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On a Break
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
My Father's Best Friend The Voice of Reason
LanieThe tiny gong in the yoga room sounded, signaling the start of the meditation period. Sucking in a long breath, I straightened my back and focused on the sensation of my palms on my knees.I can do this. I can meditate for five minutes without thinking about Andrew at all. Wait. Damn. I’m thinking about him. Is he disappointed in me? Should I just tell my parents and get it over with?“Crap,” I whispered.Hopping up, I snatched up my yoga mat and bag and hurried past everyone else sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, and out of the room. In the bathroom, I ran the water as cold as I could take it and splashed it on my face.A knock on the door made me turn, face dripping water droplets on my tank top. “Just a second.”“It’s me,” Erica said through the door. “Are you okay?”Drying my cheeks with a paper towel, I opened the door. “I’m fine.”She arched a brow. “You cursed and then ran out during meditation.”“Meditation is hard.” Taking my bag, which I had since stuffed my mat into,
My Father's Best Friend If It's Meant to Be
LanieErica sighed. “Your dad would get over it eventually.”“It could destroy his relationship with Andrew.”“If that’s the case, then it wasn’t that strong in the first place.” Crack went another peanut shell, and she popped the contents into her mouth. “Let’s come back here next weekend.”I pulled my bag from my phone and checked it, unable to stop myself. No messages. No missed calls. Andrew and I weren’t supposed to be talking, but I couldn’t stop getting my hopes up and thinking he’d throw caution to the wind and get in touch anyway.“It makes me feel odd,” I said, dropping my voice. “Having sex with my dad’s friend. Wouldn’t that be weird for you?”“No,” she flatly said. “Say you dated someone your dad had never met, then ended up getting married, and then he and your dad started watching football games or whatever guys do together. That happens all the time. It’s called becoming family. My brother in law Damon, and his wife, Bethany were basically family first. Remember? His f
My Father's Best Friend Three Days In
AndrewThree days and twelve hours. That’s how long it had been since I’d last heard Lanie’s voice.But who was counting?Shutting down the computer in my downtown office, I groaned and leaned back in my chair. It had been days since I last stayed so long at work, but I hadn’t been able to stomach the prospect of going home to an empty house. Being eight o’clock, Karen would have left for the day. Raven was having some big dinner with the rest of the German club, something I had insisted she go to. Just her joining the club had been a big deal.So, left all alone, I’d opted to stay at the office.But now everyone else was gone, and I had run out of things to do.Shrugging into my coat, I picked up my briefcase, snatched up my keys, and left the quiet room. The main area of the floor was equally as silent, everyone else long gone.As I rounded the corner, Jacob, a young intern, jumped and dropped the papers he held.“What are you still doing here?” I asked.“Um, just, I was just leavin
My Father's Best Friend You Can't Run From the Truth
Andrew“What are you doing here?” Saxton asked with a laugh.I snorted, the depressive cloud broken by his appearance. “Just having a couple of drinks.”He accepted my handshake with a skeptical look. “I never see you here during the week. Not unless you’re having a meeting.”“And I never see you here without a woman.”Saxton caught the bartender’s attention. “I’ll have what my good buddy is having.”I chuckled, either because of the whiskey I’d pounded or out of pleasure from seeing Saxton. “So what about it? Why are you here all by yourself?”He turned to face me straight on. His hair was different again, the highlights he’d had the other week replaced by darker tones. “I figured it might be best to give that a breather. Just around here, you know. If I keep showing up with girls at the country club, how am I going to pick up girls at the country club? They’ll all think I’m—”“Exactly what you are?”Saxton winked and put a finger to his lips. “Shh.”“My lips are sealed.”“I know the
My Father's Best Friend Another Man
