Nerves prickle at the bottom of my gut as I park my truck in Mia's circular driveway and cut the engine. This is the same nauseous feeling I get in the tunnel, waiting to run onto the field before a game. Like I'm going to puke. I have no idea why taking Mia out on a date feels like such a big deal, but it does. All I know is that I want everything to be perfect.I grab the flowers from the front seat and take the wide stone steps two at a time before ringing the bell. The sound echoes inside the cavernous entryway. I run a hand over my button-down shirt and khakis one last time.Wait a minute-are the khakis and dress-shirt overkill? Maybe I should have kept it casual. I'm not looking to spook her.Damnit.It's too late to do anything about it now.Why did I think this was a good idea?After a few agonizing moments that feel like an eternity, the door swings open, and Mia stands on the other side of the threshold. That's all it takes for the doubts filling my head to disappear
When I fail to respond, she glances at me. "What do you think?""Oh, ah..." Even though I have no idea what to do, I realize staying is not an option. At some point, Mia will notice her dad, and I can't allow that to happen. "You know what? We should go somewhere else." When her eyes widen, I add hastily, "Some place better.""You want to leave?"I wince at the shock lacing her voice. "I want our first date to be special, and this isn't going to cut it."She lays the menu down in front of her. "I can't tell if you're being serious or not.""Dead serious," I say nervously. "Let's go."As Mia opens her mouth to pelt me with questions, our server arrives at the table with a smile plastered across her face."Hello, my name is Kimber, and I'll be your waitress for the evening. Have you ever been to Marco's? If not, welcome!" Her gaze bounces between us. "The chef has created several specials this evening-""We won't be staying," I interrupt.Mia's eyes bulge, looking like they
Unable to sleep, I stare sightlessly at the ceiling. No matter how much I try to block out what I saw at Marco's, I can't. The image of my dad having an intimate dinner with a strange woman refuses to be buried.Even though I know what I saw and how I felt in the moment, part of me wonders if it's possible I could have misconstrued the relationship. Was it a dinner between friends? Or colleagues?From across the restaurant, I could see the besotted look in Dad's eyes as he stared at the blonde across from him. How long has it been since he looked at Mom that way?I sift through my memories, going back years, but can't come up with a definitive answer. If Dad ever looked at Mom like that, it was before Brianna died.Beck's words ring unwantedly throughout my head.This has nothing to do with you.He's right, it doesn't. This is between my dad and mom, but still...seeing him with another woman feels like a betrayal to our family.How could he do this?After everything Mom has been
Before Mia can untangle herself from me, I scoop her into my arms. She squeaks in surprise as I carry her to the bathroom before depositing her onto the long stretch of marble countertop. Silently she watches as I close the plug on the white porcelain tub and run the water.Once it's at the right temperature, I swing around to face her. "A bath will help you relax."She bites her lip. "Are you going to join me?""Nope." I shake my head. "This is for you."When the tub is almost filled, and steam is rising from it, I position myself between her legs. I gather up the material of her pink tank top and carefully pull it over her head before dropping it to the floor. She sits before me in tiny white shorts with pink hearts stamped across them.I reach out and cup the soft weight of her breasts, squeezing the fullness. Her nipples pebble against my palms before I release them and trail my fingers down her ribcage until I reach the elastic band of her shorts. I hook my thumbs beneat
My sleep is deep and filled with dreams. Most, I can't hang on to. The one I find myself immersed in before waking is filled with Beck.The sexy neighbor I've crushed on forever.The guy I've avoided for the past seven years out of self-preservation.Dreams and memories intertwine until they become one. I can't remember if he touched me last night or if it was all part of a delicious fantasy. Once I'm able to shake the last dregs of sleep, I stretch my limbs as the memories from last night crash down on me.Beck climbing through the window.Running a bath and stripping me bare.Making me a cup of tea.Orgasming.Drying me off and carrying me to bed.And then falling asleep in his arms.I roll to my side only to find the space next to me vacant. Not only is the bed empty, but the sheets are also cold to the touch, which means Beck snuck out a while ago. Disappointment surges through me, threatening to swallow me whole. I flop onto my back and stare at the ceiling before tugging t
"Not really." Once we slid between the sheets last night and Beck wrapped his arms around me, I fell into a deep sleep. "If you were me, what would you do?"He blows out a steady breath as his face grows serious. "I don't know," he admits. "We have different relationships with our fathers." His voice softens. "And your family has been through a lot more than mine."Thoughts of my sister swirl through my head. Nothing has been the same since Brianna died. Most of the time, it seems like my parents are going through the motions of living their lives.Although, the man I saw last night looked nothing like the Dad I know. He looked happier than I've seen him in a long time. Ten years younger, at least. Instead of having his face buried in his phone, he was actually paying attention to the person sitting across from him."Is it possible your mom is aware of the relationship?"That thought never occurred to me."I don't know." It's difficult to imagine that my mother would knowin
"You don't need to say anything.""Is your mother aware of what's going on?"I shake my head. "No, we haven't told anyone yet."Tentatively, he steps toward me. "As much as I like Beck," there's a pause, and I steel myself for what will come next, "he's not the right guy for you."I echo with disbelief, "He's not the right guy for me?"His frown deepens into a scowl. "Come on, you know exactly what I mean. Beck doesn't have a serious bone in his body. His life is football. Other than that, he parties and sleeps around. I don't understand why you would be interested in someone like that."My mouth falls open. "Dad! That's not true!"He closes the distance between us. "That kid has always been a troublemaker. I used to feel bad for Archie and Caroline, always having to clean up his messes.""That was in high school," I grit out. "He's changed. People are capable of it.""Has he really changed that much?" Dad snorts and rolls his eyes. "Because I find that difficult to beli
"I can't believe you didn't tell me what was going on!" Alyssa shoves me in the shoulder, and the force sends me careening into a random guy on the walking path.My hands grasp his chest for purchase as he holds my upper arms to steady me. Heat fills my cheeks. "I am so sorry!" The guy grins, making no attempt to release me. "It's not a problem."Alyssa grabs my arm and yanks me free. "Sorry, bud, she's taken."He shrugs. "That's too bad."Alyssa snorts before dragging me down the path."I'm going to kill you," I mutter through clenched teeth."No, you're not." She doesn't sound the least bit concerned by the threat. "You love me too much to do that.""Hmmm," I scrunch my face and contemplate the statement, "do I?""Yup." She links her arm through mine as we continue walking. "Anyway, back to the original convo we were having before you rather clumsily threw yourself at that guy."When I glare, she grins and keeps yapping. "I can't believe you kept this from me!""It wasn't