Page 40 of Thanksgiving With Dad's Best Friend

And I have apologies of my own to make. I lied to him, after all. I took advantage of his good nature and twisted his words in my favour. When he told me to go after what I want, I tried to convince myself it was the same as him giving me his blessing. Of course that wasn’t true, and I shouldn’t have done the things I did.

But Lexi drives me wild. She’s made me realize I’d do crazy things for her that I’d never dream of doing otherwise. The way I confronted Eddie was so unlike me. She brings out the caveman side of me that speaks with his fists instead of talking things over. Eddie didn’t deserve that, even though he said things that night that hurt everyone involved. Today, if he’s willing to apologize and move on, then I’ll make sure I do too.

Lexi has organized this whole thing. She and her father have shared a few tense text messages since she sent him a wedding invitation. She needs this to go right…she’s desperate for a win. We’ve been trying for a baby ever since we got together, and even though we make love every single night without fail, we’ve yet to get pregnant. I know it’s getting her down more than she says, and it hurts to see her so miserable and pensive. If things go right today with her father, at least she’ll have something to make her smile.

As I’m finishing getting ready, she enters our bedroom. After she finished her studies, she moved straight in with me. We didn’t even really discuss it. After all, we’re going to be married in a week. Living together is hardly the biggest step we’ve ever taken. Plus, after all the challenges we’ve faced from being in a long-distance relationship, it feels so right to be able to wake up in our own home side by side.

She smiles at me as I show her the shirt I’ve picked out.

“You look nice,” she says sweetly. She’s wearing a cute sundress that she’s spent a week picking out. I know she’s dithered over what to choose for a long time. She’s probably been thinking about this reunion before it was decided that it would happen.

“And you look beautiful,” I tell her, stepping forward to kiss her. As always, I feel myself getting aroused. I love the way her skirt skims above her knees. It’s short enough to allow me to fantasize about what’s underneath but today is the wrong time to suggest a quick. I can tell she’s nervous. As I step away from the kiss, she smooths down her dress.

“My Dad bought me this dress a long time ago,” she says with a sigh. “I’m hoping it’ll bring back memories for him…I just want things to go well.”

I sigh. “Well, you know I have some doubts but I really hope you get the outcome you want. For your sake and Eddie’s. I know he’ll have missed you.”

“He’s missed you too,” Lexi says quietly. “He might not show it today…he might take a little time to warm up to us. But I know he cares deep down.”

I’m not sure she’s right. He seemed so angry the last time we saw one another that I wouldn’t put it past him to hold his grudge forever. But I smile and nods because I want to give her hope that this is going to be fine.

The time to leave the house comes around too quickly for me. As we get in my car and drive out to Los Angeles, my heart is palpitating. We don’t speak much in the car, but I keep catching Lexi looking at her phone. I’m not sure if she’s waiting for him to cancel, or if she’s just desperate to hear from him, but either way, her nervous tick doesn’t make things easier. I don’t want her to be disappointed. All I can do is pray that she gets the best outcome. Then next week will go without a hitch.

We pull up outside of the restaurant where we’re meeting and Lexi reaches over to squeeze my hand. It says everything that we’re too nervous to say out loud. That no matter what happens, we’ve got each other. We head inside and state our reservation. As we do, the waitress tells us that Eddie has already arrived.

I spot him first as we’re led over to him. I can tell he’s nervous, but there are three glasses of champagne on the table, which I take to be a good sign. His eyes are drawn first to his daughter and he stands up hastily to greet her. The waitress leaves and we all stare at one another quietly. The tension is making me nervous.

“Lexi…I’m so glad you came,” Eddie says.

Lexi

My heart skips a beat. I’ve been waiting so long for this day to come, but now that it’s here, I’m a bundle of nerves. My Dad steps forward to hug me and I feel relief wash over me as we embrace. I’m trembling in his arms, but the fact that he’s not repulsed by me is definitely a good start.

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