LanieLatte clutched in hand, I stepped around a group of chatting girls and beelined for the table by the window. Judging by the quick stakeout I’d performed upon entering the cafe, it was the best spot. With a round table surrounded by cozy, plush chairs, it also provided a good view of the street.Which meant I’d see Andrew before he saw me.Just thinking about him had my stomach twisting into knots a sailor would have been proud of. The only contact we’d had all week was the sparse text messages on Wednesday night. Even though Andrew had said he wanted to see me, he hadn’t been able to meet until tonight, Friday. Apparently, just like me, he’d been filling up the calendar.I only hoped this meant Raven wasn’t being pushed to the side again. If, after all the work Andrew put into repairing their relationship, life reverted back to its old way, I would feel awful. Like I had something to do with it all.I suppose I did.Taking a careful sip of my latte, I set it down on the table. I
My Father's Best Friend We Have to Tell Him the Truth
LanieI bit back a strangled cry. Despite the frustrations I’d been harboring, seeing him looking so broken had me coming undone. “I’m sorry about everything, too,” I whispered.Andrew looked up at me with sad eyes. “I haven’t spoken with your father.”“Neither have I.”His inhale sucked up all the air in the vicinity. “I’ve been trying to work this out, to figure out what we should do.” He paused. “What do you think?”I slowly licked my lips. “It’s complicated.”“Uh-huh.”“I know I’m a coward.” My voice cracked on the last word, and I shut up, afraid that if I said any more, I’d break down.Andrew stiffed. “No, Lanie, don’t say that. It’s not true.”“It’s silly, but I still have this fear of disappointing my parents, you know? Like I’m ten or something.”“A lot of adults feel that way.”“I know.” I nodded thoroughly. “I’ve taken classes on the subject, for god’s sake. But that doesn’t make things any different for me, oddly enough.”He smirked. “If it’s any comfort, I’m here right al
My Father's Best Friend She'll Never Be My Mother
AndrewThe kitchen sang with life as Karen flipped, stirred, and blended. With the morning sun’s rays coming through the windows, the day rang with a familiarity I hadn’t felt in a long time. Or maybe that I hadn’t noticed.“Here you are, Mr. Marx.” My housekeeper set the green smoothie down in front of me with a flourish. I inspected it warily. “Yes, I know it’s a new recipe. But don’t worry. You won’t even taste the greens.”“All right.” I shrugged and took a sip, nothing but pineapple and banana on my tongue.“Now if we can get Raven to drink one of these,” Karen muttered, going back to the counter.“Did you see her last night?” I asked.“No.” She turned the dishwasher on, frowning. “She wasn’t back when I left around six.”“Oh.” I looked away. It seemed Raven had taken my encouragement that she spend more time with her peers to heart. I’d barely seen her since the fundraiser the weekend before.Or maybe she was avoiding me.“Karen, has Raven talked to you at all?”Drying her hands
My Father's Best Friend Heart Emojis
Andrew“Raven,” I gasped. “Don’t say that you’re not meant to have a mother.”“Why not?” she countered with a steely look. “It’s how I feel.”“Okay,” I nodded, wanting to diffuse the situation before it escalated into a fight. “That’s understandable. I don’t think anyone is ‘not meant’ to have something that’s supposed to be good, though. We’re not cursed or anything.”The dubious look on her face said otherwise.“Really,” I pushed. “What happened to Mom was an accident. Nothing more. She didn’t deserve it, and we didn’t deserve it.”My heart tightened, and I looked down at my lap. We didn’t speak about Danica much. Raven had some therapy after her passing a decade before, but as for me, maybe I’d moved on too fast. I hadn’t predicted the ways Danica’s absence would affect Raven in the years to come. I’d focused on what the little girl Raven had lost, not what the teenager and young woman Raven would need.“Yeah,” she said. “I know it wasn’t our fault.”“Really?”“Yes. Don’t worry, Da
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My Father's Best Friend Nine Months Later
