My Dad's Bestfriend

Evelyn

For a few seconds, even though I understood Cameron's words perfectly, my body and mind refused to accept them. My soul though? I wouldn't say anything from her side because it had been long since I'd been nice to her. I was stunned-stunned by his sudden shift in demeanor, his unexpected decision, and the pained look in his eyes that seemed to cut right through me. "Cameron... what are you-"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Evelyn," he said, his voice steady as he took a step closer, his gaze locking with mine. "You know what you truly want. Every part of you knows. But you're stopping yourself. I've watched you wrestle with this for days, and I've chosen to turn a blind eye, but I can't do that anymore. You need to give yourself what you want. You can't let fear imprison you like this. Life isn't meant to be lived in chains. This is not how it fucking works! If you love him then go and fucking give it a chance!" "Cameron, it's not what I want. You're misunderstanding everything," I pleaded, struggling to convince him, and myself.

Cameron's laugh was bitter, a sound of resigned acceptance. "How long do you plan to keep this charade and do this to yourself? Do you really think pretending to be happy with me while your heart belongs elsewhere won't hurt us both? Let me tell you, Evelyn-it fucking will. So much that you can't even imagine. And trust me, this will only get worse if you don't stop right now, right here," He said, "It's not just about avoiding pain-you're setting us up for more heartache. You're choosing a path of regrets and sorrow if you don't follow your heart. This is not going to end well. You will hurt me more by choosing to not live with the man you love because I might have you, but you will still never be mine and I never wanted you like that. I wanted you whole, to myself, all mine-but you only feel completed with him. He is the one who completes you and it fucking hurts to admit, but I can't change it. But at least, I can accept it knowing you'd be happy with him. Don't do this to yourself just because you fear hurting me because you will end up hurting both of us in the cycle. This needs to stop, Evelyn-for both of us."

His words were like a cold splash of water, bringing clarity to the confusion I had tried so hard to deny. I saw the glimmer of tears in his eyes, and the silence between us felt like a heavy shroud.

God.

"I've dragged you into this mess, haven't I?" My voice cracked as I looked at him, tears brimming in my eyes. It wasn't that I didn't love Cameron, but my love for Jacob was all-encompassing. I could never place anyone above him-not even myself.

"You didn't drag me into anything, sweetheart," he said, stepping closer and gently cupping my cheek. His touch was warm and soothing, but it only made me ache more for Jacob. I wished more than anything that this tender touch was his, that I could be with him, anywhere but here. "I knew from the beginning this was a losing battle. I took my chance at happiness, and I don't regret a single moment with you."

His unexpected words left me momentarily speechless. "You don't?" I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper. Overwhelmed with guilt, I struggled to find the right words, but they eluded me.

"No," he replied with a sad, gentle smile. "I don't." His thumb brushed away a tear from my cheek, his touch tender. "And there's something I haven't told you. This is my last month in America. I'm moving to Scotland to take over my father's business. So, in these last few weeks, I did the most daring thing I could think of-I tried to win over my crush and make her love me back. And, I might have failed but-"

"You didn't," I said, finishing his sentence with a sigh, tears slipping down my cheeks once more. "But your crush couldn't love you more than her first love. She couldn't erase him from her heart. She couldn't make herself belong to anyone else. I love you, Cameron, but it's just that....I love him more."

A genuine smile tugged at his lips, though sadness lingered behind his blue eyes. For the first time in days, I saw a strange relief flood his expression. "Then... tell Jacob that he might win the girl, but I've still won," he said, letting out a soft chuckle before placing a tender kiss on my forehead.

"Go. You're running late," he added, his voice firm yet warm. "Besides, tickets aren't cheap these days. Why waste money when you could just stop him from catching his flight?"

A small laugh escaped me, a fleeting moment of levity in the midst of everything. "Thanks, Cameron," I said, leaning in to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you for helping me. If it hadn't been for you, I would have never realized what I truly want."

"You're welcome. Now GO!" he urged, turning me toward his car with a playful shove. "That's my favorite car, and soon it'll be carrying my favorite woman, so drive safely."

"Okay," I replied, managing a final smile before leaning in to give him another quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you."

I got into his car, started the engine, and sped out of the parking lot. Cameron's voice called out from behind me, "Best of luck!"

His words warmed me, and I felt a rush of adrenaline as I accelerated, my anxiety spiking with every passing second.

What if he's already left? What if he's boarded the flight?

I needed him close. I couldn't bear another moment without him.

Within minutes, I reached home, my

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mind racing with worry. If I broke any traffic laws, my dad would deat with it later. I dashed inside the house, finding Clara and Dad waiting for me in the living room, their expressions a mix of concern and urgency.

"Where is he?" I asked, my voice strained with panic.

"He left fifteen minutes ago," Dad replied, standing up and looking at me, "You don't have much time. Hurry." He let out, as if he already knew my decision. Well, of course, he could read me too fucking easily.

My heart sank at the thought of Jacob being so close to leaving. I didn't even think to ask about his flight time. I was too overwhelmed to think straight.

"Yes, Evelyn," Clara urged, standing up as well. "You can't waste any more time. Go!"

I nodded quickly and rushed outside, jumped back into the car, and sped toward the airport. The road was mostly empty but not totally, and drove recklessly, ignoring the

shouting drivers and theret

of tires. I had only one focus-reaching my

destination-Jacob Adriano.

Anxiety clawed at me, cold sweat forming on my forehead. My heart pounded against my ribs, and my stomach twisted in knots.

I prayed to every deity I could think of, pleading for a delay or for me to reach him faster. "Be late, be late," I whispered fervently. "For once, be late."

As if answering my desperate plea, I saw it—a familiar black car ahead. I could make out his profile, relaxed and unaware, as he took a sip from a takeaway cup-his Americano, just as always.

Relief washed over me, but there

was no time to waste. I floored the accelerator, maneuvering around him and stopping my car directly in his path. His eyes locked onto mine as his car screeched to a halt, just inches from a collision.

Without hesitation, I threw open my door and stepped out. He followed, getting out of his car without needing to be asked, his eyes slightly wide with surprise. "Evelyn, what-"

Before he could finish, I grabbed the collar of his white shirt and pulled him down, crashing my lips against his.

Finally.