Page 2 of Daddy's Perfect Ballerina

I don’t even make it all the way into my apartment before my phone chimes. Only, it’s not a call or a text, it’s a reminder.

Shit.I grimace looking at it while awkwardly trying to shut the door with my hip. I flip the deadbolt into place, still absently looking at the calendar on my screen. Under today’s date, it reads:

Noah’s Housewarming 8pm - Must Attend

Noah Hamilton and I shared a friend group in college. We were an unlikely pair—a football star and a classically trained dancer—but we worked. We even looked alike, kind of. Both fit and blonde with similar jawlines and eyes. Casual friends though, for the most part.

Until his wedding—which I attended. He got married, promptly slept with his wife’s father, got an annulment, and soon after started a relationship with the dad. Noah and I became closer after that chaos calmed down.

He needed someone to talk to about all of it, and while I don’t have experience sleeping with my partner’s dad, being with a man… well, I know all about that. Chatting over coffee a couple of times a week became a pretty solid routine for us. Really, he’s my best friend now.

Which is why I’m allowing him to force me into attending a dinner party to celebrate him and Henry, no matter how badly I want a bubble bath and my bed. The couple is officially moving in together, though Noah has basically been living there for months. It makes sense, really. Henry Donahue isn’t a man to be turned down.

He’s ridiculously handsome—older, of course—rich, and powerful too. He owns multiple businesses and coaches our alma mater’s hockey team. I hear retirement from the college may be coming soon, though. Why would he want to continue with such a big commitment when he could use the time to dote on and seduce Noah?

As if I’ve summoned him, my phone chimes again.

Noah:

You can come early and eat dinner with us if you want! :)

Me:

Can’t. I have a sandwich in the fridge and a shower that must be taken.

Noah:

Shower here, duh. :p

Um, not happening.There’s no way I’m going to see these two without being entirely prepared.

Me:

Are you trying to trick me into helping you set up or something?

Noah:

Lol. I’M not even setting up.

Noah:

I’m just bored.

Me:

Don’t you have a man to help you with that? ;)

Noah:

You’re right… Actually, you probably shouldn’t come early.

I laugh through a breath.

Me:

Cue eye roll. See you in a little while.

Noah:

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