14. Vance
VANCE
This woman was SO far out of my league. She was stunning, successful and fucking brilliant.
I didn’t stand a chance. No wonder Tyson was pissed off that she just walked out, but now that I’ve spent more than two seconds with her, I can see why.
She is her own provider and she’s going to look out for herself.
Of course she just left. She didn’t need to stay.
Also, his tiny condo was a box compared to her place. I would have left too.
We walked in and my dad nearly tackled me. “Hey kiddo! How are you?” He wrapped me in a tight hug, Adelaide was still holding my hand. I didn’t drop her hand in time, Addy was left holding my hand awkwardly. “Oh…sorry.” he backed off quickly and went behind the bar. “Miss, what can I get for you?”
“Whatever you recommend.” She grinned. Clearly enjoying my embarrassment.
“Oh…we have a drink, my special concoction.” My dad beamed. He loved when people let him decide.
I caught Adelaide’s glance, she looked scared. I would be too if I didn’t know anything that man made was good. “It’s good.” I nodded towards the bar.
She turned back to him, smiling from ear to ear and he ate it up. “Then give me your best.”
“I like her. She can stay. You should go.” He motioned towards the door. If Adelaide was good at anything, it was winning people over. Although I’d think doing what she does for a living you have to be good at selling yourself.
“So, Adelaide, this is my dad, Jack. Jack…Adelaide.” I motioned between them.
“Such a wonderful name.” My dad beamed. He looked so fucking happy. Maybe she couldn’t go back to Tyson. “You know…” He leaned in and talked out of the corner of his mouth. “He never brings girls here. You must be special.”
She met him on his level, right to talking out the side of her beautiful red painted lips, “I think, he didn’t want to be seen with me. I’m kind of a big deal.” She winked at me.
Goddamn. I have never wanted someone more in my entire fucking life. My dad leaned back and looked me up and down. “You don’t deserve this lovely young lady. When he fucks up, I want dibs.” He finally turned around and started to make her drink.
“Good lord.” I sat down with Adelaide and wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “You’ll have to come back and visit now. He’s like the town cat that once you feed it, it keeps coming back.”
“I’d like that. This is fun and we’ve only been here a few minutes.” She nudged me with her shoulder.
Holy shit.
Adelaide snapped her fingers in front of my face. “The usual?”
“Oh, yup. The usual.” I blinked a few times.
A beer was sitting in front of me already, which caused my dad and Adelaide to laugh hysterically. “When the food is done, I’ll seat you guys.”
“Hey pops, can I talk to you?” I needed him to cool it on the flattery. I was already off my game and he wasn’t helping.
“Sure thing.” He walked around the bar and we went back into the office. The minute the door closed he accosted me with questions. “How did you meet? What does she do? Where is she from?”
“Okay.” I put my hand up. “One, she went out with Ty and came to the gym and I asked her out. Two, she likes to keep her work life private. Three, I don’t know. This is our first date.”
“Son, she’s fucking great. Don’t let Ty scoop her up. I like the guy well enough, but you deserve a solid gal in your life.” Solid gal. That is such a dad comment. Adelaide was the farthest thing from a ‘gal’.
“This is dinner and drinks. Nothing more, nothing less.” I finally was able to get out.
He slugged my shoulder and I grunted. “Well, I say go for it. She seems to really like you.”
“You are just saying that to keep from hurting my feelings.” I knew I wasn't good enough for Adelaide Byrnes. Honestly, Ty wasn’t much further ahead of me.
He put his hand on my shoulder. “After Mj died I was a mess and you held me up for a long time. You deserve to be happy and to be as happy as your mom and I were.”
Oh shit. He never talked about mom. EVER. “Dad…” I might cry.
“No, you should hear this. That girl out there, she’s like your mom. The attitude, the smile, the easiness to be around. I honestly think I need her around.” He laughed, then shook his head sadly. “I just have a feeling.” Is this a blessing?
