Page 85 of Grumpy Boss in Love
Henry’s eyes widened a fraction, as if stunned by the greeting. Then, he smiled. “Ruby.”
I was engulfed in a bear hug. I was frozen at first because I wasn’t expecting the embrace, but I relaxed and hugged him back, fighting back tears the entire time. It wasn’t even awkward. It felt so good because it was something I’d craved as a kid. A hug from my dad. I didn’t want to let go.
When I finally forced myself to release him before I scared him away, I wiped away tears. Sniffing, I laughed. “I’m sorry. I’ve been told that I’m emotional and dramatic. All absolute truths.”
Henry chuckled. “It’s okay. I’m relieved. I think you’re the only one who likes me. Cassandra and I interact often, but she still gives me the side eye.”
“She gives everybody the side eye,” I assured him. “Please, have a seat. I’m glad you came.”
As we took our seats, I gazed across the table at Henry. I couldn’t stop looking at him as if I was afraid he’d disappear from my life again. “I can’t believe you came all the way to Nebraska.”
“You said you wanted to see me. I wanted to see you too. I was delighted that another of my daughters wanted to meet with me. I would have flown to Antarctica if that’s where you were.”
I smiled. Henry wasn’t what I expected. I’d always had this impression of him as being cold and hardened. One had to be that to abandon his family. But he was so… warm, and it had me perplexed. I was stuck in my thoughts, so it got quiet, leaving room for the awkwardness to trickle in.
Henry rubbed the back of his neck. “Um… I suppose you wanted to meet outside of Oakland because of your sisters? Do they know about this meeting?”
April, Tessa, and Lucy weren’t ready to interact with him as Cass and I were. “Yes, and yes. They don’t mind that Cass and I want to reconcile with you, but they’re not ready.” His gaze lowered to the table, but I caught the regret in his eyes. “Sorry.”
“They have every right to be hesitant. I’m grateful that the two of you are willing to give me a chance.”
Maybe it was because I had no memory of what happened between Mom and Dad, so it was easier for me to let go. “What about your… other family?” I asked hesitantly. “Do they know…?”
He cleared his throat, and his face flushed. “I broke the news to my wife a few months ago. It didn’t go well. We're separated for now.”
“Oh, gosh. I’m so sorry.” I clutched my chest.
Henry tilted his head. “Sympathy for me?” His gaze moved over my face. “You’re a special girl, aren’t you, Ruby?”
My face heated under his praise. “What about your daughter?”
Henry smiled. “She was more forgiving.” He shrugged. “She’s ten. The idea of five sisters appeals to her. I don’t have the heart to tell her that meeting all of you might never happen.”
Yeah, if three out of the five of us didn't want to lay eyes on Henry, I doubted they’d be ecstatic about meeting his kid.
“I’d love to meet her one day.”
No matter what Henry did, she was an innocent child.
Henry’s eyes widened and then he smiled. “Like I said, you’re special. It’s easy to see you’ve got a heart of gold.” Sadness shadowed his face. “I’m sorry, Ruby. I should have been there to watch you grow up. It’s a long story, and I don’t want to sound like I’m making excuses…”
“Henry.” His hands were folded tightly on the table, and I placed one of mine over them. “When Cassandra looked for you, she wanted answers. Maybe if the others come around, they’ll want answers too, but I called you because I’m going through something.” My voice broke as soon as I thought about Elliot and everything that happened. A few tears escaped. “I felt like I needed my dad. Be here for me now. That’s all you owe me.” I had to purse my lips to stop myself from sobbing uncontrollably in the restaurant.
Henry nodded and turned his hands over to clutch mine. “I heard—readabout—most of what happened. It was hard not to. It’s a hot topic in the media right now.”
“Yeah. I haven’t died from the embarrassment so I might survive yet.”
He made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a groan. “How can I help?”
* * *
After we ordered lunch, I vented. Dad knew everything that happened between Elliot and me… minus the incredible sex. It wasn’t like I had to keep everything to myself now. The cat was out of the bag, and he’d heard about it on freaking entertainment news. He lived in New Jersey. The whole country was in on my humiliation.
Long after lunch and coffee—Dad liked his extra sweet and loaded with cream too—we strolled to the park a block from the restaurant, and I was still talking. “Megan called me.”
We sat on a bench, eating ice cream. I’d always wanted to go to the park and have ice cream with him. I was trying to squeeze as many of the moments I dream about us having into one day.
“Huh,” he grunted. “She has some nerve. The snitch.”