My Father's Best Friend

by Ali Parker

  "Really?" He chuckled. "I wondered about you artist types from time to time. How much of your soul did you sell to be calm and collected in a large high-rise building?"

  "Good question." I moved back as the appetizers arrived. I shouldn't be at dinner with someone like Mitch. It was dangerous, and I wasn't willing to give up on Matt just yet, even though it seemed like he'd given up on me.

  "One you feel like answering?" He took a bite of one of the garlic shrimp and groaned. "Wow. That's insanely good."

  "I feel like part of me is missing, sure, but I get to make the money that I feel I'm worth, lead a team of creatives like myself and still design and develop art all day long. It's far better than being a starving artist." I reached for a shrimp and agreed with his assessment. My stomach rumbled as if to corroborate my thoughts.

  "That's a great way to look at it." He licked his fingers, and I glanced away. The moment was too intimate. "I've been working as a consultant since I was Damon's age."

  "How old are you now?" I picked up my glass and smiled as he gave me a cocky grin.

  "How old do you think I am?"

  "That's not fair." I leaned back in my seat and studied him.

  "No? Guess close to it and I'll tell you."

  "Thirty-eight." I took a drink and went for another shrimp.

  "You flatter me, Erica." I enjoyed the way he said my name.

  "Am I correct?"

  "You're off by ten years." He picked up his fork and picked up a piece of sushi.

  "So you're twenty-eight?" I smiled and picked up my chopsticks. "You know it's a travesty to eat sushi with a fork. You look like a Texan right now."

  "I am one." He popped the sushi in his mouth and chewed slowly, taking a drink of his wine and turning the question back on me. "And you? Are you still in your twenties?"

  "Yes, but I'm racing toward thirty quickly." I felt comfortable, good. It had to be the wine.

  "Husband? Kids?"

  "Hopefully in the future. You?" I needed something to do with my hands. We were at a business dinner and yet we'd done anything but talk about business. I should have kept Lewis or Mandy with me. Our conversation couldn't be headed anywhere healthy.

  You don't belong to Matt. He doesn't want you. You're not good enough... remember? My mother's voice echoed in my head, though she'd never said anything about Matt. It was a need to condemn myself fully. Her voice always worked well for those moments.

  "I have one daughter. I love her beyond words." He licked his lips and picked up the bottle of wine, pouring us both another glass. "My wife, Lindy, died three years ago from a brain tumor. It's been a long journey back from the gates of hell."

  "Oh, God. I'm so sorry." I reached out and cupped my hand over his. I couldn't imagine loving someone for years and then losing them. "How long were you married?"

  He gave me a boyish smile, his eyes lighting up. "Twenty-seven years. We got married right out of high school. She was my childhood love."

  I pulled my hand back as thoughts of Tanner swam through my mind. So many years together and he just up and left. Why? I'd failed to analyze any of it then. It was too hard. I was too close to the fire.

  "That's incredible. I hope I find someone that loves me the way you seemed to have loved your wife." I picked up one of the appetizer plates and divvied up the rest of the meal between us.

  "I'm shocked to see that you don't already have someone loving you like that." He smiled and nodded toward his plate. "Thank you."

  "Of course." I picked up my fork and busied myself eating.

  "So, no boyfriend either?"

  "Nope." I finished my glass of wine and tilted it toward him. "I need one more."

  He smiled and poured me a glass. "Well, I know I shouldn't, but I can't help but tell you that I'm floored by you not being with someone. You're stunning. Successful. Intelligent. Talented."

  Warmth spread up my chest and coated my cheeks and throat. "Thank you," I whispered, feeling almost overwhelmed. No more wine for me.

  "No... Thank you." He smiled. "This is nice. It's been a while since I sat down to dinner with a beautiful woman."

  "I'm glad I could break the dry spell." I laughed at myself, letting the wine settle my spirit.

  "We should keep this up." He watched me closely, but I tucked my head down and worked on my meal, feeling like Matt acted... young, immature and overwhelmed by the presence of the older man beside me.

  I needed to go home - alone. Yeah... no more wine for me.

