Page 40 of One Night With My Grumpy Professor Daddy

Not because I’m still affected by him, but because I don’t want to draw too much attention to myself, I nod and pull my hand away. “The legal aid clinic should be unoccupied right now,” I say, and we head there.

I order my heart to be still as he closes the door behind us. I’m not going to be affected by his presence or the fact that we’re alone here. I’m going to stay on track. Hang on to my anger and not allow my heart to be swayed.

He stands by the door. “I owe you an apology. First of all, for assuming the worst about your feelings toward Zoe. I never should’ve jumped to conclusions.”

His words touch a raw nerve, the pain of that night still fresh in my memory. “OK?”

His shoulders slump, a weary sigh escaping his lips. “And then about my dad,” he adds, “Ava, you have every right to be angry. I’m the last person to tell you not to be. My father is…a complicated man. He doesn’t mind hurting people to get what he wants, and I know that.”

Although I’m trying not to empathize with him, I can’t ignore the pain in his eyes. It looks like that of a victim.

“My father’s actions have hurt a lot of people. Including my family. Me, Zoe, and Sarah, Zoe’s mother…”

He trails off, his words a vague allusion to a tragic past. It’s a side of him I’ve never seen before, and it leaves me torn between empathy and anger.

“Why are you here, Drake?” I demand, my voice trembling with emotion.

He takes a step closer, closing the gap between us. “Because I’m selfish. Because I don’t want us to be like this because of a man that hurt us both. Because I want to be here for you. Because I want to find a way to heal your breaking heart. I can’t bear the thought of us being apart, Ava. It’s too much.”

I want to push him away, to guard my heart from the turmoil he brings into my life, but his closeness weakens me. Drake leans in, his lips brushing against mine in a soft, tentative kiss.

It’s as if a dam bursts within me, unleashing a torrent of emotions I can no longer contain. The anger, the hurt, the longing—all of it crashes over me in a wave of desire and vulnerability. I respond to his kiss with a hunger that surprises us both, our lips locked in a desperate embrace.

When we finally pull away, our breaths ragged, he looks at me with a sincerity that pierces my defenses. “Ava, I want to try and fix what’s been broken.”

Tears glisten in my eyes as I consider his plea. “I don’t know, Drake. I need time to think.”

He nods, his gaze unwavering. “Take all the time you need. But please know that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make things right.”

Just as I turn to walk out, I say what has been on my mind for a while. “I can’t believe you thought I was upset you had a daughter.” I think about the glimpse of the little girl I saw at the dinner event, and a pang of hurt shoots through me. “She seems sweet… It would’ve been nice to meet her at some point.”

Drake’s eyes brighten up slightly. “How about next week? She’s a bundle of joy, I’m sure you’ll love her.”

Chapter twenty-four

Drake

What am I doing?

Although the last conversation with Ava felt like it ended in a stalemate, there was one thing we agreed on regardless of what happens. So here I am, standing under a tree at a park so she can meet my angel.

Honestly, the whole thing makes me nervous. It’s been just the two of us for so long.

And I don’t introduce Zoe to just anyone. I’ve never really considered anyone in my life outside of my family important enough to meet her. So, this meeting might not look like it, but it’s a big deal to me.

When Ava arrives, she’s glowing, looking delicious, with her plump breasts spilling over the top of her orange and white polka-dotted halter dress.

I point her out to Zoe as she approaches us, and she looks up at Ava, her head tilted. “Yeah, I like you.”

Ava’s eyebrows shoot up, and I’m sure mine do too.

What is Zoe talking about?

“I read your lips when you were coming. You said, ‘Hope she likes me’.”

Ava smiles and bends so she’s at eye level with Zoe. “So, you read my lips? If you did, you’d also hear that I said I hope she likes Princess Fiona.”

Zoe’s eyes light up immediately. “That’s my favorite princess!” she says, lisping from the space of her missing tooth.

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