Page 54 of Forbidden You

An even deeper frown forms on the old man’s face.

“Who are you? I want my son,” he sneers, ferociously.

Oh, my god,he has dementia.

“I’m right here.” Bodi tilts his head. The calmness in his voice captures my attention with awe, my respect for him growing by the second. It must be hard to accept that your father doesn’t recognize you, but he handles it with love and patience as if nothing is wrong.

The recognition seems to hit, and his dad’s eyes transform from angry to grateful, from a dark expression to a smile that lights up the room. Relief echoes through the entire room, the stern features on the nurses releasing their tension.

“You’re here.”

“I’m here.” Bodi rubs his palm over his father’s leg.

I lean against the doorpost, my arms hugging my waist with my head resting on the wood, my heart being cradled like a baby.

The man is an enigma.

Bodi can shine on the cover of Men’s Health with his sexy tousled hair and mesmerizing green eyes. But he’s not just a hot piece of man. His soul is just as beautiful, shown when he looks at his dad with a comforting smile or when he compliments Agnes on her outfit of the day. He’s smart and intelligent, looking like a hot nerd when he’s reading a book, but a total macho man when he’s watching a hockey game.

He’s the full package.

And I think he officially took a piece of my heart, I’ll never get back.

“How are you feeling?” Bodi questions, yet he’s ignored when his dad’s gaze travels over Bodi’s shoulder, his kind intense-green eyes now locking with mine.

“Who’s that?” I offer him a tight smile for his question while Bodi follows his father’s gaze.

“That’s Kayla.”

I give him a short wave. “Hi.”

“She’s pretty.” He nods in approval, a playful glint now noticeable, reminding me of his son. “You did good, Son.”

Bodi shakes his head. “We’re not to—” He trails off, but stops himself, not wanting to voice whatever is on his mind, before his gaze meets mine with a troubled look.

“I’ll just wait outside.” I give him an encouraging smile, silently telling him it’s fine, and saving him from the awkwardness of answering that question with the truth.

Because the truth is… minutes ago, he had me pinned against his chest, and as much as he wants to deny it,friendsdon’t end up in that position.

13

“Why haven’t I seen her before?” My dad gives me a stern expression, as if I’m caught with my hand in the cookie jar, and I chuckle as I exhale.

“I’ve only been seeing her a couple of weeks,” I tell him for the sixth time, squeezing his hand in mine. It’s not the full truth, but I can’t confuse him more with my whatever bullshit label I keep slapping onto it.

He’s smitten, asking the same questions over and over again, as the doctor checks his vitals, before his eyes get heavier after they help him in his bed.

And I can’t blame him, because so am I.

I didn’t expect my day to end with introducing Kayla to my father, but seeing the bright smile she has plastered on his cheeks within just a minute makes his repetitive questions more than worth it.

“I’m gonna go now, yeah, dad? I’ll be back tomorrow.”

He grumbles something as he briefly finds my eyes, before he shuts them. “Yep. See you tomorrow, son.”

I get up, then press a kiss to his warm forehead, running my fingertips over his soft, silver waves, before I trail to the door.

“Make sure you bring the girl!”

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