  Chapter 25

  Matt

  Every mess up from the last two weeks rolled through my mind as if on a carousal as I sat on the plane on Wednesday morning. I'd jacked things up with Erica royally, and damn if I didn't try and call her several times after talking to Sophie on Monday only to hang up when her voicemail picked up. There was no way I was apologizing in a message on her phone. It would have been easy, but she and I both knew that was the chicken-shit way of doing things.

  Damon and I worked out our differences the day before, and I was glad to be back on even playing ground with him. It wasn't his fault that I was perpetually dicking up my life, but it sure felt good to push it off onto him.

  I groaned and pressed my palms to my eyes. Erica has to forgive me. She has to understand.

  "No... she doesn't." I ran my fingers down my face as the flight attendant at the front of the private jet gave me an odd look. "I talk to myself all the time." I smiled. "Mostly because I'm the only one that doesn't argue with me."

  "Makes sense. I think." She smiled and buckled up. "We're making our descent. We should be on the ground in twenty minutes."

  "Awesome." I closed my eyes and let the image of Erica giving me head in the car douse me in desire. It wasn't just about the act of her being so damn naughty that got me. It was the softness of her touch, the look of love in her eyes. This was far more than I was used to being involved in. It was unknown land, uncharted territory, and yet every part of her I'd seen - I adored.

  Then why run?

  I forced the question out of my mind. It was getting old. I had my reasons, and though no one on God's green earth understood them, they still stood. I'd try to explain myself to her once I got to Seattle, barring that she'd actually see me.

  There was a good chance that I was outta luck. I hoped not, but anyone with sense in their head would have kicked me to the curb years ago. There’s only so much denial and rejection someone could take.

  If Erica treated me the way I'd treated her, I'd never give her the time of day. Not to explain herself or apologize. No way.

  "Mr. Bryant?" The flight attendant touched my shoulder, and I jumped, not realizing that I'd dipped so far into my subconscious.

  "Sorry. I guess I fell asleep." I unbuckled, got up and grabbed my bag. "Did you guys call a car service for me before we left?"

  The attendant nodded. "Of course. Your car should be waiting by the tarmac. A red Audi, just like you like."

  "Perfect." I waited for the door of the plane to open and jogged down the stairs toward the car. My phone buzzed and I pulled it out to find Jonathan Lutz calling. It was as if he had a spy cam somewhere in the vicinity. "You got eyes everywhere?" I laughed and stopped by the car.

  "No, I wish. Did you just get in town?"

  "I did." I opened the door and got into the car. "I literally just walked off the plane."

  "Then my timing is excellent."

  "That it is." I buckled up and started the car, loving the purr of the engine. It reminded me of Erica, and my cock twitched, my pulse spiked. The woman was without a doubt the very core of my lust, and I was an idiot for denying her anything.

  Grow up.

  "I got the private showing set up for us. It'll be at De Luge two weeks from Friday. You'll need to be there at five at the latest."

  "Two weeks. Damn... that's so soon." I pressed the gas and adjusted my mirrors as my lust turned to worry. There was no way I would have the picture of Erica done by then. Was I really ready to show t
he world my girl? Bared and nude, open for everyone to realize what an idiot I'd been?

  "We said November. It starts Friday. I can look at moving it if-"

  "No. I'm good. I was just trying to decide if I needed to do something big, flashy, stunning for the event. I'm not sure with two weeks I really have time for what I was working up to in the back of my mind." I reached up and ran my fingers through my hair as my heart contracted in my chest. It hurt to be in Seattle and not have her beside me. It was almost a travesty that my soul woke up to lament over.

  "You're going to need something magnificent to impress these people. Where your portfolio is more than enough to catch the eye of the commoner, I went with Erica's suggestion and set the event up for ten grand as the entrance fee."

  I swallowed hard. "What? Did anyone pay that? I'm not even known."

  "Right, but your father is." Jonathan cleared his throat. "We have fifty people coming that night. Create something breathtaking. You have it in you."

  "Breathtaking." My mind immediately went back to the portrait of my girl. "Erica."

