My Dad's Bestfriend

Evelyn

"If you two were going to make up this fast, then why the hell did you fight like that?" I glared at Dad and Jacob, incredulous. They were laughing, clinking their glasses together like they hadn't been at each other's throats this morning. I'd practically dragged Jacob out of the house, and forced him to sit in a coffee shop with me to calm down, maybe even let out a little steam. And while I was doing damage control, Dad had called me, saying, "Kick his arse, and come home without him. Don't even think about bringing him back." Yet here we were, hours later, with them acting like nothing had ever happened. I had no clue what changed. All I remembered was Jacob getting a call from Dad, his face going from stormy to smiling in seconds. "Let's go," he'd said, just like that. "My friend's calling me back." I clenched my fists. What was the point of putting Clara and me through their drama if they were just going to wave it off like it didn't matter?

"Hey, remember that girl? Yolanda?" Dad said, totally ignoring my fuming presence. "Everyone's crush back in college? I ran into her the other day. Mother of five now. Can you believe it? Who'd have thought Yolanda would ever settle down?"

Jacob laughed, taking a long sip. "No kidding. Seems like everyone's settled down. Feels like it was just yesterday, doesn't it, brother?"

Unbelievable. They were reminiscing about college while I was still standing here, simmering. I crossed my arms and planted my feet, my voice loud enough to cut through their laughter. "And you're gonna lose your last chance to ever settle down, Jacob Adriano, if you don't listen to me right now."

Jacob's head snapped around, his eyes widening. He stumbled off the stool, guilty realization dawning. "Baby..." he murmured, his face softening. "I am so sorry. It was... it was Samuel's fault. He wouldn't let me go."

"Oh, really?" Dad snorted, leaning back against the bar. "I've got nothing to do with it. You're the one who got us going down memory lane."

Jacob shook his head, sputtering in protest. "No! I-he's got this all wrong, I—"

"Blaming each other won't work, guys," Clara said as she set the last dish on the table, shooting both Dad and Jacob a pointed look. "You two collectively ignored my Evie. I saw it from the kitchen- too wrapped up in your 'Yolanda, Tina, Rina, Eleanor' conversations to care."

"Oh, so it was Tina, Rina, and Eleanor too?" I raised an eyebrow, folding my arms. "So it was all about old flames, huh?"

"Yes, it was," Clara confirmed, crossing her arms. Dad swallowed, chuckling nervously, then cleared his throat.

"Clara, it wasn't like that," he tried to explain, casting about for something less incriminating. "Jacob brought it up. I was just... going with the flow."

"Don't you dare try to pin that on me," Jacob glared at Dad. "You started it."

"No, Jacob, it was you!" Dad insisted, eyes narrowing. "Don't lie."

"I'm not lying, Samuel! Jesus is watching, so stop trying to cover up your lies!"

"Don't bring Jesus into this!" Dad's expression - a mix of guilt and innocence - showed he'd probably started the reminiscing. Clara's stern look as she placed down a serving spoon confirmed that Dad's penalty was coming soon enough. Rightly so. God, these two.

"Okay, fine!" I shut my eyes, fisting my hands to the side. "I'll let this slide. But let's not start another round of Fight Club right now, alright? Just shut up."

They both stopped, exchanging cautious glances, probably wondering if this was some sort of trap. It wasn't.

Jacob exhaled slowly, a tentative "Okay..." escaping his lips.

Dad, on the other hand, squinted for a moment, then finally sighed. "So... can we eat now, please?"

Clara held her serious expression for a beat before a laugh bubbled up. "Alright, come on, little pig," she teased. "Dinner's ready."

"Thanks, babe," Dad grinned,

hustling to the table. Taking

advantage of the distraction, Jacob slipped an arm around my waist, pulling me in and planting a quick kiss on my lips, so fast that had no time to react. Before I knew it, he was at the table, grinning,

"What are you doing, Evie?" Dad called, already stuffing his mouth. "Come on!"

"Oh, yeah, coming," I stammered, smoothing my hair behind my ear as I walked over, taking a seat beside Jacob. The moment I did, his hand settled onto my thigh, his thumb tracing slow, dangerous circles. "Jacob, let me eat in peace," I hissed, gripping my fork.

He gave me an innocent look. "What? Just touching what's mine, is that so wrong?"

"We're in front of my parents. If they notice-" I bit my lip, cutting off a gasp as his hand inched higher, pressing over my panties.

"What's wrong, Evie?" Dad asked, glancing up mid-bite.

"Are you okay, honey?" Clara's concerned gaze followed.

I stifled a nervous laugh. "Yeah! Just remembered I forgot to charge my phone. Probably have a million missed calls from Mason by now."

"Silly, you nearly gave me a heart attack," Clara chuckled, and Dad joined in, turning back to their conversation.

Jacob's voice was a low whisper in my ear, his breath brushing my neck as his fingers traced maddening circles. "So... where were we?"

My pulse raced. I wanted to shove his hand away, yet the pressure building inside me was pulling me under. "Jacob, stop," I muttered through clenched teeth, but his grin only widened. "And what's in it for me?"

"Nothing."

"Then I'm not stopping."

"Jacob..." I nearly moaned, clenching

my thighs as he found my most sensitive spot. My pulse hammered as he applied just enough pressure to make my mind swim. I wanted to forget everything and spread my thighs for him.

"What do I get, Evelyn?" he murmured, his eyes dark with mischief.

"Whatever...whatever you want," I managed, struggling to sound unaffected.

His smile was wicked. "Anything I want?"

I swallowed, unable to look away. "Yes. Just... stop."

"Tonight, then," he whispered, finally withdrawing his hand. "You'll do every little thing I say in the bed." He leaned back, giving me a sly wink "But for now, I have something else to do. Clearing his throat, he tooked directly at Dad. "Samuel, can I ask you something?"

Dad glanced up, oblivious to the tension radiating from me. "Sure. Spill it."

Jacob straightened, his expression turning uncharacteristically serious. "Would you mind if I took Evelyn with me... to Italy again?" The room went dead quiet.