“Oookkkaayyy….enough feelings for today. I’m going to enjoy my date.” I opened the door and heard Adelaide’s laughter floating down the hall.
She had another guy in overalls standing next to her, she was flirting but clearly not super comfortable. My dad skirted out past me to save the day. “Hey Jerry, how’s it going?”
“Oh great Jack. Who’s this pretty city slicker?” Jerry motioned to Adelaide who was clearly relieved that my dad was back, although still leaning back in her seat away from Jerry.
“No one you need to worry about.” My dad grabbed two more drinks, then slid them across to me. “Son, why don’t you come get drinks and set your girl up at the table I set. I’ll bring the food over in a minute.” My girl. Why did I like the sounds of that? I was frozen.
“Vance.” Dad said with more authority now, tapping the bar in front of me. I needed to get it together.
Adelaide was already up though, she handed me my fresh beer and she had a new drink. “You know it’s not polite to bring a girl out to the country and leave her to the locals while you catch up with your dad.” She ended up escorting me part of the way before I took over.
I put my hand on the small of her back and led her to the table, “I’m really sorry. He likes to talk.” And he never talks about mom, that was the most stunning part, well then calling Addy my girl. That also threw me off.
“So, having Jerry come and talk to me with a terrible pick up line made me think, you are goofy enough that you must have some good pick up lines.” She smirked, although I didn’t know how to take the ‘goofy’ comment. “I’ll start. Did you invent the airplane, because you are clearly Mr. Wright.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, that’s bad.”
“C’mon. Hit me. What’s your best pick up line?” She playfully kicked my shin, I pretended that it hurt and held my leg.
“Alright…” I straightened out. “Let me tie your shoes, because I don’t want you falling for anyone else.”
“Ohhhh…. I see you.” She leaned back now, crossing her legs. “Do you like sales, because if you are looking for a good one, clothing is 100% off at my place.”
Fuck me. Fuck me right now. Right where I’m sitting. Adelaide tapped the table in front of me. “I win. By the way, You're speechless.”
“Of course I am.” How could I not be?!
“Why is that Vance?” She leaned forward, showing off her impressive cleavage.
“Thinking about going back to your place was the furthest thing from my mind until you brought it up. Which feels like fair game now.” Good save.
I internally patted myself on the back. “Alright, I have another one.” I cleared my throat.
“Are you a parking ticket because you have ‘fine’ written all over you.”
Her hand flew to her mouth. “Wow.” I hoped that would be a good thing.
“That good, huh?” I laughed with her.
“No…I’m sorry honey. That was horrible.” She put her hand on my arm. “Accept the loss.” I couldn’t stop myself from looking down at where her hand was. I was falling fast and hard for this woman.
Time to rally, “What did Jerry say that made you laugh so hard?”
“Are you a bank loan, because you have my interest?” She winced.
“Oh god, that’s really bad.” We both busted out laughing as Dad came around the corner behind me with two plates. “Thanks pops.” I said as he sat each plate down.
“Don’t fuck this up.” He walked off, patting my shoulder.
She cocked her head. “What was that about?”
“He’s just a sentimental old man.” It was the truth, but I was related to that sentimental old man and she was hitting me hard and fast.
“I like him.” Addy smiled softly.
“I like him too.” I agreed and she laughed again.
“That’s probably a good thing.” Addy picked up her drink and took a few gulps. Maybe she was more nervous than she was letting on.
She bit into her burger and did this adorable little dance, “Wow.” She said through the big bite that she was chewing.
“I know. What did I tell you? Try a fry.” I picked one up off my plate and held it out.
Instead of taking it from my hand, she leaned forward and used her mouth to take it.
I was not prepared for that and my cock instantly stood at attention hearing her moan over the perfectly fried and salted french fry.
“Damn. We’ll definitely have to do this again.
” She went back to eating and I struggled to concentrate.
I never stood a chance. That’s what I realized.
I should have known though, Ty didn’t just take anyone home, he didn’t just tell people what he did and he definitely didn’t just let girls stay the night.
She had to have been special and now I see why.