Addicted

"He exists. I know he does." I shrugged and slipped my hands under my thighs. "My father has a knack for fashion. His ski and snowboard line sells pretty well. With a better color palate to pull from, he could double his profits, but I've told him that until I'm blue in the face."

"So, tell him in a different way. Maybe if he sees you in action as a designer yourself, he'll start to respect your opinion a little more. You're still just his little girl. Prove to him that you've grown into an independent woman."

"Why are we talking about my father? Back to the man of my dreams."

She chuckled and nodded. "Yes, continue as you were."

"I want him to be built more like a quarterback than a linebacker, tall, and impossibly handsome."

"So like Seth?"

"Yeah, but brown hair and warm brown eyes. A great laugh, too. Seth's laugh is horrible and seems so fake to me."

"Agreed. He does that shit to get attention. All the football guys do." She tapped the steering wheel as a good song came on the radio. "And, he has to like your family."

"Good luck on my Dad, but my brother...yeah. He has to be a good role model, too. Not a drunk or someone who sluts himself out, you know?"

"I think it's okay if he did that in his past, but not now. We're all stupid in our adolescence."

"I wasn't." I gave her a pompous look and stuck my nose in the air.

"You still are like that." She popped me in the shoulder and I laughed.

I loved a good dark beer and a party as much as the next girl, but sleeping around was out.

"The plan is simple. I'm going to spend December with my Dad, mostly focusing on my little brother, and when it's all over, I'll have a zillion designs drawn up for my clothing line and the money to get rolling on it."

Twenty-five days with my Dad and the money for my company will be mine. I can do this.

"Then, you'll come back home to us?"

"To you. Yes."

"Not Seth?" Jessie glanced my way.

"Why are you so concerned about Seth?"

"I just think he's a good guy and you should be careful with his heart. I know he's head over heels for you." She shrugged.

"He wants a trophy wife, Jessie. I'd n

ever be okay with that. I want a partnership with passion. Someone who can support my dreams and still follow their own, too."

"You don't think that's Seth?"

"Not at all. He wants me to support his dreams and smile for the cameras. Ain't happening." I huffed.

"Ain't isn't a word." She laughed and jerked out of my reach as I swatted at her.

"I love you. I'm going to miss you." I squeezed her shoulder as she turned, her eyes full of tears.

"Me, too, but this is going to be amazing for you. I can feel it deep down inside of me."

"And, will I return to you after Christmas, oh seer of the future?"

"Absolutely not. You'll be in love and sold on the cold."

"Possibly. Perhaps. Nope, never."