It didn't surprise Baxter when Danielle announced his father wanted to see him. Baxter recognized his father's power move by calling his son to his office. That and the early hour prepared him for disappointment.

Philip frowned. "What's this tantrum I heard about?"

Baxter scoffed. "I'm not two or Doyle. Mother and I disagree about my personal life, so I moved out of the house. I think it's time, don't you?"

"I never left the Kane family home. What is it about this girl?"

"I love her. You of all people should understand."

"Not to turn from your family."

"I'm not. My parents' are turning away from me. My brother and sisters support me. You haven't given her a chance."

"Your mother is right. You need a wife to support you."

"Ivy supports me. She understands our business. Have you ever looked up at Mother and asked what she thought of a clause? The only clauses she knows are the ones in her prenup. I'm certain there is one about keeping your transgressions private."

"You're on thin ice."

"Am I? She's a smart woman. Smart enough to know you aren't out with your cronies all the time. She never mentions a name. I would like my wife to know the names of my friends."

"You are making a mistake. Your leash is short enough with your business ideas."

"As I told Mother, a vote against me is a vote for Ned, unless you would like to come out of your semi retirement."

"Your mother..."

"Dad, ask your Ellie what she thinks. I bet she doesn't agree with you. Remember, I met Ivy within hours of putting on the Kane Cross."

"Damn cross. It causes nothing but pain."

"I agree, but only if we let it. It'll only be a curse to me if I let Ivy go, but I don't intend to ruin my chance at happiness."

The older man scowled. "You grew up happy with privileges people like this Ivy could never dream of."

"Dad, Ivy doesn't even want the life I'm offering, but it's what she'll get because she loves me. She'll sign anything we ask her to."

"The girl has put you in the limelight more than you ever have before."

"None of it was her fault. The first fiasco, she got caught up in the fray. This weekend, we went out to the suburbs. It's not a crime. She's the one with the limelight only because of her association with me. You're lucky things were different when you dated Ellie. Phone cameras are everywhere these days."

Philip looked at his wrist. "I have to go. I only came to talk sense into you."

"Is Ellie waiting for you?"

He glared at his son. "Your mother. She's upset with your drama. Go back to work and think about the ramifications your choice will have on our family."

"I'm more concerned of the ramifications of not choosing the woman I love. It will be up to Kasper to carry on the name, because I will never marry a woman I don't love. Dad, times have changed. No one cares how rich my wife is. They love a fairy tale."

Baxter left his father's office and stormed into his own. Danielle was smart enough not to follow him.

Later that evening, Baxter took Ivy's hand as they walked to the bar. People turned their heads. Jimmy sat at the bar with a blonde. He stood and shook Baxter's hand before placing a kiss on Ivy's cheek.

"This is Mirielle. She's in town for business."

Baxter asked, "Where are you from?"

"Belgium. James and I have, ah, joined our forces once or deux."

Laughing Baxter winked. "Just business?"

Jimmy smiled. "We settled on business."

"You are not, ah, business, non?"

Baxter put his arm around Ivy and pulled her to his side. "No. Je l'aime."

Ivy smiled up at him, and he kissed her head. She looked at their friend. "Jimmy, do you speak French?"

"Not like Bax. I begged to go to Paris with his family when we were fifteen or sixteen, but Mrs. Kane said the twins were enough trouble without bringing me."

"You were trouble like the twins?" Ivy turned to Mirielle. "Baxter's younger siblings."

"They were young and always got lost. Mother feared she would lose Jimmy too." Baxter remembered the politicking to get his friend to join the family. The boys were the perfect age to dream of French kisses and French women.

Jimmy laughed. "Hasn't Kasper gotten lost on TV?"

"More than once. You should be his partner for his next race around the world." Needing a partner was all Kasper talked about.

"Not me. I can't leave business for a month or however long it is." He turned to his date. "Sorry. His brother is on reality television. One is a competition to race around the world."

"Magnifique."

The men sipped scotch while Ivy and Mirielle drank wine. Baxter listened with pride as Ivy spent some time explaining the property business.

