Page 15 of One Night with my Best Friend's Dad

“You should be sorry. She’s half your age and had her whole life ahead of her. She doesn’t want to be tied down with a man who’s graying at the sides and—”

“Dad!” Kelly yells.

“No Kelly, I warned you last night that if you leave this house with this man and go to live in New York, to never come back.”

“Glen,” Kelly’s mom says. “You can’t say that. She’ll always have a home here.”

“It’s my home, and—”

I thought it was only my daughter who’d be a problem, but her father is now added to the list.

“Then I won’t come back.” Kelly comes to stand beside me. “I’m sorry, but I told you last night that I wouldn’t give him up.”

I stand, conflicted, as Kelly stands up to her parents. Part of me is elated that she’s choosing me, but another part is riddled with doubt. Can I truly be the man she deserves? A father to our child?

I keep these worries to myself, not wanting to cast a shadow over her decision.

She turns to me, a determined glint in her eyes. “I’m leaving with Mac today,” she announces to her parents. “But we’d love for you to visit us in New York whenever you’re ready. Or,” she adds, a soft smile playing on her lips, “when the baby arrives.”

My heart swells at her words, and I feel a surge of pride at her standing by me, despite the challenges we are no doubt going to face.

I glance over to the corner and see her suitcase waiting.

“Kelly, are you sure about this?” her mother asks, her lips turn downward, and I hate that I’m taking her away on such a sour note.

“I’m sure,” Kelly replies, her voice steady as she looks her in the eye. “Mac and I, we have something special. And I want to give this a chance for all of us.”

She turns to me, hope in her eyes as she searches my face for the truth. I nod. “We do.”

She smiles. “Then I’m ready to go, if you are.”

“Let’s go.”

Kelly steps forward and embraces her parents, whispering something too low for me to hear. When she pulls back, there are tears in her eyes, but her smile is radiant.

“I love you,” she says, with a shaky breath.

“We love you too, Kelly,” her mother replies, pulling her in for one last hug.

Kelly’s father watches, his expression torn between worry and resignation. As Kelly turns to me, he speaks up.

“Take care of her, Mac. And that baby.”

I meet his gaze and give him a heartfelt nod. “I will. I promise.”

“I haven’t forgiven you yet,” he adds.

“I accept that.”

I pull up to my apartment in New York, Kelly by my side. The journey from California was tense, with both of us lost in our own thoughts.

As we step inside, I’m struck by how quiet and empty it feels without Piper here. But with Kelly and our baby on the way, I know this place is about to get a lot livelier.

“Welcome home,” I say, turning to Kelly, searching her face for any sign of regret.

She offers me a small smile, but worry coats her eyes, and I know this won’t be easy. Not only the age gap, or that I’m her best friend’s father, but also the disapproval of her parents. But I’m determined to make this work.

“You must be so hungry.” I lead her over to the couch, gesturing for her to have a seat.

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