Daddy's Little Slut

Hidden truth

Mia was in the kitchen, helping her father Devin prepare dinner for their guest. The smell of sautéed vegetables filled the room, mingling with the sound of sizzling meat on the stove. Mia glanced at the clock, her brow furrowed.

"What time did your friend say she was coming?" Devin asked as he stirred a pot.

"She should be here by now," Mia replied, a touch of concern in her voice. "Unless she chickened out."

Devin looked at his daughter curiously. "Why would she chicken out?"

Mia sighed, wiping her hands on a towel. "Dad, Iris is... complicated. She has this history, and she doesn’t let anyone in."

"That’s why she needs you," Devin said, his tone reassuring. He turned off the stove and wiped his hands.

"I know," Mia said, her voice softening. "I’m trying to get her to open up, but it’s not easy."

Devin smiled at her, pride shining in his eyes. "I know you won’t give up on her."

Before Mia could respond, the doorbell rang, cutting through their conversation. "I’ll get it," she said, moving toward the hallway.

"No, you finish what you’re doing," Devin insisted, already heading for the door. "I’ll get it."

Devin reached the door, still drying his hands. As he opened it, his eyes widened in shock. Standing on the porch was a woman he hadn’t expected to see.

"Stella?" he gasped.

The woman’s eyes flickered with recognition, but before she could speak, Devin quickly stepped outside, pulling the door shut behind him. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice a mixture of surprise and confusion.

"Hi," she said, her tone hesitant. "I’m supposed to be meeting a friend’s father for dinner."

Devin’s face paled. "Wait... Mia? You’re Iris?"

Her eyes widened in realization as they both spoke at the same time.

"You’re Mia’s father?" she whispered, and then they both cursed under their breath. "Shit."

Mia’s footsteps could be heard approaching the door. Panic flashed across both their faces.

"I can leave if this is too weird for you," Iris offered, her voice low and uncertain.

Devin shook his head. "No, stay. You’re doing this for Mia."

The door swung open, and Mia smiled, oblivious to the tension on the porch. "Look who had trouble coming in," Devin said, his tone forced but pleasant.

"I’m sorry," Iris stammered, turning toward Mia. "I didn’t expect... to be greeted by your father."

Mia, none the wiser, smiled warmly. "Your home is lovely," Iris continued, shifting her attention to Mia. "May I come in?"

"Of course," Mia said, stepping aside. "This is my father, Devin. Dad, meet Iris."

"It’s nice to meet you, Iris," Devin said, his voice thick with a strange tension as her name rolled off his tongue. He wished he had told her his real name that night. The casual use of "Mr. Brooks" now felt like a wall between them.

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Brooks," Iris replied, though her throat tightened. The last thing she expected was to face him here, like this. Her stomach twisted in knots.

Devin winced at being called Mr. Brooks, feeling much older than he liked. He opened his mouth to say something more, but Mia was already leading Iris inside.

"You would like my dad," Mia said, glancing back at her friend. "He’s the best."

Iris forced a smile, though her insides were churning with awkwardness. "Yes, he is," she said. The smell of dinner greeted her as she entered the house. "This smells amazing."

"Mia’s dad made everything," Mia said proudly, heading toward the dining room.

"Is your mom joining us?" Iris asked, trying to keep her voice light, though the tension was gnawing at her.

Mia’s smile faltered just a bit. "No, it’s just me and Dad."

"Oh," Iris said softly. "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude."

"No, it’s okay," Mia reassured her quickly. "What about you?"

"My parents died when I was little," Iris replied matter-of-factly. It was a rehearsed answer by now.

"I’m so sorry," Mia said, her voice full of sympathy.

"It’s fine," Iris said, shrugging it off. "It was a long time ago."

"Well, you’re welcome here anytime," Mia said, her voice full of sincerity.

"I wouldn’t want to impose."

"Mia’s right," Devin chimed in, causing both women to jump slightly as he reappeared. "You’re welcome here."

"Thank you," Iris said quietly, her heart pounding. Mia carried the salad bowl to the dining table, leaving Devin and Iris standing awkwardly together.

"We’re not done talking," Devin muttered under his breath.

"There’s nothing to talk about," Iris whispered harshly. "It happened. We’ve both moved on."

"Have we?" Devin asked, his voice low. "Because I still don’t know what happened that night. I slept with a teenager."

"I’m an adult," Iris hissed back, her eyes narrowing.

"Mia’s 20," Devin countered, his voice rising slightly.

"I’m 23," Iris replied sharply. "That doesn’t make me feel any better," Devin said, his voice laced with frustration.

"I’m sorry about what happened," Iris said, her tone softening slightly. "But if you want me to stop being friends with Mia, I’ll do that."

Devin sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "I just want to know what happened."

"Fine," Iris relented. "After dinner."

"Good enough for me."

They both moved to the table, trying to act as if nothing had happened. Mia looked up from her plate, eyeing them curiously.

"Finally," she said with a teasing smile. "I was wondering what was taking you two so long."

Iris laughed nervously. "Your dad was just showing me the house."

Devin cleared his throat. "Let’s say grace," he said, and they all held hands around the table. As Devin’s hand touched Iris’s, a shiver ran through her, though she tried to hide it.

"We thank you for this meal and the chance to welcome Iris into our little family," Devin said, his voice steady.

"Amen," Mia said cheerfully.

"Amen," Iris echoed, her voice quieter.

The tension lingered as Mia served the food. Iris took a bite and smiled. "This is really good."

"Dad’s always been a great cook," Mia said proudly.

"Is that right, Daddy?" Iris said, her eyes flicking toward Devin, her tone playful.

Devin’s fork clattered to his plate, his expression hardening as he glanced at her. Mia looked at him, confused.

"Something wrong, Dad?"

Devin shook his head. "No, just thinking."

Mia looked between them, then back at Iris. "It’s probably about this girl he can’t stop thinking about," she said with a laugh. "Way before I came to live with him."

Iris’s stomach clenched with jealousy, though she would never admit it.

"Oh?" Iris said casually. "You weren’t living with him?"

"No," Mia replied. "I moved here when I got into college."

"Well, you’ve done a good job, Mr. Brooks," Iris said, her voice tight as she tried to push past the discomfort.

Devin gave a small smile. "I try my best," he said. "But I still know nothing about raising a teenager."

"We’re doing fine," Mia said with a grin. "We’re like a team."

"Yes," Devin echoed. "A team."

Iris’s heart twisted. She’d never known what it was like to be part of a team, let alone a family. She’d spent her life bouncing from one foster home to another.

"Excuse me," Mia said suddenly. "I need to use the bathroom."

As soon as Mia left the room, Iris turned back to Devin. "You still think about me?" she asked quietly.

Devin’s eyes flickered. "You’re not the only girl I’ve slept with."

"But I’m the only one you can’t stop thinking about," Iris challenged, her voice low and dangerous.

Devin leaned in slightly. "What about you? You still think about me?"

"Yes," Iris admitted, her pulse quickening. "I thought about you last night."

Devin’s eyes darkened. "Oh yeah? And what were you thinking?"

"If I told you," Iris whispered, leaning in just enough to feel the heat between them, "you’d skip straight to dessert."

Before Devin could respond, Mia reentered the room, and they both quickly straightened up. Dinner resumed as if nothing had happened, but the heated look Devin gave Iris made her shiver. This wasn’t over, and the anticipation both scared and excited her.