"I told you this would happen, but you just wouldn't listen." He marched inside her suite and slammed his briefcase down on table. "I hope you're happy. Thanks to you, I'm the laughingstock of the Washington Country Club."
"What's the matter?" she asked, wondering what he was ranting about. It didn't take much to set him off-a tardy client, slow-moving lines at the bank, rain-but Paris didn't have time to listen to his grievances. Not today. "Why are you so upset?"
A frown wrinkled his face. "You don't know?"
"I don't know what?"
"You've gotten yourself into a fine mess...." Mumbling, he snapped his briefcase open and scooped up a stack of newspapers. "Baby Makes Three for Morretti Millionaire!" he read, then flung the paper clear across the floor. "Shipping Heir Delivers his Own Baby! Morretti Secret Love Child! Wedding Bells for Washington Bachelor..."
The room flipped upside down and the walls closed in around her. That's impossible. It can't be. Rafael loves me and only me.... Paris couldn't breathe, couldn't think straight. Her thoughts were jumbled and nothing made sense.
Bending down, she picked up one of the discarded newspapers and stared at the bold black headline. Baby Makes Three for Morretti Millionaire... Her stomach heaved and her heart lurched inside her chest. The story was shocking, impossible to believe. As she read the article a headache pulsed in her temples. Her mouth dried, and for the second time in minutes, tears pricked the backs of her eyes.
Realization dawned, and suddenly everything made sense. Rafael didn't come to the Women's Business Expo yesterday because he was with Cicely and the baby-his baby, the child I knew nothing about. A crippling pain stabbed Paris's heart. Choking back a sob, she willed herself not to break down in front of her father. Her knees buckled under the weight of her sadness, and she dropped down onto the couch when her legs gave way.
How could Rafael be dating me and Cicely at the same time? There are only twenty-fours in a day, and when he's not at work, he's with me. They spent every available moment together, and Rafael treated her like his number one priority, as if their relationship was all that mattered. That's what made his deception all the more shocking. Rafael's a lying, cheating snake, just like my ex. I'm better off without him.
"We need to release a statement to the press." Her father glanced at his gold wristwatch. "You can write something up in the limo on the way to the airport."
"The airport?" Paris raised an eyebrow. "Where are we going?"
"To Atlanta, of course."
"Seriously?"
Mr. St. Clair nodded his head. "I want to spend some time with my grandkids, and if Kennedy and Anthony will have me I'd like to attend their anniversary celebration, as well."
"Dad, I'm glad to hear you say that. That's great news," Paris said, mustering a weak smile. "They're going to be thrilled to see you. I wouldn't be surprised if Kennedy bursts into tears. She talks tough but deep down she'll always be your little girl."
"Really?" Hope sparkled in his eyes. "Even though I haven't been a good father?"
"Your heart is in the right place, and that's all that matters."
Mr. St. Clair crossed the room and sat beside Paris on the couch. "I took the rest of the month off work, and I rescheduled the charity gala, as well. It was the right thing to do."
His announcement blew her mind. Paris was shocked by the news, and for a split second thought he was pulling her leg. Her father lived and breathed work, often slept in his office and hadn't taken a day off in years. "When did you have a change of heart?"
He sent her a wry smile. "After you walked out on me."
Feeling ashamed, Paris cast her gaze to the floor and fiddled with the belt on her robe.
"I gave some serious thought to what you said," he confessed, his tone solemn. "I didn't want to admit it, not even to myself, but you were right. If your mother were alive she'd be angry with how I've treated you and your brother and sister...."
Paris turned and faced her father. Talking to him helped take her mind off Rafael, and as he spoke she found herself hanging on to every word that came out of his mouth.
"I never expected to be a single father, and I screwed up a lot after your mother passed away." He blew out a deep breath and dragged a hand down his face. "When your brother dropped out of college and your sister got pregnant, I lost it. I didn't want you to go down the wrong road. So I shipped you off to Spelman and purposely isolated you from them."
They sat in silence for a moment, listening to the distant sound of morning rush-hour traffic.
"Dad, I'm not a nineteen-year-old girl anymore," Paris said softly. "I'm a grown woman, and you have to start treating me as such. I have my own hopes and dreams for the future-"
"I know. That's why I made you my second in command." Mr. St. Clair gave her a one-arm hug. "When I retire in a few years, Excel Construction will be yours. I'm expecting you to take the company to the next level."
"I don't want to be a senior executive for the rest of my life. I want to start a beauty salon franchise." The truth fell easily from her mouth, shocking them both. But as she spoke, her confidence grew and her fears dissipated.
"Why? You opened a shop several years back, and it failed miserably, remember?"
How can I forget when you keep reminding me?
"It's too risky, and besides, doing beauty treatments is beneath you. You're a college graduate with a great mind for business. Not a lowly nail technician."
"But I love doing it," she argued. "I'm damn good at it, too."
"What makes you think this time around will be different?"
His tone was filled with doubt, but Paris didn't let his response dampen her spirits. It was time to spread her wings, to live her passion, and she refused to let anyone-even her father-kill her dreams. She believed in herself. "I'm older and wiser now, and I have twelve years of management experience under my belt." Paris lifted her chin, meeting his gaze head-on. "I have what it takes to be a success."
Mr. St. Clair stroked his chin reflectively. After several moments he slowly nodded. "Send me your business proposal, and I'll look it over next week."
"Really?" Paris raised an eyebrow and dropped a hand on her hip. "Who are you and what have you done with my father?"
Throwing his head back, he laughed long and hard. "I'm always looking for exciting new ventures to invest in, and if you have a well-thought-out plan, I'll be your first backer."
"Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate your support."
Paris settled back into the cushions. Her gaze fell on The Washington Post and she again zeroed in on the salacious headline. She wanted to call Stefano to find out if he'd heard from Rafael but knew better than to do so when her dad was around. For the first time in years they were having an honest-to-goodness talk. She wouldn't dare ruin the moment.
"The charity gala has been rescheduled for June, and I want the entire family to be there." Mr. St. Clair patted her hands. "It's a big night for Excel Construction and the Soldiers' Angels organization, and I want us to present a strong, united front."
"Speaking of family, I would like you to consider hiring Anthony to work in our IT department. He's a hard worker with a wealth of experience, and I think he would be a great asset to our Atlanta office."
"Good idea. I'll discuss it with him this weekend."
Mr. St. Clair stood and pulled his cell phone out of his suit jacket. "You better get cleaned up. Our flight leaves at noon and it's almost nine o'clock."
Paris didn't know what to do. She was supposed to fly to Miami with Rafael first thing tomorrow morning. But now that he had Cicely and the- Paris's mind tripped over the word baby, and tears stung her eyes once again. She had believed with all her heart, with every fiber of her being, that her old college sweetheart was The One. Rafael understood her, knew her inside and out and brought out the very best in her. Paris often dreamed of them being together forever. But how...when he has a new family?
Deep in thought, she failed to hear the door open, but when a spicy, piquant scent of cologne filled the air, her eyes widened in surprise. Rafael! She glanced over her shoulder, spotting him standing beside the end table, and blinked back tears. Relief flowed through her body, and all the stress and tension of the past twenty-four hours evaporated into thin air.