Page 48 of The Fiancé Hoax
Felicity squirmed in her seat. “Dad, what are you doing here?”
“Well, I came to find out why you went against my request to stay away from my investors.” His sharp eyes swept over the dinner table, taking in the cozy vibe. “But now I’m wondering what you’re doing here. I expected to find you talking business, not having a family dinner.”
I threw my napkin on the table. “Girls, time to go upstairs.”
Eva sighed. “Man, we never get to hear anything good.” She pushed away from the table and left the room with Lily behind her. I heard their footsteps as they raced upstairs to their bedroom.
When the girls were out of earshot, Marsh turned to me. “What the hell is going on here?”
I leaned back in my chair, refusing to take his bait. “Dinner.”
“Damn it, Cooper, don’t toy with me.” His eyes flicked between Felicity and me. “Are you sleeping with my daughter?”
I paused. Marsh was pissed, and I had to tread delicately.
“Marsh, take a load off. Have a glass of wine. There’s nothing devious going on. Felicity’s here because she’s helping me out in exchange for my help with her boutique.”
Felicity nodded hopefully.
Marsh scoffed. “Felicity’s helping with those girls?” He crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s a crock. She hates kids.”
Felicity cleared her throat and turned to me. “It’s true I never liked kids that much. Until Eva and Lily.”
Something warm flooded my heart, and I forced myself to look away from her.
Marsh shook his head. “I can’t believe this.”
He spun on his heels and began to pace through the dining room. While his back was turned, Felicity slipped off the engagement ring and put it in her pocket.
“I don’t know what’s going on here,” Marsh said, turning to face Felicity again. “But I don’t like it. I already forbade you from approaching my clients.”
“I know. But this was important, Dad.”
I stood up and pushed the chair out. “I needed a new project, Marsh. You know how stagnant things have been lately. Ever since the Sullivan brothers bailed out.”
Marsh harrumphed. Exactly the response I wanted. “You bailed on them.”
“They wanted eighty percent, Marsh. You and I both know I couldn’t live with that. I’m not a charity.” I crossed the room, gesturing for Marsh to follow me. “Come on, let’s have a drink.”
My strategy worked, and Marsh reluctantly went to my study with me.
Anything to get him away from that family dinner. My dining room suddenly felt like a crime scene.
“Whiskey?” I asked as I shut the door to the study behind us. Marsh nodded, and I poured us each a glass.
Marsh accepted the liquor and sat on the leather couch near the window. “If you hadn’t reneged on the Sullivan deal, none of this would be happening.”
I took a sip of my whiskey, considering my words carefully. “I’m going to help Felicity’s business, Marsh.”
Marsh sighed. “I'd rather you didn't.”
I sat on the armchair in the corner. “Moonstone Boutique has potential. Felicity just needs some help for a while.”
He scoffed. “No one should need help in business. If they do, they're not cut out for it.”
“You and I both know that's not true.”
“I didn’t need help. And no kid of mine deserves a handout.” He shook his head. “Handouts make you soft. Weak. I didn’t make it to where I am now from Daddy’s friends paying my bills.”