Emily Blair had barely stepped inside, holding the little girl by the hand, when her daughter instantly pointed excitedly across the room.

"I see Daddy! He's right over there."

Emily squinted in the direction her daughter was pointing. The place was packed-a whole crowd clustered together, the lights so harsh it was hard to make out any faces.

"Which one?" she asked, trying to follow.

But her daughter immediately started wriggling, trying to wriggle her hand out of Emily's grasp.

Emily frowned and said, "Hold still. I'll take you over and we'll see.”

Her daughter shot her a dissatisfied look. "Then hurry up!"

Emily took her hand more firmly. "Alright, let's go."

The little girl was so anxious her short legs were practically trotting, quickly taking the lead and dragging Emily along. Emily found herself half-running just to keep up.

They reached the edge of the crowd, and the little girl called out in her sweet, clear voice, "Daddy!"

Inside the bar, the music was pounding, the chatter loud and wild. Her tiny voice was swallowed up by the noise.

She tried again, more insistently, straining forward. "Daddy, Daddy!"

Emily let go, watching as her daughter darted into the group of people and, with unerring certainty, grabbed hold of a man slouched back in a booth, clearly catching a moment's rest.

The sudden appearance of a child drew curious looks from everyone nearby.

"Whose kid is that? How'd she end up in here?"

"She's looking for Benjamin. Oh, hang on-is that Benjamin's daughter?"

"Benjamin, Benjamin! Wake up, your daughter's here!"

Benjamin.

As Emily approached, the name tickled her memory-familiar somehow, though she couldn't quite place it.

She stopped just behind her daughter and saw the man in the booth slowly open his eyes.

Emily raised her eyebrows, surprised.

He was... striking.

Compared to the other men around, this Benjamin was rugged and handsome, with bold brows, sharp features, and a strong, masculine jaw. His skin was a healthy bronze, and even in a suit, it was obvious that he was powerfully built-broad shoulders, biceps straining the fabric of his jacket, the kind of physique you couldn't ignore. Even sitting down, he looked tall-nearly six-foot-three, she guessed.

The little girl scrambled up onto his lap, her voice soft and earnest. "Daddy, I came to see you. Pick me up!"

Benjamin looked a little dazed, probably from too much to drink, but when he saw his daughter's face, his lips curled into a gentle smile, his fierce features softening. "Hey, sweetheart, what are you doing here?"

He pulled her into his arms, voice lowering tenderly. "Did you miss Daddy?"

People around them started to laugh and tease. "So she really is Benjamin's kid! How come we never heard he got married?"

"He just got back from overseas, maybe he had her abroad and didn't say a word." Benjamin just smiled. "Yeah, she's my daughter from back when I was overseas." The little girl pouted, indignant. "Daddy, do you know how late it is? I'm sleepy and you're still not home. I had to come find you myself!"

Benjamin stroked her hair, his smile indulgent. "You're right, sweetheart. That's Daddy's fault. I missed you too. Let's go home, okay?"

She hugged his neck, nodding seriously.

Suddenly, Benjamin's expression darkened a little. "Sweetheart, did your nanny come with you tonight?"

His daughter shook her head earnestly. "No, she's sleeping. I snuck out by myself."

Benjamin lowered his voice, pressing gently. "She wasn't sleeping with you?"

The little girl shook her head again. "I don't want the nanny, I want to sleep with Daddy."

Benjamin's eyes softened. "How did you get here all by yourself?"

She frowned, impatient. "Daddy, you ask too many questions! Let's just go home."

Benjamin stood, cradling her carefully, and said, "Alright, we'll go. But sweetheart, you have to promise Daddy-outside is dangerous. You can't just run off on your own again. Daddy would be so worried."

He turned to his friends. "My daughter's found me, so I'll head out now."

His friends nodded, understanding. "Go on, take care."

Emily watched quietly from the side, her gaze distant, lost in thought.