CHAPTER EIGHT

NATALIE

"I can go up to the guest room by myself. You're big and loud. Kiss me here and then I'll see you in the morning." I know that if Luke goes up the stairs with me, he won't come back down.

"I'm only doing this for one week and then you are mine forever," he says with such fervor.

"Yes, sir." I give him a quick salute and then head up the stairs.

I open the door to my guestroom and yelp when I find my dad sitting on the bed.

"Dad?"

"Natalie, I'm trying to stay calm. Can you please tell me where you've been?" I start to answer, but he stops me. "And it better not fucking be in my best friend's bed."

Tears gather in my eyes. He looks so angry and I don't know what to say. So I don't say anything.

Dad opens the door for Luke and then comes back to sit on the bed. I slowly sit down beside him but on the very edge of the bed.

Luke comes bounding into the room, dressed only in his boxer shorts, and immediately comes to me. "Are you okay?"

I nod but don't say anything.

"Cameron, I think you and I need to step out and talk. This is something we should discuss and not hurt Natalie."

"I think this involves her, don't you?"

"Of course, but we both love her and don't want her hurt. This is really between you and me." Luke says, causing my dad to flinch.

"Love?"

"Of course. I wouldn't do anything with your daughter unless it was love. I'm not some asshole. I'm in love with your daughter."

Dad sits back down on the bed and looks at me. "Do you love him?"

I nod again and then find my voice. "Dad, I'm sorry I didn't tell you and tried to hide something from you. This was my idea and not Luke's. He wanted to tell you about us. I'm madly in love with him. He makes me so happy. I know what you talk about now when you say how you felt when you were with Mom."

"Oh, Nat." Dad holds his arms out to me and I fall into them. He hugs me tight and whispers in my ear. "I'm so happy you know what this love is. I love you."

"I love you too, Dad."

"Luke," my dad says, "I'm not sure how I feel about you and my little girl, but I know you're a good man."

Luke nods and an understanding passes between the two men. None of this happened the way I thought that it would and I'm so grateful that we seem to have gotten through it without anyone hitting someone or my father disowning me.

I stand and walk to Luke, wrapping my arms around his waist. "I told you it would all be okay," he says.

"I love you," I tell him, smiling up at his handsome face.

"I love you too, sweet girl, forever."