Page 59 of Her Possessive Daddies

Corey's eyes narrow. "Why the sudden interest?"

"Just looking out for you, man." I can't believe I'm lying to my friend and business partner "Why not have her over for dinner? Your place, keep it casual."

"Dinner." He mulls it over. "Could work."

"Your cooking might seal the deal." I force a laugh. "Better than another night at the speakeasy."

"True." He pulls out his phone. "Maybe I'll text her now."

My stomach knots. What the hell am I doing? Setting up my best friend with a woman I can't stop thinking about.

"Done." He sets the phone down. "Thanks for the suggestion."

"Anytime." I turn back to my spreadsheet, the numbers blurring together.

The door swings open and Chandler strolls in, his designer shoes clicking against the hardwood. My jaw clenches. Perfect timing, as always.

"Dad! Seth!" He drops into the chair beside me, reeking of expensive cologne. "What's up?"

"Working." Corey's tone shifts to that careful neutrality he uses with his son. "Something you need?"

"Did I hear dinner plans?" Chandler leans forward, eyes bright. "Perfect timing. There's this girl I've been seeing-"

"It's a private thing." I'm surprised at my gruff tone of voice. What the devil is wrong with me?

"Come on! I want to introduce her to Dad." He flashes that practiced smile. "She'll love the house. And I promise we'll behave."

Corey shoots me a look that says 'what now?' I return a subtle shrug. We both know how this goes - tell him no and he'll sulk for weeks, probably pitch a hissy that we won't hear the end of.

"I'll need to check with my date first," Corey says, already typing on his phone. "See what works for her schedule."

My fingers drum against the armrest. The thought of Abbie and Chandler in the same room makes my skin crawl. I don't even know why I care so much.

"A date?" Chandler leans forward, suddenly interested. "Since when do you date? I thought you just..." He waves his hand vaguely.

I watch Corey's jaw clench. The temperature in the room drops ten degrees.

"Friday would work," Corey says, ignoring his son's implications. "She mentioned having the weekend off."

"Perfect!" Chandler claps his hands together. "I'll bring Jessica. Or was it Jennifer? Whatever, she's hot."

I take a slow breath, trying to think about anything but Abbie in the same room as this entitled brat. The way he talks about women makes my skin crawl.

"What's she like?" Chandler props his feet up on the desk. "Is she young? Please tell me she's not another museum curator or whatever."

"She's..." Corey pauses, choosing his words carefully. "She tends bar."

"A bartender?" Chandler's look is incredulous. "Seriously? Like, at a real bar?"

"The speakeasy downtown." The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.

"Oh shit, that new place?" Chandler sits up straight. "I heard it's impossible to get in. Hook me up on the guest list!"

"No." Corey and I speak in unison.

Chandler holds up his hands. "Fine, fine. But Friday's on? I want to meet this woman who's got Dad all worked up."

I watch Corey nod, already regretting this whole situation. Something about his interest in the speakeasy doesn't sit right.

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