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.

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

brewed coffee at home for myself, let alone cooked. But luckily, the packet had clear instructions, and I knew enough to turn on the stove. That,

slide around my waist, and a chin rest on my shoulder as the very person I'd asked

ear. "You know Samuel will kill me if he finds out about this. He'd love to

one pancake onto the plate before placing another. "Lots of

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

nudged his stomach with my elbow, unable to stifle

but I

a devil, you

aware," he murmured into my neck, planting a kiss

to his own, I continued making the rest of the pancakes, frying them and setting

face nestled into my neck, his embrace akin

regardless of age, were simply oversized babies-I had no doubt

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

from him. I moved to the shelves and grabbed both bottles, meticulously checking the dates. I couldn't trust Jacob with this who knew if he had expired food in his house? He seemed like the kind of guy who wouldn't mind eating it without a second thought. "And even better, none of it is

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

with mock disbelief.

said, attempting to separate the plates. He suddenly turned me around, prompting a small gasp

kid, Jacob," I playfully pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to

to

sounded

I couldn't believe him.

I wasn't about to

chuckled, turning

on the other

drawing me closer as he looped my legs around

couldn't help but break into smiles-there was a magical essence to this moment, to him, to us. Even amid all the

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