Page 26 of Claimed by my Bestie's Dad

Mia:I assume Theo isn’t invited. Girls only, right?

Aurora:Girls only! This is supposed to be the Spinsters’ Society. You’re the one who decided to mess that up by getting a hot guy.

I roll my eyes and scroll through the next four or five messages without reading them. I love my friends, but for some reason, everything that Aurora does right now seems to annoy me.

The last message has my name. They’re starting to wonder why I haven’t responded.

I finally tap out a response.Sorry. I’m dealing with two giant dogs who are more trouble than they’re worth. Maybe I should charge by the pound instead.

Stella responds immediately.That makes it sound like you’re going to eat them.

I turn my phone on silent, deciding not to tell them I won’t be arriving at Groovy Grounds. It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, and I don’t want to explain that I’m having dinner with Aurora’s dad.

None of them would get it, especially not Aurora. I push thoughts of my friend aside, because if I start to think about her, then I start to feel guilty.

And I can’t afford to feel guilty.

13

ETHAN

I just helpedMadison with the dogs for the evening, then came home and showered. My short hair is still damp, but I want to smell like myself, not like the hospital when we’re exploring each other tonight.

I thought I might have to adopt a dog as an excuse to spend more time with Madison. But now, it seems like helping with her dogs is excuse enough. I’ll take any reason I can get.

I check on the frozen dinner, and it’s almost ready. The cheese on the top of the lasagna is just starting to bubble and turn brown.

I hear Madison knock, and I head to the door, checking on my button-down shirt and jeans to make sure I haven’t managed to spill anything on them.

I’m reminded of the first time Madison knocked on my door, and a mix of emotions hit me. I felt so turned on the first time I saw her. I thought she was coming here to be my date. Tonight, she really is.

We both know what’s going to happen after dinner.

But I also feel annoyed, somewhat at myself for the way I treated her, but also at her for asking me for money.

Still…if she hadn’t come over that day, I wouldn’t have known she was worth paying attention to. And none of this would have happened.

I open the door and study Madison. She’s wearing a long-sleeved white and pink dress that is open enough at the top to give me a good view of her breasts. It’s hard to keep my eyes on her face as I open the door for her.

“Ready?”

“Yes, I’m interested to see what…” She lifts her nose into the air and starts sniffing.

“I think you’ve been spending too much time with your dogs. You’re starting to look like them,” I tease.

Madison cuts her eyes at me, but I can tell she’s amused. “What are you making?”

“Lasagna.”

Madison’s eyebrows rise. I don’t meet her expectations. “It’s a frozen lasagna, but it’s a good brand. I’ve had it before.”

“You know, I could have eaten a frozen meal at my own house.”

“Yes, you could have, but you wouldn’t have had the entertaining company I’m going to provide. Come on into the kitchen. Would you like a drink?”

We head into my kitchen where I’ve added some candles for a romantic effect. The lights are dimmed just enough to create a warm atmosphere. There’s something about having Madison here that makes me want to put in the effort.

“Sure, I’ll take a little something, but just a little. I’m not a big drinker.”

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