Page 31 of British Daddy to Go

Maggie

This is the most delicious chicken parmigiana I’ve ever had in my entire life, and that’s saying a lot. My parents are huge Italian food fans. On the rare occasion that we go out for dinner, it’s always for Italian food. I’ve had my fair share of chicken parm.

“You’ve ruined me for other Italian food,” I groan through another savory bite. “I’ll be saving my paychecks just to eat here again.”

Sean chuckles and twirls spaghetti onto his fork. “My sincerest apologies. Perhaps I’ll be the one to bring you here again.”

The blood drains from my face. “You want to see me again?”

He reaches across the table to hold my hand. “I’m sorry, I thought that was clear?”

“I’m new at this, like I told you.”

“Well, I’d like to see you again. And soon.”

I shudder at the declaration. “I’d like that, too,” I admit. “You know, I’ve told you a lot about me, but I don’t know that much about you.”

A throaty laugh escapes Sean’s lips. “You’re right about that. What would you like to know?”

“Are you from England?”

“I am. Born and raised just outside of London until I left for university and came to the States. I’ve been here ever since.”

That explains why his accent is haughty but not thick. He’s had many years to lose it. How many years, though? Is it polite to ask someone how old they are? I don’t think so.

“Do you go back often?”

Sean nods. “Not as often as my parents would like, but I have a house there. If I’m honest, I go back for business more than my parents think I do. They’re not as controlling as yours, but they can be a lot to handle.”

“You have a house in England? That’s incredible!”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I wish I could put them back in. He’s got to be a millionaire. He probably thinks I’m a poor girl who’s just in it for his money. But I really like Sean. I can’t ruin this by being uncultured.

Sean doesn’t seem fazed by my exclamation, though. “I have houses all over the world, but the England house is my favorite.”

“I’ve always wanted to travel. Italy is high on my list, but if I’m being honest, the UK is number one.” I blush fiercely. “I mean, if I ever leave the States, I’ll go to England and tour the UK.”

He squeezes my hand tenderly. “Well, the next time I go home, you’ll be coming with me.”

My heart swells with tenderness for the man sitting across from me. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I know,” he assures me. “But I want to. I’d love to watch you experience my homeland for the first time.”

“Then it’s a date,” I say.

We continue eating as my mind strays. Could I possibly love Sean after just a few encounters? I think I can. What I’m feeling now can only be described as love.

“Tell me about your business,” I say suddenly, hoping to distract my brain from that dangerous line of thinking. “You said you started it from the bottom?”

“I did. Like I said, I was supposed to be a lawyer like my father. When I decided against that occupation, I had to pave my own way. I went to Columbia and studied business. The guest professor for one of my classes owned a trading company. The work sounded interesting, and I decided in that moment that this was what I wanted to do.”

“So you had a dream and you pursued it?”

He considers this. “Yeah, I suppose that’s it. My company started small, just me and two other guys from college. It has grown a hundred-fold since then. Now we’ve got private investors, partners in the company, and clients entrusting us with millions of dollars.”

My eyes widen. “That’s incredible, Sean.”

He shrugs. “I’m sorry. This is probably boring for you. I don’t usually talk about business on dates.”