“And?” He is going to have to realize I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m gradually pushing back on things and claiming my independence. I’ll hold off on telling him I’ve started looking for an apartment to rent, he is definitely not ready for that yet — not if going out on a Tuesday night is something he’s questioning.
“Well, it’s just not really a night for going out, is it?”
“Dad, I’m an adult. I can go out if I want, and tonight I’m out with the girls. It’s just a bite to eat and a couple of drinks, nothing heavy.”
“Well, don’t be late home, I want to be out early tomorrow.” He always has to have the last word.
“That’s okay, I’ll drive myself in. I’m actually planning on doing that now on anyway.”
“Don’t be silly. There’s no point in using two cars when we’re going to the same place,” he grumbles.
“There is when we’re going to different places. I won’t always be coming straight into the office. I might have an errand to run, or like tonight, we could be leaving at different times. I’ll drive myself from now on, Dad. But I appreciate you wanting to drive me.” I add the last part to soften the blow.
“Well,” he huffs, “I don’t think it makes sense, but it seems you’ve made your mind up. I’ll say goodnight now, then. Have a good night, Bella.” He leans in to give my cheek a kiss. “Reed,” he nods towards him before turning and heading out the door. The room is silent, the only sounds our gentle breaths.
“Good for you.” His words are gentle yet reassuring.
“I’m not a little girl anymore, Reed. It’s time people start to realize that.”
“Trust me, I’m aware,” he mumbles under his breath. The words are so quiet I’m not sure he meant for me to hear them.
Chapter Three
Bella
These girls are everything. They’ve kept me sane when my overbearing parents are being too much. For years, they’ve told me to push back, to livemylife, not the one my parents have mapped out for me.
When I told my Dad‘no’earlier today, I could hear them cheering me on in my head.
Harper, Ava and I have known each other since elementary, and Mia is the newest member — we met at college and she fitted in like she’s always been a part of our group.
“So…” Harper waggles her eyebrows at me. “Do we still have a massive crush on Reed?”
I snort into my drink. “Oh God, guys, I’m more in love with him than before,” I groan and rest my head on the table as they all just laugh at me, the bitches.
“Bella, we’re all a little in love with that man, he is fucking hot!” Ava, pipes up from her side of the table.
“Does anyone have a photo? I’m the only one that hasn’t seen him,” Mia says as she looks around at us all.
“Imagine if Chris Hemsworth and Henry Cavill had a child? That still wouldn’t cover how sexy Reed Burke is.” I laugh at the visual Ava just painted; she’s not wrong.
“In all seriousness, though, I need your opinions on something.” All heads turn to me.
“Does this involve Reed?” Harper asks, her eyes lighting up. I nod my head and unload the last two days onto them.
“Why wouldn’t he want you?” Mia asks once I’ve finished telling them what’s been happening at work. About the little touches, the looks — all of it.
“I’m his friend’s daughter and twenty-two-years younger than him. Hell, the age gap is bigger than I am old.” I throw my hands up in the air. “He’s known my Dad since I was three-years-old. How could he find me attractive?” I whine.
Saying it out loud makes it seem even more impossible. I must be imagining things. I’m manifesting what I want to see.
“Look, I don’t know Reed, or the relationship you two have—” Mia starts to say.
“They don’t,” Harper interrupts. “Reed might have known her since she was three, but he’s not been involved in her life. It’s not like he was changing her diapers or anything. He’s just been there, this presence in the background of her life.”
“Right,” Mia continues. “Well, in that case. You’re not a little girl, Bella. You’re an incredibly beautiful woman and I think Reed has realized that. You said you hadn’t seen him in over three years?” I nod. “Then he’s seeing you in a new light. It’s probably like he’s seeing you for the first time, and I’d honestly think there was something wrong with him if he didn’t want you. Hell, Bella, I’d do you and I don’t swing that way.”
I laugh at her comment. Could she be right? Am I not making it all up in my head?
