Chapter 6

Chapter Six

“So,if I’m hearing you correctly, the only reason you aren’t jumping on that handsome Daddy — literally — is because he’s Alyssa’s father? I don’t understand,” Layla huffed.

“That’s exactly the problem, Lay. He is Alyssa’s dad. There’s no way I could ever do that.” Laying back against my pillows, I pulled a few of my stuffed animals closer, needing comfort, even if it wasn’t from the source I wanted it to be from.

“I don’t see that as a problem, dear.”

“Well, it’s a big problem. How can I have her dad be my Daddy? It would ruin our friendship!”

“What friendship? You two have barely spoken over the past few years. You are both going on thirty years old and neither of you are children. Well — you know what I mean. As far as I see it, you and Adam are consenting adults, and if Alyssa has a problem with it, that’s for Adam to figure out with his daughter. Not for you to worry about as her friend. I see only one issue.”

“And that is?” I pouted.

“The fact that you won’t get over yourself long enough to be honest with the man. I mean, you said he’s incredible, right?”

“Ugh, he is. And that only makes it worse.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s perfect!” I groaned, flopping over on my side and tucking my knees up into my chest. “He’s so big and strong. He’s kind and caring. And protective. Layla — he’s so protective and fierce with everyone else. But then when he talks to me? He’s like the biggest, fluffiest teddy bear you could ever want. And handsome. Did I mention how handsome he is? Tall, with big muscles and arms that wrap around me perfectly. He smells like a man. A big strong man. And that smile of his! He just—”

“Girl, you have gone and found yourself twitterpated, haven’t you?” Her peals of laughter rang out over the phone. “Look, all I’m saying is that you should stop denying yourself what you want. You self-sabotage like no one I’ve ever met, Willow. It’s time to grow up and go ask for what you truly want.”

“Maybe you’re right, Lay…” I trailed off, letting my fingers play with the decorative print on my pillowcase as I thought over her words.

“That’s where I’m going to leave you, hun. I’ve got a date with Mommy tonight so, do me a favor? Stop denying yourself. Own up, ovary up, and go tell that man the truth. You’ll feel better once you do.” The call ended, leaving me to think about that very thing.

After waffling with my decision for another hour, I finally made up my mind. I would go tell Adam the truth. I would at least tell him who I was and explain why I could not be with him. That would clear my conscience, and at least give me some peace. Right?

Grabbing my purse and Mr. Fluffers for support, I left my apartment and drove to the house I had spent as much time at as a child as I had my own home.

The house came into view, the lit stone path up to the large home. They even had a fountain in the front yard. As a child, I had been obsessed with their home. My parents weren’t rich, but we had more than enough. But Alyssa’s house? It was just cool to be in a home that big. They even had a pool house in the back!

With the car parked, I took one last deep breath, shoving Mr. Fluffers back into my purse after a snuggle of confidence, then walked up the lit stone path to the front door. Using the brass door knocker, I waited for Adam to answer.

Oh, no. What if he isn’t home? He could be at the club or out with —

The door swung open, Adam standing there in a suit, the jacket off and his sleeves rolled up his forearms, showing off some elaborate ink I had no idea he had.

“Bunny? How did you know—” he began, but lifting my fingers to his lips, I stopped him from saying another word.

“Don’t. Let me say this before I lose my nerve.” I took a deep breath. “Adam, I appreciate you asking me if I was looking for a Daddy. The truth is, I am. I want a Daddy for myself more than I want — oh gosh — almost anything else. But it won’t work between us, and I’m here to tell you why.” I watched as he looked down at me, puzzled, his strong arms crossed in front of his chest. In that moment, I could feel exactly what being scolded by him would be like. I wanted it. But I couldn’t. So I continued.

“My name is not Bunny. Ugh, of course my name isn’t Bunny. What I mean to say is—” I stopped, taking yet another deep breath. Nerves and anxious energy held my tummy in a vise grip. “My real name is Willow. Willow Ashford. I was Alyssa’s best friend in high school.”

For a moment, we both stood there in complete silence. His eyes widened in surprise, but otherwise he looked just as he had moments before.

“And that’s why I can’t let you be a Daddy to me. Because there’s no way you’ll look at me the same after this. The fact that you even know now is humiliating. I just thought I should be an adult and come tell you the truth. So, there it is. That’s why this will never work.You’ve been so kind to me, both when I was growing up and at the club… Well, I just thought it was the right thing to be honest with you. To tell you the truth.”

Again, I was met with silence. His eyes narrowed as he looked at me. Granted, I felt no judgment from him, just confusion, or something like it; almost as though he were trying to solve a puzzle.

“So, I guess that does it. Thank you for being kind to me at Club Obsidian. But I’m sure that you won’t want to talk to me again after… all this…” I muttered, gesturing between us. “You don’t have to worry. I won’t say a word to Alyssa, and your personal life will remain yours to share. I would never cross a boundary like that. But I needed to at least be honest with you. So… goodnight, Adam. Er — Mr. Stone, and goodbye.”

Nibbling anxiously on my lower lip, I turned on my heel and walked back down the path towards my car. Every step took me further from him. I fought the urge to turn around and run back to him and take it all back. But this was for the best. I knew it. He knew it.

“So that’s it, then?” his voice called out, stopping me in my tracks. Slowly, I turned back towards him.

“Excuse me?” I asked, confused.

“You’re not only going to drop that bombshell on me, but you’re going to decide how I feel for me as well?”

I couldn’t tell if he was angry, or just asking the question.

“No, I wasn’t trying to decide for you, but—” I tried to explain, but he cut me off.

“Then, how about you come inside and hear what I actually think, Willow?”

I was dumbfounded.

“Mr. Stone, I—”

“Do you want to walk away from this forever, or do you want to talk to me and hear what I have to say?” He lifted one eyebrow, leveling me with a single look that had butterflies fluttering in my tummy and my core aching with want for the man.

Without a word — though, perhaps with a slight eye roll — I made my way back up the sidewalk to the door.

“That’s more like it,” he chuckled as he ushered me inside, but not before whispering, “And don’t think I missed that eye roll.”

Oh, hell.