Page 10 of My Daddy Valentine

Ava is quiet for a moment, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest of the couch. I know she’s thinking, trying to come up with a solution or some way to help me. She’s always been like that—wanting to fix things for me.

“Well, you’re right. You deserve to be recognized for your talent, not who you’re related to,” she says finally. “But I still don’t get why he’s being so tough on you. Maybe you need to let your guard down with him a little.”

“I don’t know. Maybe he’s just... hard to read. I feel like sometimes he’s not even looking at me, you know? Just... past me, like I’m not there. And then other times, I catch him staring.” I laugh nervously, feeling my face flush. “And it’s like he’sstudyingme, trying to figure me out or something. It’s... weird.”

Ava’s eyes widen. “Staring? At you? Ella, are you telling me Simon is actually—what,attractedto you? Because from everything I’ve seen, he doesn’t exactly seem like the ‘let’s smile and flirt’ type.”

I bite my lip, unsure of how to explain the confusing emotions I feel when Simon’s around. “I don’t know. I’m not saying he’s flirting with me. It’s just... I catch him looking at me sometimes, and it’s hard not to notice. And then, I get all nervous, and I’m not sure what to do with that. I think he’s attractive—like,ridiculouslyattractive. But he’s older, and he’s so...intense. It’s hard to get a read on him.”

Ava leans back, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “Okay, but let’s be real here. You’re completely smitten with him. I can see it. You can’t stop talking about him.”

I roll my eyes, though there’s a tiny, uncontainable smile tugging at my lips. “I am not! I’m just... frustrated, okay? He’s so smart and he knows everything about this world. And yeah, he’s good-looking, but he’s... impossible. I’mprettysure he doesn’t even like me. At all.”

Ava raises her eyebrows and gives me a knowing look. “Pretty sure? Ordefinitely sure? You don’tactuallythink he’s going to ignore you forever, right? I mean, you’re just... irresistible, Ella.”

I shake my head, trying to push the flush that’s creeping up my neck down. “Stop it. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Ava laughs, clearly enjoying teasing me. “I think he’s just playing hard to get. He’solder, right? So maybe he’s trying to act all distant and professional, but deep down? Oh yeah, I think he’s got a thing for you.”

I can’t help but feel my heart flutter at the thought, but I push it away. I don’t know what it is about Simon that gets under my skin, but I can’t let myself get wrapped up in it. I’m here for my work, not to get distracted by...him.

Before I can say anything else, Ava shifts the conversation back to another topic. “So, about Kimmy’s wedding. You’re going, right?”

“Yeah, of course I am. I’m her maid of honor,” I say, my voice softening as I think about my sister. “It’s just... everything’s happening so fast. The details, the planning, I’m trying to keep up. But it’s all worth it. She’s so happy.”

Ava nods, her face suddenly serious. “I know you’re excited for her, but I can’t help but think... are you really going to go alone? I mean, come on, Kimmy’s wedding is going to be this huge,beautiful event, and you’ll be theresolo? Maybe you should take someone with you.”

I furrow my brow. “What? Like, take a date?”

Ava shrugs casually. “Sure. Why not? You could ask Simon. You’re both already spending a lot of time together. He could be a great plus-one.”

I freeze, my heart skipping a beat. “Wait... what? You’re serious? Ask Simon to go with me to the wedding?”

Ava grins like she’s found a secret treasure. “Why not? You’re obviously into him. He’s obviously into you. It’s a perfect setup. You’d get to spend more time with him, and he’d be your ‘date’ to a big fancy event. Just imagine it—dressed up in a suit, looking all hot and broody. You’d both be turning heads.”

I laugh nervously, and the idea seems impossible. “Ava, you’re crazy. That’s... I can’t. I barely even know if he likes me, and you want me to ask him to be my date to my sister’s wedding? That’s... I don’t know if I could handle that.”

Ava leans in closer, her voice a playful whisper. “You won’t know until you ask. What’s the worst that could happen?”

I stare at her for a long moment, the idea swirling in my head. I can’t deny the flutter in my stomach at the thought of Simon—my Simon, looking at me in a way that isn’t professional, not detached. Just... interested. Maybe even something more.

I’m not sure I’m ready for all of that. But then again, I’m not sure I can resist.

“Okay,” I say finally, rolling my eyes. “I’ll think about it. But no promises.”

Ava smirks. “I’m just saying, if you don’t ask him, I will.”

I groan and throw my pillow at her. “You’re unbelievable.”

Ava catches it easily, still grinning. “You’re welcome,” she says. “I’m just trying to help.”

As I sit back against the couch, my mind races. Asking Simon to the wedding—what would it even be like? He’s older, distant, maybe even uninterested. But then again, maybe he’s just waiting for me to make the first move. Or maybe, just maybe, he’s thinking the same thing about me.

I don’t know. But whatever happens, this is going to be one hell of a ride.

7

Simon

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