  "Yes!" Jonathan laughed. "You have been thinking about it. I had hoped I planted a seed in you that day. Put her on canvas, Matthew. She's impossibly beautiful. Show the world what you see."

  "Okay. I'll talk to her, and if she agrees to it, I'll work night and day to get it done." Exhilaration rushed through me. I could do this.

  "Good. Get it done. We'll talk soon. Let me know if you need anything at all."

  "Yeah, thanks." I dropped the call and let my thoughts move all around the edges of what success felt like. My dream was to have an art gallery of my own where people from all over the world could come and appreciate the depths of emotion I painted in my pictures. The only thing that would have made it better was to have Erica's work next to mine.

  Even if nothing worked out between us, I would force a friendship on her. She needed someone to encourage her to push toward her dreams, even part-time. She could hold down her job at my father's firm and still continue to pursue her heart. She had to. Without exploring her talent, she would grow cold, unmoved, numb.

  I put a call into Damon's secretary, Linda. She picked up on the second ring.

  "McKenzie and Bryant, Damon Bryant's office. How can I help you?" Always so damn chipper.

  "Hey, Linda. This is Matt, Damon's brother."

  "Hi, Matt. Did you make it to Seattle?"

  "Sure did. Hey, could you e-mail that list of apartments in the art district that Erica sent over to you guys a few months back? I know Damon probably kept it just in case I finally made the trip up here and got serious about staying."

  "Oh, yeah. He totally kept it. I'll find it and send it to your phone for you. Are you looking today?"

  "Yep. Just got here. I need something really spacious and with lots of great light."

  "You got it. Give me about twenty minutes to look at the listings and I'll have something to you."

  I smiled. "Excellent. Thank you."

  "Anytime."

  We hung up and I turned to merge onto the freeway. I plugged the phone into the hands free device and pressed Erica's cell phone number, half expecting it to go to voicemail. This time I planned on leaving a message. She needed to know I was in town and wanted to talk to her - about the painting if nothing else.

  "This is Erica." Her voice sent tendrils of pleasure racing through me, as if the woman were an aphrodisiac altogether.

  "Erica. It's Matt. I just got into town. I'm headed to look at apartments, but I'd love to swing by the office and check in with you a little later if that'd be okay."

  "Yeah, sure. I have meetings all day long, but feel free to wait in my office if I'm not around. Just check in with Joan, my secretary, and if you're waiting too long, she'll hunt me down."

  "All right. I'll see you soon."

  She hung up without a response. I sighed and tried to not get too down on myself. It wasn't going to be easy walking back into her life. She needed to know that I wasn't running again, and I had to be sure I could get over judging myself unworthy of her before I promised that.

  My phone pinged a few minutes later and Linda had the listings for me, all of them looking great. Luckily enough, the first one I came to captivated my heart.

  Much like the woman I hoped to share it with eventually.

  ***

  "Matt. Good to see you again." Joan extended her hand as I walked toward her.

  "Pleasure is all mine." I shook her hand and nodded to Erica's office. "Is she around?"

  "She's in a meeting, but have a seat in her office and I'll let her know that you're here." She smiled. "Would you like a coffee or water?"

  "No thanks. I'll grab something myself if I get thirsty."

  "Of course. This is your father's firm."

  "Yep." I walked toward Erica's office, and breathed in deeply when I walked in, catching traces of her perfume. Every cell in my body woke up. I breathed in again as if I were out of breath. Dropping down in the chair in front of her desk, I imagined her sitting in front of me, her dark blond hair in a loose bun, her lips cherry red.

  What the fuck was I doing? Why did the boy in me show up when commitment was at stake? I forced myself to stand my ground with her when she came in.

  I was sorry.

  I was beyond interested.

  I was in love. Period.

  "Yeah, thanks, Joan. I'll just leave them in-"

  I turned as an old guy walked in with a bouquet of white roses and stopped at the door.

  "I'm so sorry," he started, "I'll come back in a little while."

  "No." I stood and walked toward him. "I'm Matthew, and you are?"

