“What happens now?” I asked.
“Carlotta, and I are going to the police station.”
AS MUCH AS I WANTED to go with Owen, he made it pretty clear that he'd rather I didn't. I couldn't help but feel guilty about everything that's happened since I've come into his life. If only I had agreed to take Derek back. We would have gotten married, moved to New York, and he would have taken over the 'family' business.
Mister Foster might still be alive, and Owen would be able to move on with his life. The truth of the matter was, he was never planning on running the business. Maybe if I hadn't been involved, he and Derek could have made an attempt to be friends. Things would have been so much simpler if I had stuck to my original plan. Everything changes when feelings are involved.
When I pulled into my allotted parking space, I noticed a car with North Carolina plates parked beside it. My curiosity piqued, I locked the truck and headed inside. I was greeted by the doorman as always, and stepped onto the elevator with a handful of other people. The lights flashed as we ascended floors, and when I finally reached mine I found my key on the ring.
I could hear laughter coming from the living room as I stepped inside, and I set my things down onto the kitchen table.
“Morgan?” I called out, as I rounded the corner.
“We have company!” She said excitedly, as my dad stood from the couch to greet me.
“Dad!” I gushed, as I practically threw myself into his arms.
“It's good to see you too, Honey.” He chuckled.
Tears instantly filled my eyes as the weight of everything I've been going through came crashing down in a wave. He pulled me in tighter, and I only cried harder as he consoled me without words. His strong silence conveyed everything. There were no set of arms safer than my dad's. He let me cry until I couldn't anymore, and when I stopped he still held me.
He held me until I pulled away, and then he gave me a warm smile.
“I brought whiskey.”
“Wrong kind of bottle, Mister Locke.” Morgan scoffed from the couch.
My dad arched his brow in question, and I took a purposeful step back taking a deep breath.
“I'm pregnant.” I said in a voice that sounded so much smaller than my own.
His eyes grew wide in surprise, but there was no judgment there. He reached for my hands, and gave them a little squeeze.
“Are you happy?”
“A lot's happened, and I don't even know where to start.”
“How about the beginning?”
I nodded, and pulled him back over to the couch. Morgan made to leave but I reached for her hand as well. Our friendship may have been on the rocks, but if I was being honest with myself I could really use her support right now. If anything she'd make light of the situation, and make things a little easier.
I spent the next half hour telling my dad everything. From meeting Owen, to finding out Derek was his brother. I even told him what Carlotta had found. By the end of the conversation he seemed more worried about me than ever. So much so that he offered to move me back to Raleigh, and if it weren't for Owen, I may have taken him up on his offer.
“It sounds to me that this baby has a claim to that company.” My dad said. “With Derek in prison, his share would ultimately go to his next of kin. Even if your boyfriend can't get the will contested, you've got a good chance of helping him.”
“The funny thing is, he never really wanted the responsibility. I can't help but feel like I've pushed him into it.”
“Jealousy can push a man to do many dumb things, but he wouldn't be so adamant to keep his daddy's business unless he really wanted it.”
“And what about what I want?”
“What do you want?”
“Honestly? I don't even know anymore. I know that I want to be with Owen, but I have no idea what that looks like.”
“What about the boutique?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “It's Morgan's baby. Her dream. Her vision. I can work on the marketing aspect from anywhere with an internet connection.”
“You're more than just the marketing whiz, Ronnie. You're my partner.” Morgan said. “But if you truly feel that way... I'll buy you out.”
“You'll what?” I asked with surprise.
“I know the boutique was never really your thing. Most of the decisions you made were because Derek or I wanted you to make them. If I've learned anything from this trip it's that I never really let you be your own person. I can't afford to buy you out right away, but if you give me a year I know I can get the funds together.”
I shook my head. “No. I don't mind being a silent partner. I've never been much of an extrovert. You're the one who pulled me out of my shell, and made me try new things. I don't want to just walk away, but I also don't want to be the face. I thought that I did. That I'd be missing out on something, or letting you take all the credit. But I see things differently now.”
“Because of Owen.” She said knowingly. “He's been good for you Ronnie, and I'm sorry I tried to mess that up.”
My dad looked at his wrist watch then.
“I am going to meet this boy soon, right?”
“Of course.” I laughed. “He should be home shortly.”
“Home?”
“He's been staying with us.” Morgan said nonchalantly.
As if on cue the door to our apartment opened, and the man in question stepped inside. The grin on his face was undeniable. I stood to greet him, and in just three long strides he was in
