Hooking Up With My Dad's Best Friend

Slowly, I make my way over to the drinks table. The road trip was really fun, and I’ll make the best of this party. He’s happy, and that’s important to me. But I can’t just only talk to him, or people will get suspicious. And because I don’t know anyone, starting up a conversation is bound to be small talk.

But that’s okay, we still have the drive back together, and I’m looking forward to more of Bryce’s singing antics. And perhaps another stop at a diner. Yes, please.

I am pouring myself a drink—just a soda—when I overhear people whispering behind me. “Who the fuck is that?”

A second voice replies. “That, my friend, is Bryce Hamilton. Marcy’s older stepbrother.”

“She has a stepbrother?” A third voice asks. “Jesus, if he was my stepbrother, I think I’d ignore brother part. I mean…no blood relation, right?”

The three of them laugh together.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a hotter person in real life,” the first voice says. “What else do we know about him?”

I can almost imagine the smirk on the second woman’s face, and I can hear it in her voice. “Well, this isn’t going to make him less hot for you, but he’s British.”

That makes me smile. Because it definitely makes him hotter—not that he needs any help in that department. At all. Bryce is just barely in my line of sight, and I can see his profile. He’s gorgeous. And from here I can see the way his pants cup that stellar ass of his and I have to yank myself back from dirty thoughts so I can keep listening.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” the first woman says. “British guys are so hot.”

“I am not kidding,” Voice two replies.

“Hmm,” says voice three. “How old is he?”

There’s a light giggle from the first woman. “I don’t give a shit how old he is. Fine is fine.”

“I know this is a baby shower,” the third woman says, sounding dejected. “but the baby’s not here yet, right? Maybe we could have some kind of strip show?”

The second woman gasps. “You’re so bad! He’s not going to put on a strip show for his sister.”

The first voice again. “No, of course not. She meant privately. I would prefer it be me, just the two of us, in a room upstairs. I’ve never in my life hit on someone at a baby shower, but I’m pretty sure that’s going to change. If both he and I…disappear for a while, you’ll know where I am.”

The second voice snickers and the third voice suddenly sounds curious. “But in all seriousness, do we know if he’s seeing anybody?”

“I don’t know that,” voice two says. “but last I heard, he’s been single for a long time.”

Jealousy is a strange feeling. I’m not used to it—not comfortable with it. Just like I was jealous when I thought about Bryce being with other women before me, I’m suddenly jealous of these women thinking that he’s free for them to take. Like he’s on sale.

Bryce would never cheat, but I don’t want this. I want everyone to know he’s mine. Even if that’s not possible. Fuck.

“In that case,” voice one says, “I think I’ll shoot my shot, ladies.”

“Actually, he’s off the market.” I say, turning to face the three women. Shit. You should not have opened your mouth, Katti. Why did you do that?

All three of the woman startle, like they had no idea I was close enough to overhear them. And then, with a comically in-sync motion, they all look me up and down. They’re all older than I am, but only by a few years. And beautiful, too. If Bryce weren’t with me, I imagine they might have a chance.

“And how would you know that?” the woman with long blonde hair asks. She’s the first voice—the one who was about to hit on Bryce.

Shit. What do I say to that? I open my mouth, and the brunette speaks as if I’m not there. “She can’t possibly.” Then she looks at me. “I’m Marcy’s best friend, and I’ve literally never seen you before, so the only way you could know that Bryce Hamilton isn’t single is if you were dating him.” She rolls your eyes. “Now stop being a petty, jealous bitch, and go away now.”

Oh. She thinks I said it because I want him and not because I already have him. I suppose there are worse things. But the third woman is studying me, looking at my face. “Are you dating him?”

I see the possibility sink in to the brunette and her eyes go wide. But before I can protest, I hear laughter. Marcy is at my side. “Don’t be ridiculous, Shelby. This is Katti, she’s an old family friend. This is Shelby, my best friend Jenna, and Myra. But honestly, you three are absurd.”