My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 21 Kisses & Promises

Evelyn

"You're thoughtful," I remarked, my gaze fixed on Jacob who lay beside me.

"I don't deserve all the credit," he replied, adjusting his position by propping his head on his arm, "Most people know beaches look even better at night. The sea's beauty is unmatched." A smile appeared on my lips, for reasons unknown.

This moment with Jacob was beautiful. Our fingers intertwined, his eyes meeting mine, our breathing in sync, and the sky blending into the endless blue sea.

The gentle waves brushed against our feet, filling me with bliss.

"Not everyone," I sighed, gazing at the star-filled sky, like a magnificent, glittering veil. "Many fail to see its magnificence, finding it boring."

He remained silent, his eyes fixed on me.

I pulled Jacob's hand closer, tracing my fingers over its back as I admired the sky.

"Tell me something, Jacob," I turned my head to face him, "How many relationships have you had?"

A flicker passed through his eyes, a hint of hesitation evident. He seemed slightly uncomfortable.

"It's okay if you don't want to talk about--" I couldn't finish my sentence because he spoke up.

"Not many," he sighed, "I never really sought long-term commitments. Most of the time, it was more casual. Though I did have a few relationships in the past."

"How did they end? On a good note or..." I left the question hanging, letting him fill in the rest.

"Mutually," he responded, "There were no strings attached, so it was always easy to break free and move on."

"This is why you don't want to settle down?" I asked, intrigued. "Did you fear it would restrict your freedom?

"Not really. We all have our reasons, some of which we prefer to keep hidden," he said, his voice softening. "My life has been complicated, Evelyn. I didn't want further complications. That's why I chose to live this way."

married? Because you don't want a conventional relationship?"

in love, spend more and more time together, expectations rise, your life revolves around your partner, and eventually, love fades either from one side or

actually surprised me, revealing that there were hidden depths beneath his exterior. I realised that there might be mysteries, secrets, or perhaps even traumas he carried within. Unlike me,

such a range of

And you know what? My dad often tells me that I'm his reason for living, and I never doubt it because I've seen how much I mean to him. He found his happiness in me. And now that Clara has come into our lives, everything is even better than before. She loves my dad unconditionally, flaws

simply looked at me, his gaze

failed us once doesn't mean it will always be that way," I smiled, "Life has so much more to offer if we're willing

after, I felt him close his eyes too. "Will you tell me something, Jacob?"

his nose gently

a relationship would complicate your life,

Yet, in his silence and the soft sigh that escaped his

It was love.

lifted my hand to caress his cheek, tracing his stubble with my thumb. "Have you ever been in love before?" I inquired,

that there was something

silence this time felt different, devoid of any hidden answers. Suddenly, he appeared less relaxed and carefree. His body tensed, and his breathing grew

need to tell me now," I reassured him, offering a gentle smile as I planted a light, tender kiss on his lips. "Just

softly as the

us speaking. Sensing Jacob's impending question, I anticipated it

hands, guiding them to rest on my hips, knowing that

warmth spread through me as our

him, he thrust his tongue into my mouth. The kiss began getting heated, and a blaze passed

and heavy kisses; He grazed his teeth against a particular spot of my neck and it made a moan

threw my head backwards, and a quivering breath

me close so that he

kiss. His breathing

think," I replied, my breath uneven as a chuckle escaped

a smile, "You might

struggled to find the right

should probably go, my love," he chuckled, his fingers gently stroking my cheek, "We can't