"Your love." He paused for a moment to watch Kirk's brow crease. "That's good to know. I bet Libby has suspected it, but hearing that confirmed will be good for her. Not now, but in the long run."
"Criticize me when you have children of your own. It's not as easy as you think."
"I will. But I can tell you now, if I'm lucky enough to have a child with Libby there's no way in hell I'll ever hold him or her over a barrel to get what I want." He forced himself to breathe, to talk slowly. Deliberately. "I disagree with my parents all the time. But I know, no matter whether or not we can settle an argument, they love me. I've never doubted it. Libby does."
Kirk had the decency to look shocked. "I've given her everything, how could she think I don't love her?"
"Because you won't even support her on the biggest night of her life. She's making something of herself, and you're ignoring her calls because you're too selfish to put her dreams before your own."
For a moment Paul was certain Kirk would turn him away. His lips pressed together into a flat line, his jaw locked. Tight. A vein pulsed in his forehead, breaking the frosty exterior he'd presented so far.
"I want her to go back to finish her studies."
"She might, but she might not. If she doesn't, are you prepared to cut all ties with her? Are you prepared to miss out on birthdays and Christmases and weddings because she refused to go back to school?" Paul shook his head. "You can't keep hurting her. All she wants is for you to support her, to say you care about what she wants."
"What she wants is wrong." The words sounded tough, but a crack had appeared.
Paul looked past Kirk into the fancy house. Polish boards lined the floor, and a crystal chandelier hung in the entrance along with a gilt mirror and some expensive-looking art. All this money, this fortunate life, and Kirk still wasn't happy with what he had.
It was sad.
"I'm going to ask Libby to marry me," Paul said, speaking the words as slowly and calmly as his racing mind would allow. "Tonight."
His heart pounded. The decision hadn't been made until the moment the words were out of his mouth, but nothing else in his life had ever felt so right.
"Is this you asking my permission?"
"I don't need your permission and, as much as I would like your blessing, that isn't necessary, either." He pulled his shoulders back, preparing to walk away without achieving his goal. "But I promise you that I'll take care of her the best I can. I'll support her dreams, I'll keep her safe, and I'll make sure she feels loved every single day. I'll give her what she's missing."
Kirk sighed. "You know, I don't doubt that at all."
He saw some of Libby in her father then, in the way his hazel eyes focused in while he analyzed the situation. They were both ambitious, tough. Fighters.
"I turned up at Libby's grandparents' doorstep once, too." Kirk nodded, his eyes locked onto something in the distance. "I tried to convince them to let Libby's mother back into their home after she got pregnant. I failed."
"Come along tonight, tell Libby you're happy for her. She doesn't need much, you being there will be enough."
Baby steps. Kirk might not back down on trying to convince Libby to go back to school, but they didn't have to agree on everything. Maybe if he could see all she'd achieved he would understand.
"Fine." Kirk grabbed his keys and phone from a table in the entrance and followed Paul down to where their cars were parked on the street.
The launch party had turned out even better than Libby could have imagined. She'd already been interviewed by a columnist for a major newspaper-not something she was expecting-and the blogging crowd had taken a real shine to her.
She'd posed for photos and answered questions about everything from her business model to her thoughts on cocktail and flavor trends. She'd taken selfies, swapped business cards, and had even met with one of the restaurant managers who'd turned her down initially. Turns out locally sourced, small batch product was appealing to restaurant clientele over tacky celebrity endorsement.
Still, she couldn't deny how much sweeter victory would taste if she had Paul by her side. Smoothing her hands down the front of her dress, she turned to make conversation with the man next to her, but the words died on her lips when his face registered.
"Dad?"
Her father smiled but didn't reach out to embrace her or touch her in any way. That wasn't his style. "Libby. Congratulations on your launch."
"Thank you." She swallowed, fighting back the excitement that bubbled in her chest like fizzing champagne. "I wasn't expecting you."
"No, I guess you weren't." He cleared his throat. "I would like to say … "
"Yes?"
"I'm proud of you." The words sounded as stiff as over-starched shirts, but gushing praise would never happen. This was as much as she would get from him.
She touched his arm, desperate for some physical connection. "You are?"
He nodded. "I know I can be … difficult sometimes. But I care about you."
"I appreciate that, Dad."
"And I still think you should go back to school."
Her stomach dropped. Had he really come all this way to push his own agenda? She tugged on the skirt of her dress, distracting herself from arguing with him.
"But," he continued with a sigh, "I know I could be more supportive with what you want to do. I do want what's best for you, even if we don't agree on what that is."
His words were a balm to her soul. "I love you, Dad."
"I love you, too, Libby. Now, I suppose I should try one of these drinks." He looked around, not smiling but not judging, either.
"Let me grab one for you." She flagged down a waiter and picked up a Caipiroska made with her lemon myrtle vodka. "Try this."
"I'm sorry I called it toxic cordial." He said, taking a sip.
"I know you didn't mean it." She hadn't really, but he being here now was the proof she needed to keep trying at this relationship. "I'm curious, how did you end up getting the details for tonight? I never sent you the invitation in the end."
"Someone paid me a visit." The barest hint of a smile crossed his lips. "Seems that boyfriend of yours is good for something."
Paul had ushered Kirk through the front door and then slipped into First via the staff entrance out in the alley. He wanted Libby to have a chance to talk with her father, and he didn't want to risk her seeing him until he was absolutely prepared. Though judging by the way his whole body felt like it was suffering through an earthquake, feeling prepared was a luxury he would not experience tonight.
He spotted her immediately. Through the throngs of fashionable people all dressed up and enjoying themselves, she shined like a lone star. Envy twinged in his gut as she charmed two men, making them laugh and shake their heads as she talked animatedly.
He couldn't have been prouder than if he were right there by her side.
"Paolo?"
Hearing his name caught him off guard and he turned to see his mother, watching him closely.
"Ma, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here for Libby," she said, folding her arms across her chest in a way that spoke far louder than her actual words. "I thought you weren't coming."
"I had a change of heart."
"I'm glad to see you have some sense left in your head." Her dark eyes narrowed at him. "To think you were going to leave that poor girl all alone … "
"You know that we broke up." He shook his head.
"Yes, and I know you told everyone that you weren't really engaged, but I noticed that you haven't bothered to return the ring to me." The smug smile tugging at her lips made him laugh. "I know why."
"Oh do you now?"
"You're in love with her, and you're not pretending this time."
Busted. His mother really should have been a gossip reporter. "You're guessing."
"I'm not. I know you better than anyone," she said. "You made me very sad, you know."
Great, here comes the guilt trip.
"For breaking up with her?"
She shook her head as though he'd disappointed her. "For thinking you needed to lie to me. Do I want you to get married? Yes. Do I want you to have babies? Yes. But I love you no matter what."
"Even if I stayed a bachelor my whole life?"
"Even then." She wrinkled her nose. "Don't get any ideas, though."
"I won't."
Her eyes twinkled. "Promise?"
"Cross my heart."
"I love you, Paolo. I want you to be happy, and I will support you no matter what." She sighed. "I want to support Libby, too, she's a good girl. A smart girl."
"You think she's too good for me?" he teased.