10. Ronan
Chapter 10
Ronan
I stand next to my son, Oscar, and his wife while pretending to listen as he talks about the baby’s sleeping patterns.
My gaze keeps drifting to Lucia. She’s standing in the garden. The sunlight making the golden streaks in her dark hair shimmer.
She’s standing with Romeo Evans, a hockey player for the New York Stars, and throws her head back, laughing at something he says. I know she is trying to piss me off. It’s working. And unfortunately, Romeo looks extremely interested in her.
“Why did you bring your hockey team mate, Oscar?” I ask my son.
“Nadia thinks him and Lucia are alike and looking at the way she is smiling at him, I reckon she’s right, don’t you?”
Nadia leans forward and whispers, “And because we knew Dad had invited him.” She nods toward Lucia’s ex Jack, who hovers nearby. “We thought we’d get involved.”
I glance at Jack, and my blood boils when he steps closer to her.
Her father, Niall, told me he’s trying to get them back together. I know I have no right to the way I feel, but the thought of her with that cheating bastard makes me want to punch something.
“She’s old enough to look after herself,” I tell them while gritting my teeth.
Lucia glances our way, a shy smile playing on her lips before she turns and walks toward the house.
Jack reaches for her arm, but she shakes her head and says something I can’t hear.
My muscles tense, ready to intervene, but she handles it herself and disappears inside.
“Ronan,” Niall calls out. “Come join us for the family photo.”
I head to the garden where everyone’s gathering. Niall positions me next to my ex-wife, Jennifer. I clench my jaw. She stands too close, her perfume bringing back memories I’d rather forget.
“We should have dinner sometime,” Jennifer says after the photos. “Catch up properly.”
“Too busy.” I step away, scanning the crowd for Lucia.
When I don’t find her there, I head into the house.
I find her in the living room, talking with Romeo again. He’s young, handsome, and successful. I catch my reflection in the mirror. The silver in my hair is more prominent than ever, the lines around my eyes deeper.
Why would she want someone like me?
When Romeo leans in close to whisper something in her ear, I can’t watch anymore.
I grab my keys and head for the door, leaving the celebrations behind.
It’s been three days since I saw Lucia at her family’s home and every day should get better, instead it feels harder. I’ve picked up my keys too many times between then and now, desperate to beg her to give me a chance, but something always stops me.
Even now, as I sit at my desk in the club’s private office, shuffling through the stack of paperwork for this weekend’s auctions, I’m tempted to pick up the phone and call her. Not text her with a time but just talk to her.
I sigh as my fingers skim over the NDAs, making sure each one is signed and dated.
“The STD test results are all back and cleared,” my brother Caleb informs me.
“Good. Make sure the contracts are ready for me to review and sign off on.” I hand him the stack of papers.
“We’re waiting for the new contracts to arrive. Miss Simmons sent me a note to say she’d email them before the close of business today.”
I nod and he heads out of the office, leaving me alone with my thoughts about Lucia. It’s been three days since I last saw her, and the ache to be near her is constant.
But like the universe is ensuring I keep my dirty hands off her, my phone buzzes on the desk. Worse, when I glance down, it’s Amelia’s name that flashes across the screen.
Letting out a heavy sigh, I answer. “Hi.”
“Hi, Dad. How are you?” Amelia’s cheerful voice fills my ear. A lot different from the last time I spoke to her.
“Fine. How are you and Olivia?” I lean back in my chair, trying to focus on the conversation.
“Did you know Olivia is a really good dancer? I never knew—” Amelia pauses, and I can picture the thoughtful expression on her face. “Strange, considering she is so focused on becoming a doctor.”
“I don’t know what is strange about it considering I paid for years of dance classes.”
“I mean really good, considering her job is so stuffy.”
Olivia is my wonder child, the one who is extremely academic. She was never pushed like Lucia was—she’s just gifted; I suppose. Next year she’ll be a resident doctor in Boston. Another two years and she’ll be fully qualified—just like her mother.
Amelia, on the other hand, thinks being an Instagram influencer is the way to make money. Shame she comes to my house once a week to make her content.I glance down at the paperwork in front of me. “You two are very different.”
The door to my office opens, and Caleb steps in, holding a single document. “The updated contract from the lawyer just came back. You’ll need to review and sign off on it.”
I wave him over, taking the contract from his outstretched hand. As my eyes scan the document, my heart drops to the floor at seeing Lucia’s name listed as the primary lawyer.
“Dad? Are you still there?” Amelia’s voice pulls me from my stunned silence.
“Uh, yes, I’m here.” I clear my throat, trying to regain my composure. “Sorry, I just had something come up that I need to take care of. Is there anything else you need?”
