But it was too late.
My father had lost the suspicious glint, his body no longer tight with protection. His heart had flown back to a happier time when he met my mother and fell ass over head at first sight.
His face glowed. “You mean this is real?” He glanced between Penn and me. “This isn’t a prank? All that animosity at the start, Elle, you were just overly passionate?” He chuckled. “I remember your mother had that tenacious streak. She’d swat me for no reason on lots of occasions.” His voice grew wistful. “I miss that.”
“You’ve got it all wrong. It’s not tru—” I started.
“It’s very real,” Penn murmured. “I’ve fallen for her, and I’ve already claimed her. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind?” My father leaped upright, smacking his hands together. “I’m ecstatic. To think Elle finally has a partner to lean on. A man who comes with his own success to ensure hers isn’t taken advantage of.”
Temper percolated. He spoke as if I were some damsel who needed protection from big bad ogres rather than a very capable businesswoman.
But I couldn’t fault him for being so enamored with the idea that I would be as happy as he was with Mom. I just wished it were true. Dad and I very similar but in matters of sensibility versus dream-world, I had no tolerance for make-believe anymore.
I’d trusted that crazy spark with Nameless. I’d begged my father to help me turn the city upside down and turf out the truth. I’d cried myself to sleep more times than I could remember wishing Dad would be more helpful in finding the one man who made me feel so alive, so myself, so true in every sense.
But he’d refused.
Sure, he’d helped at the start. He’d gone with me to the local prisons and stood beside me while I garbled about hoodies and beards and alley-rescue. But his patience, that normally had no bounds, was tight and short lived.
I’d finally gotten him to admit his reluctance one night when I’d threatened to sell my shares in Belle Elle and step down if he kept road-blocking me to find Nameless.
All it had taken was two sentences to see how stubborn he was. I still remembered it clear as crystal: “I’ve indulged you for long enough, Elle. It’s time you forgot about that boy and moved on.” His face had lost its jovial love, slipping into sternness. “He’s a criminal. If you think I’d let my company be co-run by someone with a record, you don’t know our code of ethics very well.”
And that...well, that had been the end of my quest and the moment of me switching childhood for adulthood. I’d seen something pure in Nameless but my father only saw what society called him.
Even if I had found him, I would never have been allowed to bake him blueberry pancakes or let him sleep safe in the guest room. My father, for all his kindness, actually had a flaw. And it hurt me more than I could ever say.
Sadness crushed me as Dad rushed over and pumped Penn’s hand. “Congratulations. I’m so happy for both of you.” Tears glistened in his eyes as he dragged me from the couch and bear hugged me. “Bell Button, I’m so—I’m—words can’t describe how much this means to me. To know you’ll be cherished and adored and no longer be alone when I’m gone.”
His arms banded so damn tight, my lungs had no space to expand.
I patted his back, torn in pieces about doing the right thing and telling him right away or letting the lie snowball and end up killing him when the truth came out. I also nursed the three-year hurt that he’d approved Penn just because he came from wealth and success (which I had yet to find out about) and didn’t have a record. He was acceptable. Nameless was not.
As much as it would kill me to destroy his sudden elation, I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t let him believe I’d chosen the dream he had for me. This was Penn’s fault, not mine. My father’s pain would come from the asshole who thought he could lie to my father and not be reprimanded.
“Dad, can I talk to you. In private?” I shot a glare over my shoulder. “The engagement isn’t what you think. Penn and I aren’t truly getting married.”
“What?” He pulled away, his face falling into ruin. “But I thought—”
“She’s being cautious, sir.” Penn stood and joined our huddle. “She doesn’t believe in love at first sight. She thinks I’m trying to hurt you with lies.” He grinned coldly. “What she doesn’t understand is a man like me needs assurances before I fully invest myself. I need her agreement on marriage in order to fully open myself and reveal everything I have to offer.” He shook his head sadly, completely ignoring me, and continued talking to the hopeless romantic of my father. “I’m sure you understand. After all, you look like a man who has lived with a broken heart for many years.” His tone softened, but beneath it lurked glittering steel. “Your daughter has the power to break, not just my heart, but my world. Is it so wrong of me to want her hand in marriage now, so I can be brave enough to show her everything I can?”
I rolled my eyes. “That is a load of utter bull—”
“It makes perfect sense.” My father hugged me close. “Elle, I’m so proud of you and how mature you’re being about all this. I’m aware you’re more cynical than I am when it comes to love but seeing you with him—it makes me so, so happy.”
Only because you believe he’s good for Belle Elle. That he’s unsullied with gossip or misdoings—unlike another.