Page 10 of Summer with a Daddy

It’s been hours and I still haven’t seen Luke again. I’ve tried to work on my thesis paper and made it through one article. I also took a quick walk on the beach and down the boardwalk. Love Beach is an adorable little town and there are so many places I want to visit.

If Luke doesn’t get back soon, I’m going to go out. Maybe get dinner or visit that bakery I heard about that keeps having hot firefighters show up. I’m not interested in finding any other man, but surely looking at a group of hot civil servants could brighten my day. If it’s at the same time as eating a cupcake? I don’t see a single downside.

At least I wouldn’t be sitting here, in Luke’s house, waiting for a man I shouldn’t want.

I’m putting on my shoes when my phone rings and I smile when I see my best friend’s name and silly face on the screen.

“Brooke!” I excitedly answer.

“Hey, babe! How are things going with your sexy bearded man?” she asks.

“I’m fine,” I answer, not telling her the truth or actually answering the question. “What are you doing today?”

“Working like always, but you just lied to me. Why?”

“I didn’t lie to you.” This is the problem of having a lifelong bestie, she knows you too well that she can even hear your lies through the phone.

“Natalie, I want to know what’s wrong right now or I will get on a plane and fly to Love Beach to kick the ass of whoever has upset you.”

“Why do you think someone’s upset me?”

“Because Brooke knows all.” We both laugh. “Is it Luke?”

“Yes,” I admit. “I’m just confused about things and it’s not him that’s the problem. I think I’ve screwed up.”

“Explain it to me like I’m not there,” she says. “I’m sure that it’s not as complicated as you are making it all out to be. You brainy types like to do that. It’s why you need me. Little brains, big mouth.”

“Ugh, I hate it when you talk about yourself like that.” This is an argument we’ve had many, many times.

“Spill.”

“Okay. I got here yesterday, and we kissed in the pool.”

“And…”

“We had a great dinner and then he made me a yummy peach drink and held my hand as we walked on the beach.”

“All of this sounds perfect and exactly like what you dreamed about happening.”

I lower my voice so that no one hears me, even though I’m here I’m here by myself, “He caught me in the shower, joined me, took me to his bed, and ordered me to do amazing things to him.”

“What!”

“Then he called it our bed and our room this morning and got mad when I tried to go back to the guest room. I told him I understood how this is just a summer thing or even a one-night weekend, but he got mad and left.”

“Okay…”

I hear Brooke take a deep breath and wait for her to laugh at me for being such a loser at all of this love stuff, but of course, she doesn’t.

“Natalie, you sweet little pumpkin pie, that man called his bedroom that he’s never shared with anyone else your room and you don’t get that he’s crazy about you?”

“But, he’s my dad’s best friend. It’s crazy.”

A masculine voice answers. “It sure is, sweet girl, but I don’t care. I’m absolutely crazy about you.”

I turn to find Luke leaning in the doorway.

“Is that Beard Daddy?” Brook asks, loudly.

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