still not convinced that that is Stefan Kelson, but I’d be willing to give him a chance.”

“Daddy,” Sasha said before leaping into her father’s open arms. Sasha hugged him fiercely, grateful for his honest words, knowing how hard it had to have been for him.

JB ran his hand over her hair. “Your mother says you’re happy and I hope you are, but Sasha, if than man hurts you…”

“He won’t daddy, I love him.”

“That doesn’t mean he won’t hurt you, but I’m done not being part of your life. I know I’ve always set firm expectations and boundaries for you, and it’s always worked. But somewhere along the line my little girl grew up. I’m still coming to terms with that Sasha, so you’ll have to be patient.”

Sasha wiped at the tears now freely rushing over her cheeks. “Daddy, I’ll make mistakes, many of them, so you’ll have to be patient too. But at least I know I’ll always have you to turn to when I fall.”

“Always.” JB said kissing her head. “It’s Friday night; I’m sure you’ve got a date with Stefan so I’ll just get out of your way.”

“You don’t have to rush daddy, Stefan can wait.”

JB stood up shaking his head. “Your mother’s waiting for me.”

Sasha could swear she saw a hint of a grin as her father spoke and decided not to guess what he meant.

“Thank you for coming daddy.”

JB nodded. “Bring that boy by for dinner this week so I can grill him some.”

“Dad!”

“Don’t worry I won’t threaten him this time – well, not much.” JB smiled wickedly.