Andrew“How are you doing?” I rubbed Lanie’s shoulder, feeling silly for asking the question.She huffed out a breath, looking out the window instead of at me.I nodded. Right, then.What was it I learned in that maternity class we took? For the life of me, I couldn’t remember one thing. My pulse was racing a million miles an hour, and all my nerves were bunching up in my stomach.Lanie exhaled again, long and low, as she had another contraction.The door opened, and the doctor strode into the room with a big smile. “Let’s check you out,” she said.Lanie just pressed her lips tight together and nodded, her face growing red.“You’re doing great, honey,” I told her.She smiled up at me, but I could see the exhaustion in her eyes. She was ready for this to be over with.Taking her hand, I held it tight as the doctor checked her dilation.“Ten centimeters,” she announced. “We’re ready to push.”“Thank god,” Lanie gasped. She gritted her teeth and squeezed my hand so tight, I thought it wa
My Father's Best Friend The Honeymoon
LanieI whisked the curtains open, taking in the white beach and the sparkling blue water. Palm trees and other foliage covered the far side of the bay. A few people surfed, but other than that, the area was empty.“Oh my god,” I breathed. “It’s beautiful.”Andrew’s strong arms wrapped around me from behind. “Yeah?” he murmured, laying a kiss on the side of my neck.We’d gotten to the resort after dark the night before, and all I’d really gotten to see were the patios and the lobby. I’d pored over the brochure, though, listing all the things I wanted to do.“I can’t believe we’re here for a whole week.” I rested my arms against Andrew’s.“What do you want to do today?”“Mm.” I leaned against him, thinking about it some. “Sunbathe? Take a surfing lesson? I dunno. What do you want to do?”“Spend time with you.”I spun around to face him. “I like that answer.”A knock on the door made me look over his shoulder. “It’s so early. Who is that?”Andrew shrugged but couldn’t hide the knowing l
My Father's Best Friend Mine Forever
AndrewThe door of the old house opened, and Erica came out first. She smiled at everyone over her bouquet, and a low whistle came from somewhere in the crowd.“Inappropriate,” Saxton dramatically gasped under his breath. For a moment, my nerves loosened, and I almost laughed—but Raven was coming out the door then.She wore a blue dress like Erica, just cut in a different way, with the skirt longer and no sleeves. Smiling wide, she made her way down the aisle. She walked with the slightest limp, one that might have been unnoticeable if you weren’t paying attention. It was the one leftover symptom from the car wreck, something that would likely be with her for the rest of her life, as she’d broken her leg so badly.The limp didn’t get her down, though. Overall, she’d been positive about the whole thing. Now, as she reached the end of the aisle, she looked my way and absolutely glowed.Love and pride filled my heart. Our relationship had gone through some tough times, but the last six m
My Father's Best Friend It's Really Happening
Andrew3 Months Later – The Wedding“Your tie looks fine,” Bob told me.“Huh?” I dragged my gaze away from the line of trees ringing the field. “What’s that?”“You were messing with your tie again.” Bob grinned. “You ever wore one of those before?”I frowned. “Almost every day.”Bob clapped me on the back. “I was kidding, Andrew. Relax.”I took in a long breath. “Sorry.”All around us, wedding guests chatted and catering staff hurried to and from. The day was amazing, a balmy June morning. The venue Raven and Lanie had discovered couldn’t be more perfect. What was once a mansion on the outskirts of the city had been turned into a preserve complete with hiking trails and a covered area for events.“Were you this nervous?” I asked, looking Bob over.I expected him to answer in the negative—Bob was just that confident about everything. I’d only asked because I needed to keep myself busy somehow. If I didn’t spend the last fifteen minutes before my wedding talking, I’d probably die of anx
My Father's Best Friend I Want to Feel You
LanieLast night, he’d pulled out every time and played it safe. I knew we were taking baby steps. Going from using a condom every time to suddenly doing away with them was a leap. But I was on birth control, which I’d told him, and immediate pregnancy was extremely unlikely. I just wanted to know what it felt like to have his come fill me up.“Please baby,” I moaned. “I want to feel you.”Andrew groaned above me, and his hands tightened on my ass. I was doing him over with this talk, and I knew it. He loved it. And he probably wanted the same thing I did. So I encouraged him again by looking over my shoulder and looking him in the eye as he fucked me.“Andrew,” I purred. “Fuck me until you come inside me. Please.”And he did. He bucked wildly against me, and I came as he shot his warm silky load inside me. It was what I had needed. A closeness that we’d never experienced before. He was bent over me and kissing my spine and my shoulder blades as his orgasm ebbed away and my body thrum