As Mirielle finished her drink, she looked at Jimmy. "Notre dîner."

Jimmy looked at his uncle's watch. "We have a dinner meeting. Great to see you." The men shook with back slaps then he squeezed Ivy's hand. "Smile, Princess. You did great."

He put his hand on Mirielle's back and led her away from the bar. Baxter looked at Ivy. Do you want to get dinner here or some place else?"

"Wouldn't it be strange if they're here?"

Baxter shrugged. "Did you like her?"

"I'm envious of her graceful sophistication. I like her accent."

"You have your own graceful presence. Let's get a table."

Baxter was trying to enjoy his evening without thinking about the visit from his father. It hadn't gone how he had hoped and didn't want to brief Ivy. At times, she acted skittish like she might disappear.

When Macintyre pulled the car in front of Ivy's current home, Baxter leaned in. "I missed you last night. I'll miss you tonight." He danced his lips across her lips, before he reluctantly pulled back. Moving forward again, he kissed her forehead. "I love you."

Ivy kissed his check. "I love you, too."

Once she was safe inside, MacIntyre sat in the driver's seat. "Sir, you're a lucky man. I'm sorry about your mother."

"Thank you. I appreciated it. Take me to Sinclairs."

Charles informed him Jimmy hadn't returned from his business meeting. "That's okay. I'm exhausted. Good night." Carrying the heavy weight wore him out.

He woke tired, but pushed back the covers. Dressed and showered he went downstairs for coffee, where Jimmy sat at the dining room table dressed for the day as well.

"How was your business with Mirielle?"

Jimmy shrugged. "It was interesting. Did you check social media?"

"Not yet. Will I be happy?"

"Cute couple is trending. People like you and Ivy."

"That's what we wanted."

"There are some dissenters, but the shift is positive. We're better than a PR firm."

"Without the fees. Don't mention this to Ivy, but my father isn't as agreeable as I hoped."

"What's wrong with parents? My mother is upset I'm not dating Ivy."

"I'm not giving up."

"Good for you. Do you need a ride? I'm going your way."

"Yes, I had a text that the car wasn't available. I guess I'm being punished."

"Come on, then."

Baxter laughed as the car approached the Kane building. "You're a good influence. I'm early."

Danielle arrived after him. "This is a surprise."

"Jimmy dropped me off."

"You have a meeting across town. I put it on the driver's schedule."

"Can you schedule morning pickup? It had always been assumed."

"Sure thing."

Baxter was deep in work, when his direct line rang. "Baxter Kane."

"Come quick before Dad fires Eleanor."

Baxter sprinted down the stairs to the legal department. He arrived in time to see his father and Eleanor staring at each other."

"What's going on?"

His father turned to him. "Ms. Monroe is advocating for your girlfriend."

"Why are you down here?"

"To see Tate, but I was waylaid."

His father seemed more amused than angry. "Thank you, Eleanor. I know you care about Ivy. Let's focus on work, not my personal business."

Tate kissed Philip's cheek. "Dad, thanks for stopping by, but I need to meet with Baxter."

Baxter followed her, and once her office door closed, she exclaimed. "I was so worried. Eleanor was talking back to him."

"Was he angry?"

"Not really. He looked amused and then sad. I know she worked for him years ago, but she referred to before."

"Before?"

"Don't let it be like before. Or something like that."

"Eleanor?"

"Anyway, I talked to Mother, she is being stubborn. You need to work on Dad."

"I think Eleanor was."

He cracked the office door. His father was still talking. "Please, Amelia won't budge."

Baxter closed the door. "He'll never fire her. She's been with the company a long time."

"I hope not. Remember the candy?"

He nodded. "I do. I have to get back upstairs. Hey Tate. Does Dad stop in to see you often?"

She shrugged. "Since his procedure when he's here, he usually says hello. I think he takes the stairs for exercise."

Baxter suspected a lot had changed since his health scare. His head spun as he tried to make sense of it.

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