Single Dad's Christmas Present: A Dad's Best Friend Romance

by Amy Brent

  “Well, screw her, you are family. You can be there anytime you want. I’m sure Daddy didn’t mind.” She snickered. “She might have thought you were there to see him. Like one of his other girlfriends. I bet that pissed her off good and proper. Could you imagine?”

  “It’s not so absurd. You’re seeing an older man.”

  “Yeah, but it’s Daddy, so. That makes it kind of ew, don’t you think?” As his daughter, I could understand, but I also couldn’t help be a little insulted.

  “No, your dad is a handsome man, and I don’t think I’m trash, so why is that ew?” I knew my tone was harsh and she sighed.

  “I guess you’re right. I didn’t mean to insult you.” Her tone had softened, and suddenly there was an awkward pause between us. “Yeah, I worry about Daddy. He..”

  “I’m sorry, Lila. I guess I’m just still a bit embarrassed that I was there when no one was home. I should have known it might invade your dad’s space.”

  “He wasn’t supposed to be there until late, so it’s all good. No worries.” Knowing he wasn’t supposed to be home until later only solidified one thing and that was that Whitt had all intentions of fucking Ashley.

  I couldn’t deal with the thought of it. If he wanted things to be over, I wouldn’t fight it, but I wasn’t going to sit around moping either. Maybe it was time to move on.

  Chapter 19

  Whitt

  The past week had been uneventful with Gemma being standoffish. I knew it was for the best, but I missed her. Ashley and I had cooled down before we ever heated up and she still wasn’t buying my story about Gemma.

  I’d told her that she was nothing more than like family, but even I hadn’t believed me. It was a good try, but I was failing miserably at moving on.

  I showed up at my office late, which had become a habit, but so had to leave early. I found Dax standing behind Gemma’s desk, and the two were all smiles for each other as they hugged.

  It was as if someone threw cold water on my face and when Gemma looked up, she got a similar look, which she quickly replaced with contempt.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt,” I said walking in and trying to beeline for my office.

  “Not so fast, friend. I’ve got something for you.” Dax reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope and handed it to me. “You remember he charity gala my family is hosting?”

  I took the card and opened it, noticing that Gemma didn’t have one. I thought for a split-second that I might ask her to be my date.

  “I just asked Gemma to go with me, so you can bet I’ll have the prettiest date there.” My good friend put his arm around Gemma, and she got a bashful grin and tucked her chin.

  She lifted a shoulder and glanced up. “I’ve never been to a gala before. It sounds like fun.”

  “I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time; both of you.” I gave her a pointed stare. “And I’m sure I’ll have a hard time finding a date any prettier.”

  “Ashley’s a beautiful woman,” said Gemma. She hadn’t heard about the two of us, and how Ashley had all but ran from me screaming with her suspicions. I’d be hard-pressed to get her to go to tomorrow with me.

  Dax winced. “Oh, you didn’t hear. They aren’t together.” He mumbled the words as if I couldn’t hear.

  “I’m sure I’ll find someone. I’ll just break out the old Rolodex.” I chuckled.

  Gemma turned her head. “The what?”

  Dax laughed, and Gemma cut him a glare. “You’re the sweetest thing.” He pulled her close and kissed her cheek and my blood boiled in my veins.

  “So, I’ve never heard of roller deck.” I would have laughed if it weren’t proof of how young she truly was and how innocent she had been when I’d corrupted her. I thought about waiting until Dax left and pulled her into my office and showing her a lesson like before, but I couldn’t do that. I had ruined any and all hold I had on her the minute I’d decided to end it.

  “You know, I think I’ll bring Lila. She loved parties, and I’m not really into seeing anyone these days.”

  “That’ll be fun. Lila loves any excuse to buy a new dress. Maybe she’ll help me. I want to look my best for my handsome date.” She placed her hand on Dax’s face, and he turned a soft pink around his neck and face.

  “I better get out of her before my ego gets any bigger.” Dax kissed her cheek and slapped my hand on his way to the door.

  Once he was gone, Gemma sat in her chair, and I ducked into my office, leaving the door open.

  I dialed Lila and hoped she’d say yes. I thought it might also be a nice time to talk about her new man and really see if I could accept him.

  She answered the phone with a dull tone, and I longed for the days when she was happy to hear my voice. “Hey, Daddy.”

  “That bad, huh? You usually are more excited to hear from me.” I glanced up to see Gemma dusting her office. She had a few plants of her own that were left by the last secretary, and I wondered if she was trying to listen in.

  “It’s not terrible, Daddy. It’s good to hear your voice, but I’m not coming home until Tuesday.”

  “It’s fine; I’ve actually called to invite you out with the old man. I got an invite from Dax Fisher, and his family is throwing that big gala. I’d like for you to be my date. Gemma is going with Dax actually, so she’ll be there.”

  “Gemma and Dax? Oh my, when did that happen? You’re not okay with that, are you?” She was taken aback, and I hadn’t realized that Gemma didn’t tell her all about Dax. I couldn’t say a lot with Gemma coming in to water my plants and tidy up my office.

  “Why wouldn’t I be okay with it?” My tone was a tad more defensive than I wanted it to be.

