Picking up her phone, she clicked his name and wrote him a quick text.

Lacey: K’s Laces are selling really well.

Karson: Told you they would.

She smiled. While she was glad he texted her back, she didn’t expect him to. He was supposed to be practicing.

Lacey: Are you done?

Karson: Nope, I’m in a meeting. I’ll be home in an hour. I was actually about to text you and let you know. You good?

Lacey: Yeah, just working.

Karson: Cool. I’ll be home soon.

Lacey: :)

Laying her phone down, she checked a few more things and was about to get ready to go to the mall when her phone rang. She assumed it was Karson, but when the display read that it was her father, she was sure her eyes were playing tricks on her.

Picking the phone up slowly, she hit the accept button and said, “Hello?”

“Lacey Arielle, it’s your father.”

“Hey, Daddy,” she said slowly.

She hadn’t talked to him since he’d walked out of her apartment back in Chicago.

“I was calling to ask if you are ready to come home.”

Straight to the point, as her father always was. Sitting back in her chair, her brows came in. “Um, I’m coming to Chicago in two weeks for a meeting and to check on the store.”

“No, I mean are you ready to come home for good.”

“I am home, Dad.”

“No, Chicago is your home. Tell me you are done with this charade. Surely, you are ready.”

Closing her eyes, she pinched the bridge of her nose. “Daddy, it isn’t a charade. I love Karson. I’m happy.”

“I don’t believe that. Come home.”

“No, I am home.”

He paused and her heart went insane in her chest. She hadn’t spoken to him in weeks, and he thought he could just call to demand shit? How unfair was that? And why? Did he really assume she would just obey him? He was delusional!

“You know, I really don’t see what you don’t understand. I am happy, I am in love, and Karson and I are building a life here. We bought a house, and maybe we’ll get a dog or something, but we are happy. He is my husband, my partner for life,” she said, anger lacing her voice. When she remembered what he had done, for a second time, she decided to call him out on it. “We heard about you calling his coach. That was really low of you. I’m going to ask that you don’t do anything like that again, but knowing you, you probably will.”

She shook her head, completely disgusted with the person she called her father. “Daddy, I need you to respect me. Respect my marriage, and if you can’t do that, then please don’t call me back,” she said sternly. In her head, she knew Karson would be proud of her, but it didn’t keep her heart from pounding so hard it hurt in her chest. The times were few and far between when she actually stood up to her dad, but this had to stop. Karson was everything to her.

“Fine, Lacey,” he said softly and her heart ached. She hated this. She wanted her dad to be a good man and support her. She wanted him not to try to sabotage her and Karson. She wanted him to be happy for her. Not so controlling. But that wasn’t the man Nate Martin was.

“Fine, I guess I’ll let you go then.”

“No, sweetheart, I miss you,” he said and she paused.

Tears welled up in her eyes. “Well, I miss you too, Daddy.”

“And you’re right, I was wrong for trying to ruin that scum’s career,” he said and Lacey rolled her eyes.

“He isn’t scum, Daddy. He is amazing.”

“That’s up for debate. But also, I’ve decided that I was wrong for trying to make you choose, and I really would like it if we can have a relationship. You’re my princess.”

Tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes as she swallowed hard. Her father wasn’t the man she needed for a father, but he was the only parent she had and she did care for him. As much as she wanted him to love Karson right off the bat, she knew it was going to take time. Maybe since he was willing to respect her relationship, Grady and Rachel would. She’d have her family back, and that was something she really did want. Something she craved.

“I would like that too,” she said softly.

“Good, so you said you two bought a house?”

She smiled as she gushed about their new house, telling him every detail. He listened, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that he didn’t actually care. He asked questions about where it was and how much it cost, which she thought was weird. But then again, her father was all about money. When she said Karson bought it outright, she was trying to get her father to like him. Since he had said that Karson would never be able to support her, she wanted to show that he could, tenfold. She wasn’t sure it worked, but he seemed impressed.

“Wow, but is your name is on the deed?”

“Yeah,” she said, confused by the question. Why did that matter?

“And there is no prenup, right?”

Her stomach clenched. What was he getting at? “No, we don’t need one.”

“That’s very unsafe, but I guess you both have something to lose and something for leverage,” he said, disappointment lacing his voice.

“There is nothing to lose because this is forever.”

“Nothing is forever, Lacey. Don’t be so naïve,” he scolded, making her feel two feet tall.

“Our love is,” she said with as much strength as she could muster.