Page 34 of One Week With My Dad's Best Friend

Mom’s voice filters through in the background. “She’s old enough to make her own decisions. Stop overreacting.”

“I’m not overreacting, Sam. He’s my best friend! And he is too old for her.”

Heat rises in my cheeks as I lock eyes with Anton. “You know what, Dad? I don’t care what Cassandra sent you. I’m an adult, and I can be with whoever I want.”

“Did you not hear me? He’s twelve years older than you!”

It’s actually thirteen,but I choose to keep that to myself.

“And? That doesn’t matter to me. I’m not coming home, by the way. I’m staying right where I am.”

“Scarlett—”

Mom’s voice comes closer. “Give me the phone.” There’s a rustling sound, then Mom’s calmer tone. “Honey, I’ll talk to your father. He just needs time to process this.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Your father will come around,” Mom says, her voice softening. “He’s just protective of his little girl.”

“I’m not little anymore.”

“No, you’re not.” She pauses. “Anton is a decent man. I’ve known him as long as your father has.”

I sink onto the couch, relief flooding through me. “You’re okay with this?”

“Sweetheart, all I want is for you to be happy. Are you happy?”

Anton sits beside me, his hand finding mine. I squeeze it. “Yes, Mom. I’m better than happy.”

“Then that’s all that matters.”

Dad’s voice thunders in the background. “Have you both lost your minds? Sam, you can’t encourage this!”

Mom laughs. The sound is light and musical. “Remember when my father said the same thing about us? You were that hotshot lawyer, yet you still weren’t perfect for his daughter.”

I giggle, picturing Grandpa’s face back then. “Did he?”

“Oh yes. He threatened to disown me. Said your father would break my heart and leave me penniless.”

“Well, that worked out fine for him,” I say, remembering how Grandpa became Dad’s biggest supporter.

Dad grumbles something unintelligible in the background.

“Speaking of your father being a hotshot lawyer,” Mom says, “remember when he tried to impress my parents by cooking that fancy dinner?”

“No, what happened?”

“He set off every smoke alarm in the house and we had to order pizza. The fire department showed up.”

We both burst out laughing. Even Anton chuckles beside me.

“Sam!” Dad shouts. “Stop telling her these things!”

“Oh hush, James,” Mom calls back. “Honey, just give your father time. He’ll realize that sometimes the heart knows better than the head.”

“It does,” I say with tears in my eyes. “Thank you. Love you, Mom.”

“Love you too, darling.”

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