Page 1 of Daddy

CHAPTERONE

JORGE

“Andthenhe introduced me to his taxidermied chihuahuas. Yes, you heard me right, chihuahuas. Two of them.”

Taking another generous sip of rosé, I finish off the last of my glass. I reach for the near-empty second bottle as Layla’s laugh echoes across the terrace. We’ve been out here for hours, drinking as I tell her about the nightmare of a date I had last night. An evening that tows a fine line between an episode ofDatelineandSex Sent Me to the ER.

“I thought you would’ve learned your lesson by now.” She laughs. “Stay off that damn app.”

“Listen, sweetie. You met your gorgeous-as-fuck husband on”—I air quote—“that damn app. I’m not willing to give up on it yet. Eventually, one of these menhasto be normal.”

Readjusting her legs on my lap, Layla stares back at me with a look that I know all too well. One that has gotten my ass in trouble more times than I can count. “Spit it out.” I give her a knowing look and let out a heavy sigh.

“So…” She pauses to take another sip of her wine. “I have something to ask you.”

I stare at her blankly, waiting for her to divulge what she wants, but she gazes back at me with uncharacteristic hesitancy. I toss my hands up and shrug, urging her to continue.

“It’s a little weird,” she confesses, scrunching up her face adorably.

“Yes. I accept. I will let you and Tristan reverseIndecent Proposalme. I don’t even need the million dollars.”

Her cackle echoes through the air as she swats my arm. “Stop! You know damn well that’s not what I was going to ask.”

“He shared you once. It was worth a shot.” I smirk with a shrug.

“Sharedmeonce,” she corrects. “And that wasonetime. Besides, I love you, sweetie, but we both knowI’d be the third wheel in that little fantasy you’re having.”

“Fine.” I sigh, feigning utter disappointment. “What is it that you were going to ask?”

“We’re putting together a bachelor auction at the club. For charity. And I was hoping you would let me sign you up as one of the bachelors.”

I shove her legs from my lap and abruptly stand from the couch. Crossing my arms, I glare down her and huff, “You think my dating life is so pathetic that you need to parade me around like a piece of fresh meat in front of a room full of rich men?—”

“Oh my God, Jorge,” she interrupts, her face drenched in dread. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m so sor—” Unable to hold my faux-serious demeanor, I choke on the chuckle I’m trying to hold down and bust out in hysterics. “You’re such a fucking asshole.”

“Maybe,” I struggle to speak between laughs. “But you should’ve seen your fucking face.”

“Still an asshole,” Layla brats, rolling her eyes and reaching for the bottle of rosé to refill her glass.

“Bitch, why are you even asking me? Rich kinky men? Of course, I’ll do it. Sign. Me. The. Fuck. Up.”

“I should’ve known you’d say that.” Layla shakes her head and takes a sip of wine.

“I mean, why not?” I shrug. “It’s not like I’m doing anything—or anyone—else. And I don’t mind showing off a little. I’ve got plenty to flaunt, after all.”

“Don’t get too cocky,” she teases as I obnoxiously flex my bicep.

“I can’t help it. It’s part of the charm.” I grin, and we both burst into laughter.

“You’re going to owe me one though… just in case I wind up with some guy who wants to lick peanut butter from between my toes or other weird shit.” I chuckle while also seriously hoping that isn’t what’s in my future. “A bottle of tequila. Agoodbottle of tequila. I’m going to need the good shit, Layla.”

“Got it. One bottle of bottom-shelf tequila and no men with a peanut butter and foot fetish.” She beams, setting her glass on the table with a soft thud. “Maybe you’ll actually meet a decent guy. Or at least one who introduces you to his dead petsbeforehe sleeps with you.”

I can’t help but laugh—my dating life is a buffet of disasters sprinkled with orgasms. Yet, there’s a part of me that wonders if she’s right. Because whatever it is that I’m doing isn’t working, and we both know that I’m seeking something deeper—something real. Something that looks like what Layla has been lucky enough to find.

Rubbing my hands over her bare legs, which are draped over my lap again, I shake my head.The things I would do for this woman… And a chance at finding love.“I’m still going to need that tequila, though.”

CHAPTERTWO

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