Page 29 of Falling for My Best Friend's Dad
I’m one second away from pinning her to my car and dry-humping her when a car horn startles both of us.
We pull away, gaze at each other and pant heavily before Kayla gets into the car and I close the door for her.
After I buckle up, I have the crazy idea that I should just skip the supply store and get back to the restaurant. It’ll be another hour before the chef and the kitchen helpers come in and the couch in the storeroom will work just fine. Fuck. I’ve gone insane. What happened to the cool-headed guy who told her to wait until she was sure she wanted me?
Kayla’s voice drags my mind from the gutter, “Are you going to get in trouble?”
I take a minute to understand what she means. She’s referring to my heroic but nonetheless reckless action earlier.
I shake my head. “I don’t think so, unless he’s foolish enough to get himself into litigation. Don’t worry. If he started a lawsuit, we’d fight back.”
Chapter 15
Kayla
Autumn is my favorite season. On my way to work in the morning, I can’t focus my eyes on the road and keep glancing at the tufts of red Japanese Maples and golden London Planes that line the streets in Mission Bay.
Before entering the restaurant, I hear the familiar voice of my best friend and my heart leaps with joy. Ivy texted me about her plan of coming to the city, but I didn’t expect it to be so early in the day.
“Ivy!” I call out as soon as I spot her blond ponytail.
Ivy’s chatting with Richard, and she squeals when she turns.
We hug and then pull away to look at each other.
“You’re glowing!” she smiles as her blue eyes scan me up and down. “You see? Quitting that day job is good for you.”
I smile, not telling her the true reason for my glow. From the corner of my eye, I see Richard looking at us. I should say hi to him, but the simple task has become impossible. I’m going to blush if I do that, and Ivy will see through me. So I keep my eyes on her.
“You’ve gotten so tanned!” I say. I saw it from the selfies she sent me over the months, but seeing it in person still amazes me.
Ivy giggles. “What do you expect! I was out in the sun for hours a time and every single day!”
“But you look good with the tan,” I say and look around. “Where is Gavin?”
“Oh he has to meet with a business associate. He’ll be back at noon, though.”
“Great. Let me put on my apron first. I’ll catch up with you later,” I say and turn toward the storeroom.
“Wait,” Ivy says. “Can you go to Union Square with me? I need to pick up my wedding gown.”
“Uh, sure, but...” I glance at Richard, who’s smiling quietly on the side. I blush, suddenly self-conscious. What would Ivy think if she found out her dad and I had become intimate? Ivy teased me about it from time to time, and more than once she even called me Mom, but she couldn’t be serious.
Ivy also turns to look at him. “Dad, can I borrow your manager for a few hours, please?”
“It depends,” Richard says, deadpan. “Are you going to make up her hours later?”
Ivy rolls her eyes. “Okay, Boss!”
Richard chuckles and speaks to me, “It’s fine, Kayla. Take a couple of hours off. I can manage.”
I open my mouth to speak, but Ivy takes my arm and drags me out of the front door. “Thanks, Dad!”
We take the subway since the parking at Union Square is a nightmare and the BART station isn’t far.
The car isn’t crowded. Most of the seats are empty. Although I enjoy the freedom of driving, I also like the relaxation of riding a train. Ivy and I used to do it a lot back in high school and in college whenever she was home during school breaks.
“So are you and my dad together now?” Ivy breaks my reminiscence with her blunt question.
