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Ian cleared his throat. “Sierra—”
“What do you want?”
“I want to get something off my chest. It’s long overdue.”
“About me?” She sat on the sectional Indian-style. “You’ve said way more than enough about me.”
“This is about me.” His thin sprigs of hair blew in the breeze. “Dash’s proposal reminded me of when I proposed to your mother.”
She sighed, sipping champagne.
“When you said yes, my mind fast-forwarded to the future. I thought about you married and having kids.” He took a deep breath. “And, me not being a part of any of it.”
She observed his tense demeanor.
“I’ve been so wrong, Sierra.” He rubbed his hands. “I realized how alone I am. You were right. We need each other. We’re the only family we got.”
The lump vanished from her throat. “Is this a joke?”
“I’m proud, determined, and stubborn. Those attributes made me rich and famous, but they also made me hurt the ones I love the most.” A tear fell. “I came here to say I’m sorry, Sierra. For all the pain I’ve caused and for not being there when you needed me. I don’t wanna miss any more precious moments. I don’t want you to cut me from of your life.”
“You are the one who pushed me away. Why?”
“You were right about me feeling guilty about how your mother ended up.” He sat on the arm of the sofa. “You reminded me of that, and I didn’t want to confront it. That was my fault, and I shouldn’t have taken things out on you. Will you forgive me so we can start over?”
“Dang.” She stared at the grayish sky that welcomed the incoming darkness. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Do you want us to move forward?”
“I never wanted us to be in this situation.” She set her glass on the table. “I want nothing more than us to be a family.”
He smiled.
“But, you hurt me, Dad. You hurt me to the core, and I can forgive but it’s going to be a long time before I forget. I have to trust that you’re gonna be there for me no matter what.”
He nodded, wiping tears. “I understand.”
“But, you making an effort is more than I hoped for.”
He thrust his large arms around her, providing a sense of warmth and protection only a true father could. “I love you, baby.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me.” He loosened his hold. “I’ll never dessert you again.”
“You can’t just be there when things are going good. I need a father always.”
“And, he’s here.” He stroked her cheek. “I’m not going anywhere. I was thinking about your therapy and maybe I’d try it too.”
She gasped. “You in therapy?”
“I need to work on myself. We can try family counseling too if you’re up for it.”
“I’d like that.”
Dash walked out. “You two okay?”
“Yeah.” Sierra smiled at Ian and he kissed her hand. “For the first time in a long time, we are.”
“That’s wonderful,” Dash said. “I knew you two would work things out.”
“It was time, and I had to make the move.” Ian tugged on Sierra’s hand. “Besides, someone has to walk my baby girl down the aisle.”
Sierra hugged him.
****
“Dash’s proposal broke the Internet.” Gabrielle sat on her couch, searching the entertainment sites. “The video is everywhere.”
“Damn, Dash.” Hugh stood at her stove, shirtless, flipping the fat beef patties. “Making us men look bad.”
Gabrielle laughed, entering the kitchen. “He knows how to sweep a girl off her feet.” She got a cluster of green grapes from the fridge and sat by the island. “He proposed to Sierra on live television.” She popped a tangy grape into her mouth. “I’ve never seen something so romantic.”
Hugh turned to the side, tending to the meat. “You wish I’d do something like that for you?”
“You gotta admit Dash is smooth.” She chewed. “But, I don’t need the bells and whistles. You cooking that meat is hotter than Dash’s little proposal.”
He grinned.
“I’m dead serious.” She sauntered toward him and hugged him from behind. “A famous, sexy director making hamburgers in my kitchen? What more can a girl want?”
He lifted a patty. “You said well done, right?”
“Hell yes.” She pinched his side. “I don’t eat that rare mess.”
“Why not?” He took out a fleshy patty that looked as if it were still mooing. “Nothing better than a rare burger.”
She grimaced, stomach turning. “That thing’s still alive.”
He laughed, laying it on a paper towel to drain. “And, yours is gonna taste like a coaster.” He turned around, holding her. “If I could hold you in my arms forever it wouldn’t be long enough.” He kissed her neck. “One day I’ll be proposing to you.”
She smiled. “I might say yes.”
“I want to enjoy every moment with you.” He groped her backside. “I’ll make you happy for the rest of your life, Gabby. I promise.”
“We got a lot going on.” She lay her head on his chest. “With starting the movie soon and all. Think our relationship can handle it?”
“Oh, yeah.” He touched her hair. “We can handle anything.”
“Can I ask you a question?” She lifted her head. “Was there ever a time when you wanted to stop pursuing me?”
“Never.” He turned off the stove and swooped her in his arms.
“Whoa.” She laughed, kicking. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like?” He carried her to the hall.
“Our burgers are getting cold.”
“Yeah, but I’m hot.” He trekked to her bedroom, holding her as if she were Jane and he Tarzan.
“Why, Mr. Macintosh.” She touched her forehead, faking a sigh. “What in the world do you plan on doing with me?”
He kicked open the bedroom door, a fiery grin overtaking his lips. “Anything I damn well please.”
THE END
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