Page 20 of Thanksgiving With Dad's Best Friend

“You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about Thanksgiving,” he tells me. “And this year, I thought I wouldn’t have anything to be thankful for. In previous years, I’ve always put my wife at the top of things I’m thankful for. But that’s very different this year.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, this is a positive thing, I swear,” Eddie says cheerfully. “It’s made me realize a few things. It’s made me realize how important other people in your family are. The ones who love you unconditionally. Like my daughter, of course. And then there’s friendships…ours has lasted almost as long as my marriage did. And that’s something, right? That’s important.”

I stare at Eddie. I care about the man a lot, but right now, I’m struggling to find a part of me that feels any affection for him. I’ve got tunnel vision…he’s the one obstacle I need to overcome to get what I want. Why did I have to fall for his daughter? Why do I have to want something unattainable? I grip my cutlery harder, wishing I could push past this anger and forget her, but I know that’s not likely any time soon.

“Sure. It’s important.”

“And now I’m thinking about you and this woman you’re interested in…and I envy the place you’re in at the moment. The point where everything is special. Even your arguments matter a lot because you care so damn much about resolving them. But I’m thankful that you’re getting your chance at it all. Thankful that I might get this chance again…there’s a lot to be thankful for, I guess.”

I sigh. Eddie’s got such a good heart. It seems ridiculous to be so angry at him right now when he’s actually telling me that he’s thankful for my happiness. But I know that would change if he knew who was causing my happiness, I don’t think he’d be so damn cheerful right now.

What am I thankful for? Probably the fact that he hasn’t got a clue what’s going on.

“Hey man, is this really getting you down? I can see that something’s up,” Eddie says with a concerned frown. I shrug awkwardly and he sighs sympathetically at me.

“I won’t pry too much, man. I know you don’t like to share details of your personal life, unlike me, the massive blabbermouth…but whatever’s going on, whatever issue it is that you have to overcome…just push through it, man. You only live once, after all. If you really want something, you just have to reach out and grab it. Forget the consequences. We’re not getting any younger…if we waste this time we have now, we’ll regret it when we’re old, right? I mean, I wish I’d done more to keep my wife…but now I have to live with the fact that I didn’t. So I don’t want you to make that same mistake.”

I glance up at Eddie. His eyes are full of kindness, and it occurs to me how similar Lexi is to her father. The qualities they have make them good people. While I’m sitting here hating his guts for holding me back, he’s rooting for me. So where the hell do I go from here?

If I follow his advice, I’ll still be betraying him. And yet, I’ll be honoring the advice he’s given me. I know I’m twisting his words. He didn’t give me permission to sleep with his daughter. But he told me to get what I want…and I want her more than anything in the fucking world. I have to have her…and now, he’s given me a reason not to feel guilty about it.

“Thanks, man,” I tell him with a smile. “I guess I’ll dive in head-first.”

Lexi

I’ve never had such an exhausting day. I’ve spent the whole day in town trying to find things to do to distract myself. I’ve walked for miles in a daze, even though it’s cold out today. I’ve tried to find comfort in the holiday spirit. But I can’t do it. Thanksgiving might be on the way, but I’ve been dealt a blow that I’m not sure I can cope with.

I’m falling for Flynn. That’s a given. It’s been quick and unexpected and more painful than I ever could have imagined. Now that I’ve had a taste of what it’s like to be with him, I’m desperate to take it all the way.

But my father means so much to me. I don’t want to see him hurt. I don’t want to be the reason he’s unhappy. And I’ve thought a lot about that today. Despite the pain it’s causing me to be away from Flynn, I don’t want to transfer these feelings to Dad. I wouldn’t wish these emotions on my worst enemy.

And yet, I feel like I deserve my slice of happiness. I’m not saying that I’ve had a tough life, but I guess it’s been lonely. I’ve never known what it’s like to fall in love with a man. All my friends are in relationships, and they’ve always questioned what I’m waiting for. Well, I was waiting for this. I was waiting for a kind of attraction that keeps me up at night, and I spent all of last night thinking of him. I’ve been waiting for a man that makes me want to leave the single life behind, and honestly, Flynn has made me feel more in two days than anyone else ever has.

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