“No, I just wanted to check in. No, I wanted to say I’m sorry. I had no right to go off on you like that.”
“I get it. I hurt you—”
“You did.” She sighs. “Oh, and I’m staying in Boston for a bit.”
“Really!”
“Yeah! I want to be closer to Olivia and as the lease on the apartment is ending, I emailed Lucia to let her know I wasn’t re- signing. I’m looking for an apartment here in Boston. I can sleep on Olivia’s couch for a few weeks, but—”
“Good for you.” Normally, I’d be the one who offered to transfer what I pay for her rental lease to another apartment. I don’t. If my daughter is adult enough to decide on my relationships, she is adult enough to pay her own way.
She’s silent.
“I’ll come and visit you and Olivia in a couple of weeks. Or maybe we could all meet up in New York. I haven’t been to the New York club or watched one of Oscar’s games for a while. Maybe I can get my three kids together for dinner one night.”
“Yeah. Okay. See you later, Dad.”
The car nears my home in The Gables as I scroll through the last of the contract on my tablet, noting the changes. My finger hovers over Lucia’s name. I hit it.
It’s three long rings before she answers. I suspect she doesn’t want to.
“Potter and Associates, Lucia Simmons speaking.”
My back shackles because she knew full well it was me calling. I keep my cool and professionalism, just as she is. “Hello, Miss Simmons. It’s Mr. Bridge here. I’ve checked the extra details on the contract. Most of the changes look good.” My voice sounds rougher than intended.
“I’m glad they meet your requirements, Mr. Bridge.” Her professional tone cuts deep.
“There is one thing I’d like to discuss.”
“Go on.”
“If the buyer was to try to pull out before making the purchase, does the wording allow for that? Because the way I read it, it does. But as per auction conditions, that shouldn’t be allowed.”
She sighs. “I’ll take another look at it and I’ll tighten the wording.”
“Thank you.” I stare at the landscape as my driver continues into the private estate.
“Was there anything else you needed clarification on?” she asks.
“No.” I shift in the back seat of my car. “How are you?”
She doesn’t answer.
“Lucia.”
“Is there something else you need, Mr. Bridge?” she asks. Her voice is so sharp, it cuts.
“Drop the Mr. Bridge.”
“I’m busy. But I’ll have the final revisions for you by tomorrow morning. After that, Jessica Green will handle any additional changes. She’ll be taking over your account starting next week.” Her voice flattens a little.
My chest tightens. “Why?”
“Because I can’t do this, Mr. Bridge.”
“What?”
“Speak to you. Think about you. And every time I see your name, I do just that. I’m taking some time off and when I get back, I might feel different and look at us for the opportunity you gave me, rather than—”
“Than what?”
“Than how you made me feel.” I hear her deep gulp. “And I left you a present.” The line goes dead.
The car pulls up to my house. A package sits by the front door, wrapped in brown paper. Inside, I find a hand-painted portrait of a large hand wrapped around a slender neck, and the sun setting in the background.
My throat closes up.
The note reads:
You need a splash of color in your life.
I slam my golf club into my bag. “Damn slice.”
“You’re off your game today.” Caleb stares at me as we jump into the cart and head toward the clubhouse.
“Just tired.” The truth is, I haven’t slept properly since Lucia left my life.
Inside, Niall waves us over to his table. “You boys took your time. Another round?”
“Whiskey.” I drop into the chair. “Neat.”
“Make that two,” Caleb adds.
“Lucia’s moving to Hunter Beach.” Niall’s words hit me like a punch to the gut. “When she gets back from wherever the hell she’s gone.”
I grip my glass tighter.
“All she would tell me was Europe.” He picks his drink and takes a sip.
“What?”
“She left for Europe yesterday.” Niall shakes his head. “I don’t know what she is thinking. Jack offered her everything if she moves to New York. He has a penthouse apartment. He’s talking about marriage. But no, my daughter wants to travel around Europe and look at art.”
“Why do you want her to go back to that cheating bastard?” The words burst from my mouth before I could stop them.
“It was once, and he promised never to do it again.” Niall waves his hand dismissively.
“Are you for real?” I lean forward. “He cheated.”
“It doesn’t matter. She’s adamant about moving away. Says she needs space to think, breathe and paint or some other nonsense.”
“Let her be,” Caleb interjects, shooting me a warning look. “She’s old enough to make her own choices.”
“I will let her have her vacation, but when she gets back. I’m not letting her throw away this opportunity.” Niall downs his drink.
My knuckles turn white around my glass. The thought of Lucia with Jack makes my blood boil. But I have no right to feel this way. I’m the one who ended things.
“Another round?” Caleb asks, clearly trying to change the subject.
I shake my head. “I should head back to the office.”