I smiled. “I’ll buy you a new one.”
“I don’t need you to buy me anything.”
“I know you don’t, but it doesn’t mean I won’t.”
“You need to take a shower.”
I grinned again. “You should join me. You know, to make sure I get everything off.”
“I have a feeling that isn’t the only thing you’d be getting off.”
I laughed and backed away, leaving her with the residual effect of my touch.
My appearance brought me back to another place and time when she undeniably loved me, immediately making me regret the choices I’d made when it came to us. I tried not to let my mind wander to any of that. She knew where I stood, and all I could do was wait for her to come to me. After today, I hoped it’d lead her in the right direction.
Into my arms.
My life.
Our future as a family.
Capri walked into my office, where I’d be making the announcement of Locke Enterprises going public.
“Daddy, what does going public mean?”
I smiled. My daughter’s thirst for knowledge resembled mine. “It means my company is going from a private entity to a public one where people can buy shares to make money.”
“Oh…” She scratched her head. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s a bit confusing. You’d have to learn about the stock market.”
“Daddy, will you teach me?”
“Of course, baby.”
“Good.” She nodded. “Because I want to be just like you.”
I beamed, hearing her say that made my heart soar every time.
“So you’re going to tell the cameras, and then what?”
“They’re going to ask questions.”
“What kinds of questions?”
“Number, stats, reports—boring stuff like that.”
“Are they going to ask you about us?”
“More than likely.”
She cocked her head to the side. “What are you going to tell them?”
“What would you like me to tell them?”
“Hmm…” She thought about it for a second. “I think you should tell them all about us.”
“I think you’re right.”
“Daddy.” She sat on my lap, playing with my tie. “Can I be in the announcement with you?”
“If you’d like.” At least one of my girls wanted to be seen with me.
Her eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Of course.”
“Yay! I’m going to go change into my pretty yellow dress!” She jumped off my lap and ran out of my office, almost running into Autumn on her way out.
“Why is she in such a hurry?”
“She’s—”
“Mr. Locke,” the reporter interrupted. “We’ll be ready to go soon.”
I nodded.
“You clean up nice,” Autumn coaxed, bringing my attention to her. “I’ve gotten used to you looking like you used to.”
“Do you still like me all messy, kid?”
She blushed, bowing her head. “Should we go over what you need to say?”
“No,” I replied, disappointed by her changing the subject yet again. “I can handle it.”
“Okay. I’m going to go answer a couple of emails. I’ll be back toward the end of the interview.”
“Or you could stay, be in the announcement with me.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“You’re right—it’s a great idea.”
“Julian…”
“What more of a family man can I portray with you sitting beside me? It’s what we’re aiming for, right?”
“Yes, but this is your business, and I don’t need to be involved in that.”
“I’d love to have you involved in everything. Including my company. All I have is for us.”
“Okay, Casanova, I’m going to get some work in. I’ll be back in a bit to check on how things are proceeding.”
Reluctantly, I let her go. What other choice did I have in the matter? At least our daughter would be present on one of the biggest days for my business. Capri hurried into my office, wearing a yellow sundress. Her hair was in pigtails, and she was holding the stuffed animal I’d bought her.
“I’m ready, Daddy.” She posed for me. “How do I look?”
“Beautiful, exactly like you’re mother.”
She smiled, sitting on my lap. “Okay, let’s do this.”
I chuckled, I couldn’t help myself. She was fucking adorable.
Lights.
Camera.
Action.
The reporters sat in their chairs while we were behind my desk. For the next ten minutes, I made my announcement with Capri never moving from my lap. She was smiling the entire time, nodding when she thought I’d said something important, really trying to understand what I was informing the world of.
She was a CEO in the making.
“Mr. Locke, how about we address the elephant in the room?” the MSNBC reporter stated. “Who is this gorgeous little girl who has taken over your announcement?”
They didn’t know how to mind their own business on a normal day, let alone on an occasion like today. Question after question about my personal life was about to be thrown in my face. This was what Autumn wanted, and it was the least I could do after what I’d been putting her through.
“This is my baby girl, Capri,” I hugged her close to my chest.
“Hi. I’m Capri, and I’m nine-years-old, but one day, when I’m bigger, I’m going to be just like my daddy.”
I grinned, honored I’d become her hero.
“Your baby girl?” the Yahoo journalist chimed in. “Oh wow, so not only are we learning about Locke Enterprises officially going public, but you’re also telling us you’re a father?”
I nodded. “No better time than the present.”
“And who is the mother of this lovely girl?” the same journalist questioned. “Although, I don’t think you need to tell us. She looks identical to Miss Troy.”
“Then I don’t need to tell you.”
“Tell us anyway,” he added.
“Yes,” Capri replied, handling them like a pro. She must get it from her mother. “My Momma is Autumn Troy, and she’s the best publicist in all the world. My daddy is her client, and now we’re a family.”
Bringing her little hand up to my mouth, I kissed it. “I worship the ground her Momma walks on. Have for as long as I can remember.”
“That’s right!” another Fox interviewer exclaimed. “We all read The New York Times article—you two have known each other all your lives. Your relationship started when she was young, correct?”
“Something like that.”
“We know you’re a very private man, Mr. Locke, but I think we can all say we’re loving this new you. Can you tell us about your first kiss?”
“Not with my daughter present.”
Everyone laughed.
Even the loud eruption of chatter in the room didn’t steal the memory of the first time I stole her mouth.
“To follow up on that question,” Yahoo added. “In the article you said you’ve always loved Miss Troy. When did you know it was true love and she was the one?”