My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 107 Tyler's Ploy

Evelyn

"You're leaving?" I murmured, pushing myself upright, still groggy, and rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I squinted, piecing together the sight of him fastening his watch and slipping on his coat.

"Yeah, love," he said, walking over to plant a soft kiss on my cheek. "Go back to sleep. It's too early for you to be up. I've got some business at the office. I'll make sure breakfast is on its way for you, alright?" His touch lingered on my cheek.

Truth be told, I didn't want him to go. But was it right to hold him back? Not a chance.

His work mattered, and I understood the dedication he had towards what he'd built, despite how unaffected he tried to appear yesterday. Tyler's antics had rattled things for him, and as much as I craved his presence-right here, close to me-I couldn't ignore that it would be selfish.

The last thing I wanted was to exacerbate his problems any further.

"You haven't had breakfast yet, have you?" I blurted out.

"I'll grab something on the way, don't worry," he reassured, attempting to step away, but I caught his arm.

I knew he wouldn't. I knew him too well to believe that. He was the kind of person who forgot about himself when consumed by something, whether it was me or his work.

Jacob Adriano was never his own top priority. But he was mine.

"You've got fifteen minutes to spare?" My gaze softened. "I can whip up some pancakes. It's not much, but at least you won't be wandering around on an empty stomach. Please?"

"Evelyn... it's too early for you to be up anyway," he sighed, trying to coax me. "You don't have to do this. Just lay back and get some sleep. I'll be fine."

"I didn't ask if you'd be fine or not, Jacob. Do you have fifteen minutes? You wouldn't say no if I asked for a cuddle."

I saw defeat flicker across his face before he let out a resigned sigh, probably realizing I wouldn't give in today. "Fine. I'll stay."

A smile crept onto my lips, and I leaned in to plant a quick peck on his lips. "I'll be right back. Wait here for me."

I swiftly tied my hair up with a claw clip and made my way to the kitchen. I'd scoped out Jacob's kitchen before it wasn't exactly equipped. He seemed to live off fast food or restaurant meals. Pasta was a staple, but I couldn't justify cooking that for breakfast. That was more of a dad move-probably the only person in the world who'd indulge in morning pasta.

discussion-Jacob's less-than-functional kitchen miraculously had some pancake mix, much to my relief. Without further ado, I

even brewed coffee at home for myself, let alone cooked. But luckily, the packet had clear

the pancakes, carefully flipping them, I soon felt a familiar hand slide around my waist, and a

breakfast for me..." He murmured, planting a kiss behind my ear. "You know Samuel will kill

chuckled, sliding one

"Your dad's got Clara doing similar 'hard work,' especially now that he's newly married," he laughed. "Can't blame us for that. But let's not give him those details,

nudged his stomach with my

details with him, but I doubt he'd let me off the hook after

devil, you

aware," he murmured into my neck, planting a

of the pancakes, frying them

me from behind, his face nestled into my neck, his embrace akin

were simply oversized babies-I had no

sure what I have in the kitchen," he chuckled. "Anything's

if you don't know, you've got both," I said, extricating myself from his grasp, eliciting a soft groan from him. I moved to the shelves and grabbed both bottles, meticulously checking the dates. I couldn't trust Jacob

me guess-you're less interested in breakfast and more interested in squeezing me tight."

protested, looking at me with mock disbelief. "I just... enjoy

arm talk; you need to eat your breakfast," I said, attempting to separate the plates. He suddenly turned me around, prompting a small gasp to escape my lips. "Why not feed me since you've done so

not a kid, Jacob," I playfully pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to turn away,

willing to

he sounded so

I couldn't believe him.

I wasn't about to deny him

chuckled, turning around and drizzling chocolate syrup

the other

hop onto the counter, drawing me closer as he looped my legs around his waist, the plate sitting between

pancake and offering it to his mouth. He took a bite, and we couldn't help but break into smiles-there was a magical

said, taking the fork from my hand and offering a piece to my mouth. "Can't let my beautiful hungry