  "Kent's son. Of course." A warm smile lifted the guy’s face. Why was he bringing Erica flowers? Old friend? Her brother? He extended his hand. "I'm Mitch Roberson. The new Director of Advisory Services."

  "Oh. Yes." I shook his hand a little harder than was necessary. Why was the old bastard bringing Erica a gift? "Nice to meet you. My father's told me so much about you."

  "You're going to be joining us soon from what Erica tells me."

  "Yes. My father finally pushed enough." I forced a smile and crossed my arms over my chest. "Those are nice. For Erica?"

  "Oh, yeah." He moved around me and put the flowers on her desk. "She had a shitty start to her week, so I thought maybe I'd brighten it a little."

  "Nice." Why in the world had I thought that time would stand still, that fate would keep her tucked away for when I was ready? It was a cosmic joke, and it was on me.

  "Well, nice to meet you, Matt. I'll see you Monday for sure." He nodded and walked out, leaving me feeling far more inadequate than I should have. He was twice her age - at least. There was no way in hell she was interested.

  The sound of her laughter filled my ears. I got up and walked to the door, pausing in the entrance to hear her and Mitch talking. He was funny. Smart. Rich. Handsome. And she was enjoying his company.

  I turned and jogged to my seat, dropping down and working hard to keep my stomach from turning. Everything that happened from the moment I left her place last Monday to now was deserved. However bad it got, whatever I lost... I deserved every ounce of it for running.

  "Matt. I hope I didn't keep you waiting." She walked around me, giving me a split second to check her out from behind. Her black dress was business professional, but left miles of shapely leg on display.

  "Not at all. I just got here." I turned my attention to her, taking her in and forcing myself to breathe. She'd only gotten more beautiful, or maybe that was because I was close to losing her. After having her chase me hard and fast for the last two years, I was at a loss for how to react with her possibly moving on.

  Surely not.

  "Great." She smiled and sat down. "Did you find an apartment? If not, I can get one of my staff to help you."

  One of her staff?

  "Yeah. It's all done." I leaned back in my chair and studied her. "You look amazing."

  "You're bein
g sweet. What do you want?" She pressed her arms to the table and leaned toward me a little.

  You. I want you. Forever.

  "Well, for starters, I could use your help."

  "Sure. Whatever you need." She sat back in her chair and crossed her legs before fiddling with her hair. She was nervous. Good. At least I wasn't alone.

  "Jonathan set up the private showing for two weeks from Friday and he wants the piece I'm working on of you to be the main display."

  "Oh. Wow." Her eyes widened but she didn't look away. "Okay. So what do we need to do? You have plenty of pictures, right? There's no need for me to-"

  She didn't want to get naked in front of me again. My spirit wilted deep inside of me, stealing some of the color out of my world, leaving me cold.

  "No. No, of course not." I lifted my hand and forced a tight smile. How awkward we were. "I just wanted to see if you would help me get everything set up and maybe mix paints for me. It's a big project and I literally have nothing."

  "I can probably do that." She tilted her head to the side and blinked a few times as if waking up. "Did you bring these?" She reached out and plucked a white rose from the vase beside her.

  "No. Mitch did." Of course Mitch did.

  "When did you need my help?" She ignored me.

  "Tonight if you're free." I was pushing my luck. I'd yet to apologize. I was surprised she was even talking to me, but I wanted the timing to be right, and it wasn't, not yet at least.

  "I can't." She ran her fingers through her hair and licked at her lips. "Friday might work."

  "Okay, yeah. Friday would be great. I'll work to get the place set up with some furniture by then."

  "Great." She stood and pressed her hands to the desk. "Anything else?"

  "Um, no." I stood and my legs locked. "I'm starting on Monday, if that's okay."

  "Yep. We'll have everything set up for you by then." She moved around me and walked to the door, reaching up and sliding her hand down the frame. Everything about her turned me on and broke my heart in tandem.

  I walked toward her, realizing that I'd worn out my welcome and it hadn't been more than five minutes. "So we'll grab some fish tacos on Friday and then head to the art store. That okay?"