“She wanted to get married?”
“She wanted me to pay her more attention. She wanted to travel and enjoy life. She said I worked too much and she was right but my company was new and I was so wrapped up in it that I didn’t see what was right in front of me.”
When I saw Zoey adding more books to the pile Penny had started for her, I wondered what would have happened if I hadn’t put so much energy into building my empire. I’d be Zoey’s father in every sense of the word and Lanie would still be alive. How could I think that way when Kara was Zoey’s mother? Everything happens for a reason, even if we can’t understand what the reason is.
“Lanie was high maintenance and for a long time throwing money in her direction worked until it didn’t. It turned out she needed the one thing I couldn’t give her.”
“What was that?”
“Me.”
“I’m sorry. It sounds so tragic.”
“We’d both come to terms with our separation. That wasn’t the tragic part.”
“The manner of her death was terrible.”
“It took a lot of therapy sessions for me to accept that her death wasn’t my fault. I thought if I had been the man she had needed, she would still be alive.”
“You can’t think that way.”
“That’s what my therapist said.”
“Your therapist?”
“Dr. John.” I didn’t share that I had a therapist with many people but Kara seemed like a safe place for me. “I’ve been with him for a few years. When I first went to him, I was full of anger over my father. He abandoned me when I was a child.”
“Like Zoey.”
No, not like that at all. I hadn’t abandoned Zoey. I would never do that. She’s not talking about you. “Do you want to know what I did when I made my first million?”
“What?”
“I paid off my father’s child support debt.”
“Oh.”
“Of course, my mother didn’t want it but I can be insistent. It wasn’t the same as having him take responsibility for his kids but I was making a point. When you tell me about Josh, I have strong opinions. No man should ever abandon his kids.”
“Do you have a relationship with your dad?”
“Not at all.” He tried to reach out to me a few years ago. It had more to do with my monetary success than it did with wanting a relationship with me. “I’m better off without him.”
“Did your therapist agree?”
“The only thing my therapist agrees with me on is payment.” I laughed. “He’s great and he really helps me but he disapproves of most of my ideas. He lets me talk until I figure out where I’m headed.”
“I got lots of books!” Zoey ran toward us. “Look!” She pointed at the cart Penny pushed toward us. “See them all?”
“You’ve picked a multitude of books.” I let go of Kara’s hand.
“Mul-ti-tude.” Zoey pondered her new word.
“You’re going to make her a walking thesaurus.” Kara hugged Zoey.
“Xavier is the smartest man I know,” Penny said. “Everyone thinks so.”
“Do you want to know what it means?” I ignored Penny’s attempt at flirting. Normally, it didn’t bother me. She was a silly girl with a crush but I didn’t care for it in front of Kara.
Zoey looked up at me, waiting for my response.
“It means you have a lot of books,” I told her.
“I do! Can I get them all?” she asked. “Please?”
Did this kid really think I’m going to say no?
“Penny.” I handed her my library card. “Can you get us checked out?”
“Sure.” She took the card from me and wheeled the cart toward the circulation desk.
“I’m going to get my girls to the car.” I lifted Zoey before wrapping my arm around Kara’s waist and bringing her close to me. “Are you ready for lunch?”
“Yes!” Zoey draped her arm over my shoulder. “Chocolate shakes?”
“I’m sure that can be arranged.”
“Mama, we’re X’s girls.”
Kara had the most incredulous look on her face. I’m full of surprises, sweetheart.
“I call it like I see it.” My decision to insert myself into their lives may turn out to be one of the best things I’d ever done.
“Do you always get what you want?”
“Do you really have to ask?”
“Xavier Trapp.” A familiar, intrusive voice interrupted my moment.
“Stan Turner.” One of my biggest rivals. We’d gone against one another through the years, bidding on the same properties. I’d won four of the last five. I could have had the fifth but decided it wasn’t worth my time.
“I wouldn’t have pegged you for a family man.” He looked Kara and Zoey over. “Where have you been hiding these two?”
“Stan.” I released Kara from my hold. “These are my good friends Kara and Zoey.”
“Nice to meet you.” Kara extended her hand.
“I’m an associate of X’s.” He shook Kara’s hand and then smiled at Zoey.
“Associate is a polite word.” I shook his hand. “I didn’t peg you for a library guy.”
“Oh, I’m not.” He motioned toward the stacks. “My daughter has a project due. She’s in the reference section. I didn’t think they still used books but she insisted I bring her.”
A daughter? I had no idea. I never looked at the human aspect when I was dealing with my work. I only got to know my opponents personal lives if I could use it as some type of weakness.
“I better go see if she needs help,” Stan said. “Be prepared for next week. There’s something big coming.”
“Do you think you’re telling me anything I don’t know?” I shook my head because he was stupid to underestimate me. “I’m already on it.”
“Not if I get to it first.” He smiled at Kara. “Do me a favor, keep him away from his computer this weekend.”
“I don’t have that kind of power.” Kara gazed into my eyes.
“Then he’s a fool.” Stan nodded at me before waving goodbye to us. “I’m sure I’ll be on your radar this week.”
“Unfortunately.”
That was unexpected. We were two very ruthless businessmen with different tactics but at the end of the day, we were both fathers who would do anything for our children.
“Can we have lunch?” Zoey ran her palm along my jaw.
“We can do anything you want.”
When I placed my hand over hers, I caught Kara snapping a picture of us.
“That was too precious of a picture not to capture.” She dropped her phone in her bag. “I’ll send it to you.”
It’s all about the equation.
8
Kara
When we arrived home, X walked us to the door. We’d had the most magical afternoon. Zoey didn’t have any memories of Josh. When we were with X, it felt like we were a family. He was generous and caring. Watching him with her made me see how special of a man he was.