  “Because, Daddy. She’s a young woman as young as me, and well, Dax is an older man, not to mention, that she’s your secretary and he’s your best friend. He better be behaving himself.”

  “I’m sure he is. I’ll break his neck if he’s not.” I glanced to Gemma who gave me a narrowed glare over her shoulder, and I could tell it was bothering her not knowing what we were discussing. “So, will you go with me or not?”

  “Yes, Daddy. I’d love to. I know we haven’t spent enough time together lately and I don’t like how strained things have been. I’d like to sit down sometime with Daniel and have a nice long talk.” I wanted to say no way, but I knew I was going to have to learn to accept him. He wasn’t going anywhere.

  “That’s wonderful, honey. Gemma said you might go dress shopping together. I’ll be sure to give you my card, and you can buy you, ladies, whatever you need.” Gemma’s head whipped around, and she put her hands on her hips.

  “Thanks, Daddy! That will be so much fun, and I know Gemma will appreciate it.”

  Gemma stopped in front of me and crossed her arms as her foot tapped. “I’m sure she will. I love you, honey. Talk soon.”

  “I love you, Daddy.” It was good to hear her say those words, and I let them sink in a moment before looking at Gemma and setting down the phone.

  “I can buy my own dress, thanks.” She turned and headed back across the room to my dying fern.

  “Why not let me. I want to treat you girls. Besides, I owe you for the tie.” I thought bringing up the tie would make her smile, but she spun on me with a fierce glare.

  “You don’t owe me anything, and I don’t want anything other than a paycheck from you.” She turned up her nose and went back to tidying cutting me looks over her shoulder.

  I gave her a sideward glance. “Consider it a bonus. Please, Gemma. I want to do it.”

  She belted a laugh. “A bonus? Please. Call it what it is, Whitt; a peace offering and I don’t need it.” She waved her hand at me dismissively.

  “Well, you’re going to take it. I’ll make sure Lila insists.” I leaned back and put my hands up over my head.

  She groaned. “Why Lila? Why not take someone else? If you’re trying to spare my feelings, don’t bother with that either.” Her smart mouth had me aching to put something in it. I had
gotten used to disciplining her.

  “I’m not seeing anyone, and I thought it might be nice for you and Lila to catch up. Your friendship is important, and maybe I need to remind myself of that.” I shrugged and turned, but she leaned into her desk.

  “Why do you need reminding? Things are over between us, right? We can pretend it never happened.” She folded her arms and then turned, heading for her desk.

  I got up to follow. “I agree. It was a mistake. One we shouldn’t have made. It would have never worked. Besides Lila what do we have in common? Nothing.” She stopped and slumped as if my words had knocked all the wind out of her.

  “Oh, I don’t agree with that. We have more than you think. But, I’m not shocked that you don’t remember though.” She opened her desk drawer and pulled out her tablet.

  “What does that mean?” I was insulted by her insinuation.

  “You really don’t remember? I used to show you my artwork and designs every time I saw you.” She shook her head.

  “I remember that. You used to—” Suddenly it came back to me. She’d done several designs of resorts, and they were really good too, especially for a girl her age at the time. “The designs. I remember.”

  “You were the one who encouraged me, Whitt. You said that I had something special and that I should attend college and get my degree so I could design for you someday. I worked my ass off for the degree and for that dream. Every dream I had was about you.”

  I suddenly felt very small.

  I remembered the conversation clearly. I’d walked into the kitchen where she and Lila were drawing. Lila had drawn a floor plan for a dress boutique. Her sketch had been very primitive, and I’d had to ask her to explain it. But then Gemma, the dainty, awkward-teen version, had turned her picture around and amazed me.

  “Isn’t Gemma talented, Daddy!” Lila had given her such praise, and Gemma’s face had lit up with love and pride.

  “Yes, indeed. That’s a great design, kiddo. One day you should come and work for me. I’ll take you places.” She had smiled so big.

  “I’d love that. Can I really?” That was her defining moment, and I hadn’t even realized how important it was.

  “You can do anything you set your mind to.” The words had been cliché, but I’d been sincere. It was hard to believe she remembered.

  “You were the first person to tell me I could do anything, so I wanted to become a designer ever since. You’re the reason I went to art school and the reason I wanted to get my foot in the door of your company, not that it matters.” She lifted her shoulder and reached for the keyboard of her computer.

  “I still mean it, you know. You could have a place here.” Sooner than she expected since Ashley was on the verge of bailing. That would be poetic. Gemma is taking Ashely’s spot. It wasn’t a bad idea. “You’re talented, Gemma.”

  She curled her lip. “Right, I think you told me that, the last time you had me bent over your desk. I’ll try to remember.”

  She was bitter, and I could understand her feeling that way. But it wasn’t fair. If things were different, I’d be with her. But I had to put my daughter’s feelings first. “You know what I do remember, Gemma?”

  She shook her head and shrugged. “Finding me in your room?”

  “No, I remember a beautiful, young woman who made my daughter happy. Did you know she wanted me to adopt you? She told me all about your family situation, how you had to live with your grandmother after your parents passed away. She wanted better for you, as I do now. I don’t want to take that smile away from my daughter.”

