Forbidden: Daddy's Best Friend

Three.

Olivia Westview



As the meal progressed, my awkwardness didn’t go unnoticed. My mom kept shooting me concerned glances, and even my dad looked puzzled by my unusual silence. James, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at ease, talking animatedly with my parents.

I picked at my food, barely tasting it. Every time James spoke, I felt a pang of anxiety, my body reacting to his voice with shame and a strange, unwelcome thrill. The events of last night replayed in my mind, and the vivid memories made it impossible to act normal.

"Liv, you're really quiet today," my mom said gently, her eyes searching mine. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, Mom," I said quickly, forcing another smile. "Just not feeling very chatty, I guess."

She nodded, though she didn’t seem convinced. My dad had already turned his attention back to James, who was recounting some story from their college days, the two of them laughing heartily. I tried to tune them out, focusing on my breathing, trying to steady my racing heart.

Please let this lunch be over soon, I prayed silently, clutching my glass so tightly I thought it would break.

“So, James,” my Dad said, leaning back in his chair. “How’s the business going? What brings you back to town?”

James set his glass down and smiled. “The business is doing well. I’ve decided to expand and bring some of the operations back here. It’s good to be home.”

Despite everything, my eyes were drawn to James. He was so handsome, effortlessly so. He had this clean, dapper look as though he owned all the money in the world. Though clad in a long-sleeved shirt, I could tell there were hard muscles underneath all the fabric. I watched, against my volition, how his lips touched the glass when he drank, how his throat moved when he swallowed. More memories of last night flooded back—kissing him, feeling his heat despite my drunkenness.

Fvck, fvck, fvck! If I had known my dad knew this guy, I would have swiped left on the dating app. Stupid Olivia!

Dad nodded approvingly. “That’s great to hear. So, are you back for good?”

“Hopefully,” James replied. “I’m looking to settle things here, make it a permanent move.”

“That’s excellent news,” my dad said, beaming. “I assume you’ll need staff for your business, right?”

I was still adrift in my thoughts when I heard my dad’s next words, and my heart skipped a beat. “My Liv here would be a perfect fit.”

“What?” I blurted out, my eyes wide. “You know I can’t, Dad! I have art school!”

“You can do that on the weekends, honey, can’t you?” My dad’s tone brooked no argument. He was giving me his death stare, and I knew that if I didn’t follow his lead, he’d never let it go.

"I am not sure about that, Cornell."

“Come on, what are friends for?” my dad said, slapping James on the back. “I take it you’ll hire my daughter in your company?”

James hesitated, his confident demeanor wavering for just a moment. His eyes flicked from me to my dad and back again, a glimmer of uncertainty in his gaze. I could almost see the gears turning in his mind, weighing the consequences of this unexpected situation. When his eyes met mine, they held a mixture of curiosity and something deeper, something that made my pulse quicken.

His lips curled into a slow, disarming smile, one that sent a shiver down my spine. The smile reached his eyes, making them crinkle at the corners, and for a moment, the world seemed to narrow down to just the two of us. He exhaled softly, as if coming to a decision, and finally nodded, the movement almost imperceptible but unmistakable.

"Of course," he said, his voice smooth and warm, like honey. "Anything for my best friend."

The sincerity in his tone was clear, yet there was an undercurrent of something more, something that hinted at the night we shared. His gaze lingered on mine for a beat longer before he turned back to my dad, the smile never leaving his face.

Fvcking hell!

I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. James then turned to me, his smile widening. “So, when can you start, Liv?”

My mind was a whirlwind of confusion and panic. “I… I guess I can start next week?” I said uncertainly.

"What are you talking about, Olivia? You have nothing to do at home," Dad interjected, turning his attention back to James. "She can start as soon as you need her. Probably tomorrow."

"Dad!"

My father stared at me with a look that said, 'Drop it,' so, I dropped it. "Fine. Y-yes. Mr. Sinclair."

“That’s settled then,” James said, looking pleased. “You’ll start tomorrow.”

Ugh. Great! Now, I had to work for James. The man who fvcked me senseless in some lame-ass bar downtown.

I stared at him, braving the awkwardness, trying to unravel what mysteries were hiding inside his deep blue eyes. What is he thinking of me? That I am some easy wench? Ughh.

Do you like that, baby girl? You are so tight. I remembered him saying.

How was I supposed to work for him after everything that happened? A million things could go wrong. I hadn't even started working for him yet, and I'd already screwed my boss. Sharkeisha would lose her mind when if I told her about this.

Oh fvck, I am so screwed.

As we finished our meal, my dad stood up, signaling the end of lunch. “Well, this was a great meal,” he said, clapping James on the shoulder. “We should do this more often.”

James stood as well, giving me a final, lingering look. “Absolutely,” he agreed. “It was great to see you all.”

My mom hugged him, and my dad shook his hand firmly. “We’ll see you soon, James,” my dad said warmly.

I stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to say or do. James gave me a small nod and a smile that made my heart race. “See you tomorrow, Liv,” he said softly.