151. Luther
Luther
Sitting at the table, waiting for Ashley and her boyfriend to show up, I wish for the hundredth time that Kendra was with me.
Ashley had it right the first time she mentioned her boyfriend—a double date would be nice.
Not that I need a buffer between me and my daughter. It would just be nice to not feel like a third wheel.
Purple hair catches my attention, and I stand as Ashley approaches the table.
“Hey, Dad.” She beams at me.
The luckiness hits me all over again.
Lucky that I got to have her.
That I got to keep her.
That I managed not to fuck up my relationship with her.
I take her offered hug, squeezing her tightly.
She laughs as she pulls away. “Miss me?”
“Always.” I reach for her head to ruffle her hair, but she dodges my hand.
“Dad, this is Kurt. Kurt, this is my dad. People call him Rocky.”
I eye the man standing beside my little girl.
He’s not quite my height, but he’s tall. Lanky. Nerdy. And looks to be almost fucking forty.
I hold my hand out.
His handshake is solid.
“How old are you?” I ask as I let go.
He keeps his eyes on mine. “I’m thirty-six. Sir.”
Ten years older than Ashley.
My daughter clears her throat.
When I look at her, she lifts a brow. “Kendra couldn’t join us?”
Kendra, my girlfriend, who is twenty-four years younger than I am. And the daughter of my best friend.
I drag my tongue over my teeth as I shake my head.
“Maybe next time.” She smiles as she reaches for a chair.
Kurt beats her to it, pulling the seat out for her.
I shake my head again as my lips pull up into a reluctant smile, and I accept defeat.