  “Yeah, I get it. It’s over. I should have known it wouldn’t last.” She gave me a dismissive look that let me know she was done and then she glanced down at her tablet and acted as though I wasn’t there.

  It wasn’t easy for me, and that was all I needed her to understand, but how could I tell her. She was hurting, and she was not going to understand. It wasn’t easy to let her go. Especially knowing she was getting so close to my best friend.

  “Have fun with your date.”

  Chapter 20

  Gemma

  The past three weeks had been heart-wrenching, and the only thing to distract me from my misery was the gala which was finally a day away.

  Lila and I had spent an entire Saturday combing through stores to find the perfect formals, and though I didn’t want him to, Whitt bought my dress. It had been hard to think up a good reason to tell Lila I didn’t want him to buy it without being suspicious, and the boss excuse didn't hold.

  “He’s your boss,” she had said. “He’s giving you a bonus. No biggie.” It was Lila’s logical thinking, but inside I was screaming.

  The dress hung on the back of my closet door, and I hadn’t stopped looking at it and wondering what would happen at the gala. Would Whitt want to talk to me? Or would he focus on Lila and their first daddy/daughter night in over a year?

  Then there was Dax, just thinking about him and the possibility that he might try something with me had my stomach in knots. We’d only had a few lunch dates, and I’d managed to make an excuse for everything but the gala, which I’d only accepted because I’d wanted to make Whitt jealous after the whole Ashley ordeal.

  My drive into work was brutal, and even though it was Friday, it may as well have been a Monday for the energy I had. My stomach had been queasy the day before, and now it was distended and tight, especially in my lower abdomen. To make matters worse, my nipples felt like someone had taken sandpaper to them and even my bra was torture, so I had decided to leave it at home.

  I didn’t know what was wrong, but I was considering a good cleanse if it didn’t line out.

  When I got to my office, the scent from the commercial air freshener stung my nose in a way it never had, and I dropped everything on my desk, covered my mouth, and ran to Whitt’s bathroom where he found me dry heaving upon his arrival.

  “Are you okay, Gemma?” He pushed the door all the way open and leaned against it.

  “Get out! I’m just a little queasy is all. My dinner last night, I guess.” I waved my hand, but he wasn’t budging. I didn’t want him to see me that way; sprawled on the floor hugging the toilet.

  “Can I get you anything?” The last thing I wanted was his half-hearted attempt to baby me.

  “No, I’m fine.” I stood up and stumbled as the room spun.

  “Whoa, I got you.” Whitt’s arms were welcome around me, and the warmth of his embrace made me want to cry. “Come in here and sit down.”

  “I’ll just go to my desk. I hope I’m not coming down with something. Katie down the hall had a terrible stomach flu.” He walked me to my desk and passed me the water bottle from beside my bag.

  “The gala is tomorrow; perhaps you should go home and get some rest, so you’ll be able to make it. I’d hate to think that pretty dress would go to waste or that handsome date.” His tone was dulled with disdain.

  “Are you jealous?” I met his eyes with a challenging stare.

  “It wouldn’t matter if I was.”

  “That’s not true. Things don’t have to be this way.” My brows rose as my expression softened.

  He raked his hand through his hair and looked away. “Do you want to drive or should I arrange for a ride?” That was his way of ignoring the subject.

  “I’ll manage.” I wrapped my arms around myself.

  “Gemma. I don’t want things to be like they have been the past few weeks. I’d like us to be friends.” Friends, not lovers, not in a relationship.

  A lump formed in my throat. “I wish I was your date.” He turned his head and looked away as I stood and stepped closer. “Will you save a dance for me?”

  “Of course, Gemma.” I kissed his cheek as he let out a long breath and then I gathered my things and headed home.

  I started feeling better the later it got, and I was glad that whatever it was had passed. Lila called to check on me at lunch, and I talked to her instead of eating because I still didn’t have an appetite.


  “Daddy said I should check on you and that you left work sick. You’re not going to miss the gala, are you?

  “No, I’m feeling much better. Still not good enough to chance eating, but maybe in a couple of hours. I thought it was the stomach flu going around the office, but I feel pretty normal now. It just hit me this morning, and then I walked into the office, and the smell pushed me over the edge.”

  “If I knew you were seeing someone on a serious level, I’d swear you were pregnant.”

  “Why would you think that? What do you know about pregnancy?” I wondered if Lila had another scare and held my breath as she explained.

  “Remember Jodi Holloway? She said she couldn’t stand the smell of certain things when she was pregnant.” She paused a minute. “You’re not sleeping with Dax, are you?” Her tone was full of shock and awe, and I found it a bit hypocritical. My face flushed as I thought about being pregnant and I recalled missing a pill shortly before Whitt, and I had been together the first time. I hadn’t thought much of it because I’d gotten on track again, but suddenly panic shot through me like a thunderbolt, and I placed my hand on my tummy.

  I had to respond, but my brain was so scrambled all I could do was lash out. “No! But if I were, he’s not much older than Daniel.” My tone was much harder than usual, and I felt bad for snapping at Lila.