Peace by Piece-Rucas

Peace by Persistence

Chapter 5

"Can you sign off on these hours?" Smackle set some paperwork in front of Riley and the brunette agreed with a smile, "I'll send them over to PayChex and we can all get paid tomorrow! YAY!"

She giggled and signed the paper, "thanks Smackle. How's school?"

Her eyes narrowed behind the plain black frames, "what's wrong with you?"

"What?" Smackle cocked her head to the side, "I'm fine. Thank you though."

A mischievous grin surprised the chef, "oh there's someone who was wanting to talk to the owner. Should I send 'em back?"

She pinched the bridge of her nose, "Are they mad?" She definitely didn't want to deal with an angry customer today, not after the emotional trauma of last night.

"Nope." After a heavy sigh she nodded and buttoned her jacket that covered her blouse. Her eyes moved out the window and wished she would've called Lucas last night but after the phone call with Charlie and then with Maya she was emotionally spent.

"Riley he isn't like the other men, I think he's proved that."

"Maya you don't think I'm trying to convince myself of that? I just, want what's best for Emily. I hate to say that she needs a father figure, but she needs a daddy. I know how she feels she wants to be a daddy's girl."

She heard Smackle down the hall, "right in here." A forced smile approached her lips appearing to be friendly. Until it wasn't forced anymore, he walked in. Riley stood up from her chair and practically sprinted around her desk.

"Hi." Her arms snaked around his neck and felt his hands wrap around his waist.

"Hey beautiful girl." Lucas kissed her cheek, "you okay?"

"Yes, I am." She literally felt 10 times better just seeing his green eyes, "I'm sorry I didn't call last night."

The vet lifted her off the ground and walked around her desk to sit in the big leather chair. She giggled and sat in his lap, "I was worried about you sweetheart." His fingers moved strands of hair out of her face before lightly touching her lips.

"Emotional night, and I just needed to go to bed. I'm sorry."

He moved his head from left to right, "don't apologize. I understand, you want to talk about it?"

The brunette bit her lip, her mind was telling her no and her heart was telling her yes. He's always so understanding. "I just, Emily asked where her dad was and I kind of lost it." His strong arms pulled her into his chest, and felt Riley bury into the crevice of his neck. "I can only tell her he's busy so many times, I just don't get it."

"I'm sorry sweetheart, I wish I could help."

She giggled, "You are. You just don't know it." Lucas smirked and kissed her temple.

He knew there was a lot more to it but remembered Zay's words, 'don't push it'.

"Is Emily okay?"

"Yes," Her dimples exposed themselves, "thank you for asking." Riley leaned out of his neck and ignored his pouty face, "that's what I want. A man who asks how she is and genuinely cares. And YOU don't even know her!"

"I want to get to know her." He whispered and grasped her hand, "that's not a pressure thing by the way it's simply a statement."

The chef grinned, "I love that though, I love that you want to get to know her. Especially when her own father won't come around." Her chin dropped to her chest, "I can't regret being with Charlie because of Emily but why, why did I ever think he'd remotely be a good father?" One lone tear left a stain as it escaped from its dungeon, quickly erased by Lucas' calming touch. "You sure you don't want to run?"