Behind The Boardroom Door. Amy Andrews

      “No. But he wasn’t much good as mine, either, for a lot of years. Part of it was his fault. Part of it was my mother’s. But I’m not sorry I got in touch with him again as an adult. I’m not sorry I tried.”

      Sebastian glowered at her across the darkened room. But it was true, what she’d said. She had been nervous when she’d applied to work for Max’s firm. She’d been worried about meeting him again, apprehensive about who exactly this man was who had fathered her.

      Maybe if she hadn’t had such a wonderful stepfather in John she would have lacked the courage to try to become a part of Max’s life. Because of John, she knew what a good father was like. Because of John, she knew a father’s love.

      She didn’t need those things from Max. It hadn’t mattered if he’d loved and accepted her or not because John already had.

      That he did was her good fortune. And his, which she was sure he knew. But she didn’t know anything about Sebastian’s father.

      Maybe it wasn’t fair to suggest that he try again. Still, people didn’t have to continue doing the same stupid things they’d always done.

      “Maybe he’s changed,” Neely repeated quietly. “Only saying. Up to you.”

      And Sebastian’s voice was flat when he replied, “Yes, it is.”