4. Henry

Chapter 4

Henry

" I 'm sorry. last night was a mistake." The words taste bitter on my tongue, but it's best to make a clean break from Anna Marie. She's so young and full of life. She has her whole life in front of her, and I refuse to chain her to an old guy like me who's set in his ways.

The look of shock on her face pulls at my heart. I would give anything to keep this woman, but I've already taken too much. I should have stopped before I took her virginity. I'll always cherish the memory of being her first.

Leaving her to wake up in bed alone this morning was a dick move, but I couldn't risk making love to her again this morning and forgetting my noble sacrifice. So instead, like the coward I am, I waited until she was dressed and came in search of me in my hotel room suite when I blurted that lie out.

I hand her a cup of coffee as a peace offering, but she shakes her head. I set both cups on the table before continuing, "I hope you forgive me. I never meant to hurt you."

Her lower lip trembles, but instead of breaking out in tears, she lifts her chin and says, "I had a lot of fun last night.

"Me too." I can't lie to her about last night, so I do the next worst thing I could ever do. "Don't worry about getting pregnant. I know you were going to go to the pharmacy and pick up the morning-after pill; there's no need to worry. I had a vasectomy when Jolie's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I didn't want to risk getting the woman that I loved pregnant."

I know I've lost her for good with the way all the color drained from her face at my cruel words.

"Thank you for letting me know so I don't have to make an extra stop on my way home." Her voice is barely above a whisper—my fiery woman from last night has been reduced to a shell of herself, and I hated myself for it.

I want to pull her in my arms and tell her I think I'm falling in love with her, but I can't. Even if she felt the same way I do, our age difference and the fact that she's my daughter's best friend is too much of an obstacle to overcome.

"I had the concierge call a car for you to take you home. The driver is waiting for you in the lobby." I stride across the room and open the door, needing this agony to end.

Anna Marie follows me to the door. I take a step back to let her pass, making sure I'm far enough back so her luscious body doesn't rub against mine as she leaves the room.

She is almost all the way through the door when she stops and places her hand on top of my hand, which is holding open the door. "I'm glad you were my first. I wish you were my only." Her hand trails over mine before she closes the door with a soft click, her words echoing in my head.

Damn, I knew letting her go was going to be hard, but the reminder that someone else is going to be her forever makes me want to punch someone or something.

My phone rings saving the hotel room wall from having a hole punched into it, "What?" I snap into the phone.

"Woof, dad. I always knew you weren't a morning person, but this is a new level of grumpy."

Ignoring Jolie's attempt at comedy, I coax her to continue talking. "Did you need something?" I growl, my voice sounding harsh to my ears.

"Definitely not a morning person."

"Jolie, I'm not in the mood this morning. Can you get to the point?" My patience is wearing thin, and I'm two seconds away from hanging up on my only child.

"Chill out. I wanted to let you know that I've made other plans for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. But you and Anna Marie can still do something together."

I wonder if Jolie's sudden change of plans has anything to do with those three guys who bid on her at the Elf Auction. As her father, I should be angry that she has changed her plans for some guys, but I know my daughter, and she wouldn't do something like that unless she had a good reason.

"Okay, sweetheart, but I think I'll just go back home. I'm sure Anna Marie has something better to do than hang out with an old guy like me on Christmas." I don't add that I blew any chance with her when I basically kicked her out of my hotel room this morning after the best night of my life.

It wasn't even the sex. It was her quick wit and intelligence that drew me in. That and the cute little game she wanted to play until we both fell asleep—with her snuggled deep in my arms.

"At least call Anna Marie and ask her. I'll text you her number. And for what it's worth, Dad, I know you loved mom, but she's gone, and I want you to be happy."

"Thanks, Jolie. Stay safe." I pause. I should say more to my daughter about her possible relationship choices, but who am I to lecture anyone? I was given a second chance at love, and I let it slip between my fingers and out of my life. "I love you, Jolie, Merry Christmas."

"I love you too, Dad. Merry Christmas."

The call ends, and I look down at my screen to find Jolie's text with Anna Marie's contact information staring back at me. Before I can change my mind, I delete the temptation, knowing Anna Marie will thank me one day for letting her live her life as a carefree young woman.