Page 4 of Sipping Seduction
“It’s your life to live, not your dad’s,” Charice said.
“I know, it’s just…” My chin dropped to my chest. I didn’t want to get into my relationship with my dad, especially not on the first day of school when I had so many other things to do, or with someone who’d been trained in psychology and knew the highlights of my messed-up past.
“Hey,”—Charice got up and put her hand on my shoulder—“I’m glad you found someone who makes you smile. Are you going to tell me who he is, or do I need to start guessing?”
“That might be fun.” No telling who Charice would come up if I made her start naming names. She gave me one of her no-more-BS looks—the kind she reserved for kids who’d been sent to her office after getting into trouble. I couldn’t afford to alienate my bestie. Besides, it would be nice to have someone to talk to about my developing friendship with Andrew.
“I need to get to my office. There’s a new kid starting today who’s just moved to the area. His mom’s bringing him in soon so we can talk about ways to make sure he’s comfortable.” She held out her arms to give me a hug. “I didn’t mean to push. You can keep your secrets to yourself and share when you feel up to it. I mean, if it were me, you know I’d have no problem confiding in you, but I understand.”
Evidently, we’d moved on to the guilt-tripping part of our conversation. I returned the hug, knowing that as soon as Andrew’s name left my lips, there would be no taking it back.
Charice released me and shrugged her shoulders, still sending out wounded friend vibes. “We still on for lunch?”
“Of course.” I bit down on my lip and watched her walk toward the door. “Charice?”
“Yes?” She turned, her eyes bright, her lips spread into a knowing smile.
“His name is Andrew.” Relief whooshed out of me, though my pulse ticked up as I prepared myself for her next question.
“Andrew who?”
I lowered my voice to a whisper and braced myself for her reaction. “Stewart.”
“You’re dating a Stewart?” Her eyes almost bugged out of her head. “Have you lost your mind?”
“He’s a cousin and doesn’t have anything to do with the distillery.” Everyone in town knew about the feud between the Bishops and the Stewarts. It had been going on for generations, though no one could remember what started it in the first place. Along with the Devine family, the Bishops and Stewarts co-owned the biggest employer in town—Devil’s Dance Distillery. How they managed to operate a successful business while trying to run each other off was one of Beaver Bluff’s greatest mysteries.
“I can’t believe Evan is okay with this.” Charice let out a sharp laugh. “What did you tell him?”
“I haven’t yet.” Though Evan had been my closest friend since grade school, I hadn’t figured out how to tell him I was semi-dating a Stewart. Even though Andrew didn’t have anything to do with the feud, he was still part of the family that had antagonized Evan’s ancestors for decades.
“You’re playing with fire, Frannie. If you’re going to keep on dating this guy, you’d better tell Evan before he finds out from someone else.”
“That’s just it. Andrew is a nice guy, but there’s no big spark. I don’t know if I want to keep dating him, but what if no one else ever comes along? My dad’s greatest wish is to walk me down the aisle and meet his first grandchild before he dies. Time’s running out for him.” Tears welled in my lower lids.
Charice clucked her tongue and pulled me into another hug. “You shouldn’t date someone just because your dad’s guilting you into getting married and having kids. Besides, if you really want to have a baby—and I’m not saying you should just to make your dad happy—you don’t need a man for that anymore. You can thumb through the big sperm catalog and pick out your own baby daddy.”
I shook my head. “That’s an option for sure, but I want to do things the old-fashioned way. First, the husband, then the babies, then the house in the country with a dog and a cat. I even want the minivan to haul everyone around in.”
“I know.” She patted my back. “You’re so weird like that.”
“It just feels like time’s running out. Andrew checks off a lot of boxes on my list, and—”
“Not the list again.” Charice let me go as her gaze flickered up to the ceiling.
Someone knocked at my door. Pete the Dog lifted his head. I glanced at the clock, noting it was almost time for me to make my annual announcement over the speaker system to welcome everyone back for another year of school.
“Come in.” I moved toward the door, with Charice right behind me.
Our administrative assistant, Ms. Jenkel, poked her head through the doorway. “You’ve got a visitor, Ms. Masterson.”
“A visitor?” I tried to peer around her, but her body blocked my view. “Who is it?”
“I just wanted to stop by and wish you a happy first day of school.” Evan’s deep voice carried into the room before the door opened wide and he stepped through. He held a box with the Jackie Jay’s logo across the top. “Brought you a cinnamon roll to celebrate.”
I was a sucker for a cinnamon roll from Jackie Jay’s. Just one look at the box and my mouth started to water. Pete the Dog recognized Evan and jumped up from his pillow to nudge his nose into Evan’s crotch.
“Hey, buddy. I brought you a treat too.” Evan pulled a biscuit out of his pocket and instructed the dog to sit before he handed it over.
