My Dad's Bestfriend

Sienna

I hadn't gotten ready like he'd ordered me to over the phone-and why would I? I wasn't about to let that asshole win, no matter what had happened between us.

So here I was, trying to bury myself in a book. Mom always used books to distract herself, so I figured I could too. Except it wasn't working for me the way it did for her. My eyes glazed over the words, but my brain refused to quiet.

By the time I was halfway down the fifth page, Mom's voice echoed from downstairs.

"Evelyn, come here!"

"Why?" I shouted back.

"Just come here. You'll see."

With a sigh, I dropped the book and dragged myself down the stairs-only to freeze at the bottom.

Alex stood at the doorway. Roses in his hand. A smile on his face. Not his usual cocky smirk, but a real, genuine smile.

"Ma'am, you're even prettier than Jacob described," he said warmly, handing her the bouquet. "Pretty flowers for a pretty lady."

Mom laughed, actually laughed, before ruffling his hair like he was some kind of adorable boy. "What a charmer!" She pinched his cheek, giggling. "Come inside."

I wanted to roll my eyes into another dimension.

He stepped in like he owned the place, and Mom beamed as if she'd just adopted him. "So, you're Alex, huh? My husband talks about you all the time. I can't believe I'm finally meeting you."

"The pleasure's mine, Evelyn," he said smoothly, his voice dripping with sincerity. "Jacob's told me so much about you."

"And you wouldn't believe how much I've heard about you," Mom chuckled. "Now let me call your friend. She's probably upstairs, tossing and turning on the bed for no reason. Her favorite pastime."

Her eyes shot wide as she turned and spotted me.

"Tossing and turning on the bed?" I arched a brow. "Seriously, Mom?"

bit her tongue, grinning. "Just a slip of the tongue.

"Mom!" I gasped, mortified.

eyes locked. Trouble. That was the look. So much trouble waiting for me. "Why aren't you ready yet? Weren't we supposed to go for

my fists at my sides, standing rigid

him I wasn't going anywhere near him-because

I'm not feeling well," I said,

could even respond. "He came all the way here to pick you

"But Mom-"

Evelyn," Alex said smoothly, stepping in like the gentleman he wasn't. "If she doesn't want to, it's

was even better

decisive. "She needs fresh air anyway. Sienna, go get ready.

Alex is fine with it, why are you

your mother. And

cocky, just amused.

my heel. I stomped back upstairs,

have to get ready after

clearly, my mother had made it her personal mission to ruin my

***

snapped as I reluctantly slid into his car. "How

way to drag you out

creepy

Grayson when you're trying to sound cold. Even you

your fucking dreams." I scoffed, crossing

he was about to fire back, but his eyes flicked toward me instead. Then, leaning in, he reached across the console. His cologne hit me

tugging the strap across my chest and clicking it into place. His knuckles

Way too

in, he pulled back slowly, turning his attention to

get going," he said

muttered, forcing out a laugh. "The sooner we start

go home."