Loving My Best Friend's Dad(22)

“I understand that. Before I went to college, I was pretty wild. In fact, Renee probably gets all of it from me. When I went to college, I had to shape up. My father threatened to cut me off otherwise. I made a 180 degree change, but it came at a real cost. Sometimes I wonder if I could let go a little, relax now that I’ve finally achieved my goal, but I’ve been on the straight and narrow for so long that if I fall off...”

I pause here. The realization has come out of nowhere, but it explains so much. I mean, I’ve never even taking a vacation in almost ten years. I’ve been too busy bouncing from one project to another, never stopping, never considering the alternative. And it’s cost me my family, my relationships, everything. The fact that Emilia’s been able to break through it all with such ease, frankly it’s shocking even to me.

“Well,” she says softly to me. “If I hadn’t let go and taken a chance, I never would have been there that night. We would have never met.”

“About that,” I mutter. “I still haven’t figured out what to do with Renee. She lied to me.”

“She’s also twenty one and can do whatever she wants now,” Emilia reminds me. “And if you try and corner her on it, you’d have to tell her about us.”

She has a point, but it still rankles me. I can’t help it. I might not have been there for Renee when she was younger, but I want to now, and that involves being a parent. I wasn’t ready to be a father at twenty three years of age, and that’s a regret that I’ll hold onto forever. That I wasn’t able to be there for my child.

“Maybe I will,” I say roughly, but I know that won’t happen. No matter how much I enjoy my time with Emilia. And I do, I do enjoy my time with her, I realize with a jolt. I’ve enjoyed myself more this week than I have in years. Spending my time with this beautiful woman, in bed and out. What I felt for Emilia is complex, a headache to even think about right now because of what it means.

And then, as if to underscore that fact, I look up and see a very familiar face, my COO, walking towards us. What were the chances that in a city of millions we would both be strolling through the park? Shit. I can’t have the people I work with seeing me with such a young woman, it would send the rumor mill into overdrive. I know what people would say, and there are plenty of people who would be happy to see my company stocks falter so they could snap up the companies we’re looking to do business with. Emilia stands up too, curious.

“What’s going on? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“No ghost,” I say quickly. “But I just realized we’re going to be late for our helicopter tour.”

“Helicopter?!” she exclaims. “Really?”

I put my hand on her back and steer her down the path.

“I thought it would be the perfect way to end the day. They fly everywhere too, the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, all around the Chrysler building and Central Park. A private flight for just the two of us.”

Emilia listens, enthralled, and I sneak a look backwards. The guy’s stopped now, busy taking pictures with an Indian woman. I realize that my COO is married to someone else, a redhead I think, and that that must be some other guy. I guess in my panic over being caught my eyes played tricks on me.

One thing’s for sure though, I think as we make our way to the elevators that would take us down to the streets. No matter how much I enjoy spending time with Emilia, the truth of the matter is that it would never work between us. It’s better not to entertain the thought of something more, not if I want to protect what I’ve worked so hard to make.





Emilia


Today was the perfect day, there’s no doubt about that. From morning to night, Nate planned it all to perfection. And if not for the fact that Renee met up with us for dinner, I would have called it the most romantic date I’d ever had. Because it was romantic, especially when were together in the back of the helicopter, taking in the beautiful sight of New York City at sunset, so close to the buildings and sights that I felt like I could reach out and touch them. It was so magical, so perfect. And even though we were wearing headphones, and the noise of the blades was deafening, there were no need for words.

Nate held my hand, squeezed tight in his, protecting me even as we soared above the sky, and it was enough.

But now everything’s ending. Tonight is our last night together. The last time I’d wait until midnight before crossing into his room. It’s the last time I’ll be in his arms, completely at peace. I dread it, and yet, I know I’m going to go. There’s no way I would miss one more chance to be with Nate. Not for anything, not for any kind of bittersweet pain.