My Father's Best Friend Not Messing Around
LanieI woke up in the morning with Andrew’s hand on my hip. I was lying on my side, and he was behind me. I could feel his cock pressed against the small of my back. His breath was on my neck, and his closeness turned me on immediately.I was always horny in the morning, and waking up next to him was intoxicating.It was early. The room wasn’t as bright as it would be at say, seven or so in the morning. It must have been earlier, maybe six, possibly just after five. But we were both awake, and I wanted to take advantage of it before I had to leave for work at eight thirty.My life had somehow mended itself. Erica’s weekend getaway had helped, and so had Andrew’s willingness to take a good hard look at himself in the mirror and figure out what he wanted and whether or not he was willing to do what it took to get it. He shifted against me and yawned deeply.“Morning,” I whispered.His hand moved around my hip to my belly, and he pulled me in closer to him. His cock shifted between my a
My Father's Best Friend With Whipped Cream
AndrewHow had it taken me so long to figure out that this was what I needed? I hadn’t felt this good in years, or maybe even a decade, to be honest. Hell, maybe longer. My career had consumed my life. I’d nearly let it destroy my relationship with my daughter. Had it not been for Lanie, my life would have already imploded. Not only did she rescue the crumbling relationship with the person I loved most in this world, but she also showed me support and kindness and softness.“You’re a lucky bastard.” I smiled to myself as I rolled out of my chair and made for the kitchen.I chopped up some strawberries and tossed them on a bed of whipped cream. I added a sprinkle of icing sugar and some chocolate drizzle and left it in the fridge so that the whipped cream wouldn’t melt by the time Lanie came back down.I waited, much too nervous to do anything but pace the kitchen floor for a whole thirty-five minutes before Lanie appeared in the kitchen doorway. She was wearing a smile that eased my n
My Father's Best Friend Lucky to Have Her
AndrewWhen I told Lanie that Raven was home, it took a lot of effort for us to cool down. We were all giggles and flirting as we went to the kitchen and each got a glass of water. Then we went out back to the patio and sat in the sun. Lanie kicked off her sandals, rested her feet in my lap, and let the sun kiss her bare legs. I ran my hands up and down them as she told me all about her weekend with Erica.“It really was beautiful there,” Lanie said. “We should go some time. You’d love the hot springs. I can only imagine how stunning it would be in the winter. And cold.”“I’ll take you whenever you want to go.”“I’ll tell you when I start to get the itch again.”“Good. What else is new? Tell me.”Lanie shrugged and sipped her water. “Besides getting totally pampered all weekend? Not much. I had some good chats with Erica, though, and I was able to sort through some things that were taking up too much space in my mind. Things about us.”“Oh?”“We need to be better at communicating,” sh
My Father's Best Friend Has He Lost His Mind?
Lanie“Lunch on the corner. I saw you guys walk by and had to come after you.” He ran his hand up my hip to rest it on my waist. “Lanie, I have to apologize. I’m sorry for all this shit the last few weeks. I’ve been an ass. I want to make this work. Really. I want to be with you.”I thought I might start crying. Again. But I held on to my emotions and smiled instead. “I want that too. So badly.”He kissed me again. My heart raced and tried to fly out of my chest.He broke away and threw his arm out to flag down a passing cab. We both piled into the back seat, and he told the driver his address. Then he pulled me into his lap, pushed my skirt up so he could rest his hands on my bare thighs, and crushed his mouth against mine.“What about your car?” I asked him and pressed against him tightly.“Fuck it. I’ll get it later.” He slipped his hands into my hair and pulled me down for another long round of kisses.I clung to him and didn’t care that there was someone in the car with us. He wa
