Page 55 of Claimed by my Bestie's Dad

I tell myself that it has nothing to do with my relationship with her. I’ve invested in businesses before. This is really no different.

But my argument isn’t very convincing. I know I’m starting to feel something for Madison other than just sexual attraction. And that scares the hell out of me.

26

MADISON

When I showup at Aurora's house for the last planning session before the Christmas party, I’m already a little on edge. Maybe it’s because I’m still thinking about Ethan, about how he’s been so supportive of me and my dream to open a surf school. Or maybe it’s because I haven’t seen the girls in a while, and I can’t shake the feeling that something is off.

Normally, I get at least one text a day from one of them. Mia is always asking me about how safe the ocean is or little tips about the area for her guests. Zoe is always checking on me—and everyone else. Aurora always has something to tell me—usually about someone she saw wearing something completely ridiculous. And Stella is always trying to convince me to go out for drinks with her.

The idea of having to find something to get all the dog hair off my clothes is enough of a reason to say no to Stella. But as I show up at the meeting, I realize that other than the group text from Aurora about the meeting, I haven’t really heard from anyone for a couple of days.

The moment I walk through the door, I can feel thatsomething is off. It’s subtle. No one is saying anything wrong or unusual. But it just feels weird.

Maybe I’m being too sensitive. Aurora has often accused me of that over the years.

But I decide to pretend like nothing is wrong. I can’t let myself start worrying about things now.

Aurora is in the kitchen, stirring something on the stove, and Mia and Zoe are sitting on the couch, scrolling through a holiday-themed Pinterest board on Mia’s phone. They all glance up when I enter, but the energy is…different. Off.

I force a smile and wave as I kick off my shoes. “Hey! What’s up? Are we ready to get this party finalized?”

Aurora doesn’t say anything right away. She just nods, too focused on whatever she’s cooking. “I’m just finishing up this soup. We can’t finish decorating on empty stomachs.”

I move into the kitchen since Mia and Zoe seem absorbed in the phone. “Smells good. What kind of soup is it?”

“Cream of mushroom, but it isn’t like that cream of mushroom that comes out of a can. You have to trust that I wouldn’t serve anyone something that came out of a can.”

My mouth waters as I move closer and see the steam rising from the pot. “Mmmm, you should just make this for the party. It looks easier than the appetizers we’ve planned.”

“No, because soup is too easy to spill, and then I need to rearrange the table to have spoons as well. The point of making everything something you can grab with your hand is to minimize silverware usage.”

I shrug, not really caring what’s served. I was just trying to be friendly.

Stella pops in just then, and everyone smiles when they see her. “Hello! Merry Christmas! I bring with me chocolate-covered pretzels.”

Mia and Stella immediately start splitting the pretzels, but Aurora gives them a sour look like the pretzels are somehow upstaging the soup she’s made.

I continue to stand staunchly by her side. We are all friends, but sometimes, there are silent battles like this, annoyances that we don’t speak about.

“How’s the job going?” I ask Aurora.

“Oh, it’s…not good. No, not good. I’m pretty sure I’m not going to stay at it for much longer. I want to get out of there and find my people.”

I’ve heard Aurora complain enough about her job to know that “her people” are definitely not what the company is made of. “I guess when you have a boring office job, that’s what happens.”

“Well, I would never stoop as low as dog-sitting.”

I remain silent. Apparently, Aurora wouldn’t stoop as low as dog-sitting, but she doesn’t mind insulting me. I look down at my leggings and see some light-colored fur clinging to them. That must be Tigger.

Finally, Aurora pronounces the soup ready. “Bowls are over here. Serve yourself, and you can pair it with this salad and bread. Enjoy!”

We start lining up like some sort of Friendsgiving meal and dig in. It’s easier that we’re not talking when we’re sitting around taking bites of food.

I try to start a conversation once we’re all seated and have appropriately thanked Aurora for her delicious cooking. She’s still glowing from our compliments when I ask. “So, is anyone going somewhere for Christmas, or will you all be staying here?”

Mia and Zoe exchange a look, and that’s when the uneasiness in my stomach twists a little tighter. Have I saidsomething wrong? Something must be going on that I don’t know about.

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