Owned by Fate (Serve #1)(48)

His genuine concern was physically painful to witness. After everything, after her judgment, criticism, and rejection, he still seemed to care about her. Through the haze of her exhaustion, a voice rang in her head. You don’t deserve it. When Caroline noticed the lawyer shift nervously beside Jonah, she shook herself. She dug deep and woke up the die-hard professional from her fetal position on the floor. Get through this meeting, and then you can crash and burn. You owe him.

Caroline forced a smile onto her face as she reached into her purse and pulled out a business card. She slid it across the table toward a pretty dark-haired woman she assumed to be Renee. Beside her sat a lawyer who tugged at his collar, looking far outside his comfort zone. No challenge there. She turned back to Renee, whose posture radiated resentment, and smiled wider. This is where the challenge lies.

“I’m Caroline Preston. Lovely to meet you.” She briskly stuck out her hand, which Renee reluctantly shook. “I’m very sorry I’m late. Crosstown traffic is a killer.”

To her left, she heard Jonah’s lawyer sigh in relief. While Renee scrutinized her “award-winning financial journalist” business card curiously, Caroline took the seat on Jonah’s right. Before she could question herself, she reached over and laid her cold hand on top of his warm one, squeezing a little. His face registered surprise, but he turned over his hand and linked their fingers, worry still marring his brow. Worry for her? Worry over her saying something to hurt his chances, possibly on purpose? She didn’t know, and there would be no opportunity to question him.

Jonah’s lawyer cleared his throat. “We were just about finished here, Ms. Preston. Although no formal decisions have been made yet. If there is anything you can add, we would be grateful. Anything about Mr. Briggs that might help Ms. Joyner come to a decision?” He glanced pointedly at Renee’s lawyer. “Without having to go through any further legal channels, that is.”

Oh boy, she’d clearly walked into some thick tension. Ease it, then make your case. “Yes, I do.” Caroline squeezed Jonah’s hand and addressed Renee, who she could see was genuinely looking out for the best interest of her daughter. A week ago, she’d been of the same mind as Renee. If she could go back in time and convince herself of Jonah’s strength of character, what would she say? “Ms. Joyner, I appreciate the position you’re in here. You’re obviously a wonderful mother who loves her daughter. I like to think that someday when I have my own daughter, I’ll be as cautious and protective as you.”

Something in Renee’s expression softened, the tension ebbing ever so slightly from her body.

Caroline nodded. “Furthermore, you’re the one who raised Gabby from birth. You have a bond with her, and you’ve earned the right to be discerning. Maybe it’s something that three men in suits have a difficult time understanding, huh?”

Renee’s mouth tilted at the corners, telling Caroline she’d struck a chord.

“You’re also probably wondering who the heck I am. I have no right to tell you how to make decisions for your daughter. You don’t even know me.”

She could practically feel Jonah’s lawyer’s faith lessening with every word. Jonah’s grip, however, was sure and solid in hers, his confidence and trust in her visceral. Why? Caroline wanted to shout at him.

“I’m here because you have doubts about Jonah’s character.” She waited for Renee’s stiff nod. “I know because I made the same mistake once. Before I knew him as a man who puts the needs of others before his own.” Her gaze connected with Jonah’s and held. “As a man who keeps his word.”

For some reason, her words caused his mouth to tighten fractionally, although she couldn’t fathom why. She turned back to Renee, who watched them with interest.

“A man who would fight this hard just for the chance to know his daughter should be commended, not condemned. Not by me or anyone else.” Caroline softened her voice. “He deserves a chance. You’re the only one who can give it to him.”

Renee looked down a moment, then raised her head. She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a high-pitched giggle coming from outside the conference room door. Her eyes went wide. “I— That’s Gabby. My boyfriend was supposed to take her for ice cream, but—”

The conference room door flew open, and a whirlwind of sandy blond hair entered. A thin, harried-looking man jogged after her, followed by the receptionist.

“I’m sorry, they just—”

“You were supposed to—”

“We did. She wanted to come and sit quietly in the waiting room, but then—”

Renee pushed back her chair and stood. “Why would you do that? You know—”

“Are you him?” Everyone stopped talking at once when Gabby, wearing a chocolate-stained jean jacket, addressed Jonah from across the table. Caroline had to hold in her gasp when she got a good look at Gabby. Everything from the stubborn set of her chin to her soulful brown eyes screamed Jonah. For the first time since Gabby’s arrival, Caroline glanced over at Jonah to find his attention arrested by his newly arrived daughter, sitting as though moving would cause him to shatter into a million pieces. Her heart clenched hard at the sight.

“Yeah,” he finally answered. “I’m…him.”

“The one who wants to see me?”