Chapter 9
ALEX
I wake up early Sunday morning, at home, in my own bed.
My sheets are in total disarray—coiled tightly around my feet, my thighs, my waist—teetering on choking the life out of me.
Evidence of a restless night’s sleep.
I drag my hands through my hair and head to the bathroom, feeling the urge to brush my teeth. Thankfully, my dick has finally decided it needs a break, as I didn’t wake up with my usual morning wood.
After leaving Elijah’s place around noon yesterday, I came straight home and showered, hoping to scrub away any imprints left behind from his beautifully brutal lips.
Meeting Gabriel had been… unexpected. I can’t imagine how it must’ve felt, seeing another man with his ex-husband. But, to his credit, he handled it well. Gracefully, even—though he definitely could’ve toned down the sarcasm a notch.
And he seems like a decent guy too.
I remember Emilee once telling me how sweet Ana’s parents were. From what I gathered, Ana and Gabriel were close. Like two peas in a pod, my daughter had said.
Still… I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve seen this guy somewhere before.
Pushing that thought aside, I head out for a five-mile run, tearing up the asphalt and willing my body to sweat out any and all confused thoughts about my self-identity.
When I return home, I make a beeline for the shower.
I know I’m in desperate need of a shave too, but I purposely avoid looking in the mirror, unable to face myself after my marathon of sexual… revelations.
I slick my hair back, throw on some loose, tattered jeans, and pad barefoot into the kitchen. Straight to the coffee machine. I pop in a pod, yawn, set my mug under the spout, and hit start.
“Morning, Dad!”
Emilee’s voice shatters the morning calm. I jump back, scalding coffee sloshing down my arm and splattering onto the hardwood floor.
“Shit—Emilee!”
“What the heck, Dad?”
“What are you doing home?” I bark, grabbing the paper towels with one hand while slamming a new pod into the coffee maker with the other.
Hopefully, my skin absorbs the coffee—and fast.
Emilee snickers. “Um, I live here? Also, I came back early—Ana’s coming over.”
Fuck, that’s right.
I whip my head around and feel a kink in my neck as I do.
“Ana’s coming over? Why? Why is Ana coming over?”
Emilee squints at me. “Jesus, Dad. What is wrong with you? You’re acting super weird. Chill.”
I wish I could. God, I really wish I could.
But right now? Chilling is not on the menu.
I watch in horror as she reaches for her vibrating phone and pulls up the building’s app.
“Ana’s here!” she announces, then skips off to buzz her in.
Meanwhile, I’m crouched in the kitchen, spreading paper towels across the floor like I’m trying to mop up the mess of my own damn life.
Emilee appears, just as I’m blotting the last puddle. “So, what did you do this weekend?”
I’m given a solid ten seconds to pull myself together.
“Nothing. I did absolutely nothing this weekend.”
Except get totally fucking naked with your best friend’s dad—just ask Ana.
The door swings open before I can even digest that thought.
“Hi, Mr. J. Seems I’m just in time for coffee. I’m beginning to love these mornings together,” Ana announces, completely unfazed.
I stand up from the floor, holding out a mug of black coffee like a peace offering.
Fucking hell.
I wipe a sheen of sweat from my forehead. “Good morning, Ana. Nice to see you again. How was your weekend?” I toss out, testing the waters.
She blows gently on her coffee, then lifts those knowing eyes to meet mine. “My dad’s downstairs in the car. He wants to see you.”
Of course he does.
Struggling to maintain my composure, I blow out a breath. “Sure, um, tell him I’m coming.” I practically choke on the words. What the hell is wrong with me? Tossing the paper towels into the trash, I add, “Just let me put on some clothes,” realizing that I’m in the kitchen with no shirt on again.
She smirks, clearly enjoying this. “No worries. I just texted him to come up instead.”
“I didn’t realize you knew Ana’s dad,” Emilee chimes in, casually popping a pod of hot chocolate into the single-service brewer.
Jesus.
I’ve been awake for all of two hours and already I feel like I’ve lived an entire day in a soap opera.
“Mornin’, Mr. G,” Emilee sings, heading toward the door.
She swings it open.
“Buenos días, Emilee.”
My second cup of coffee sloshes over the rim the moment I hear that Spanish voice. I swear—it’s the sexiest sound I’ve ever heard.
“Elijah,” I greet him, voice tight. My feet feel like they’re nailed to the darn hardwood. It’s a struggle just to turn around—but when I do… damn.
Freshly shaven. Navy slacks. Light button-down, sleeves rolled. He’s the only one I know who can make dressy casual look like foreplay.
And on a Sunday, no less.
“Don’t mind my dad, G,” Emilee says with a dramatic eye roll. “He’s not himself this morning.”
No kidding.
I wish the floor would just open up and swallow me whole.
Elijah steps fully into the kitchen, hands on his hips, looking every bit the confident man who definitely feels the shift in energy.
“Coffee?” I offer, lips barely moving.
“Oh. My. God! Your dad is totally crushing on my dad!” Ana blurts, practically bouncing with delight.
It hits so fast, I don’t even have time to react—unless you count my jaw hitting the floor.
Emilee’s eyes dart between Elijah and me. I can almost hear her internal monologue spinning.
“How cool would that be, Em? I can see the headlines now—Successful businessman hooks up with world-famous model! Yesss!” Ana throws her arms in the air like she’s manifesting it into reality.
Emilee giggles and high-fives her best friend.
Why is this my life?
Thankfully, Elijah chooses to ignore the theatrics. “Actually, I was heading over to Bourbon Bar,” he says, casually adjusting the cuff of his sleeve. “Why don’t you join me?”
I glance at my daughter. She lifts a single brow, daring me. “Go ahead, Dad. Join him.”
Her eyes bounce suspiciously between us. Great—now I’ll be the headline in their group chat.
But honestly?
That’s a no-brainer.
I’ve never been so grateful for an excuse to get the hell out of drama town.