Page 92 of Too Sweet
“I expected a Hayes... just not you,” he continues. “I assumed it was one of the triplets, and I prayed it’s not Cody. No offense, but that kid gets on my nerves like nobody’s business.” He pulls a bag of ice from the freezer.
I move one barstool to the side of the island where I’ve got a better view of Mia. “Cody’s very talented when it comes to getting on people’s nerves. Why do you think she didn’t tell you who I am?”
“She knows we’re friends. I guess she wanted to surprise me,” he chuckles, pouring bourbon over ice, before sliding a glass across the counter toward me. “And boy, am I fucking surprised. I never pegged you for the type.”
“Neither did I,” I admit, my guards safely in place.
He might act cool but let’s face the facts. I’ve been friends with the guy for three years. We went out together more than once. I saw a few women stick their tongues down his throat or grip his dick through his pants, and he sure saw a few chicks dry hump me at the club.
This now is the first time I’ve ever felt awkward...
“I didn’t plan on coming home,” he adds. “But I got curious when Mia said she was bringing a boyfriend to Monaco. I wanted to grab a drink with the guy.” He lifts his glass up, eyes boring into mine. “So let’s have a drink, Nico.”
“I sense a few heavy questions.”
He waves his hand. “I know my daughter. I might not see her often, but I know everything there is to know. At least I did before you happened. She called me every time she had a date. I knew which guy she liked and which kissed like a puppy.”
“A puppy?”
“Yeah, apparently, he licked her face.”
“Remind me to ask her how he ranked on her scale.”
“A two, if I remember correctly.” He finishes his drink, and urges me to do the same, pouring another two fingers of bourbon into his glass, then mine. “How do you rank?”
Argh... I walked right into that one, didn’t I?
“A nine.”
Jimmy tsks, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Keep working.” He twirls the glass around, lost in thought.
“Ask away,” I encourage. “I’m sure you’ve got questions.”
“Oh, I do. Not for you, though. You’ll tell me what I want to hear.” He casts a glance at his daughter, still asleep on the couch. “She’ll tell me the truth.”
“I’ve never lied to you. And I won’t start now.”
He lifts the glass to his lips, taking a long, measured sip. “Alright, let’s check that theory. How long have you two been seeing each other?”
“A few weeks.”
“You had sex yet?”
I choke on the bourbon, inhaling a sip instead of drinking it. “What the fuck, Jimmy?”
He pats my back, chuckling quietly. “You know why I’m asking. You’ve got quite thehit it and quit itreputation.If you’ve not had sex yet—”
“You’ll assume that’s all I’m waiting for before I cut her loose,” I finish for him.
“You met Aisha by now, right? She’s a nymphomaniac. I walked in on her having sex more times than I’m willing to admit. You get immune after a while. The topic of my daughters’ sex life doesn’t bother me like it does most fathers. You said you won’t lie, so don’t fucking lie and don’t evade.”
“The answer isyes,and if we break up, you can be fucking sure it’ll be her who leaves me, not the other way around,” I seethe, squeezing my glass harder. “Next question.”
He chuckles, patting my shoulder. “Relax. I don’t want the details. Mia’s always been a loner. Always quiet, but for the past few weeks, she’s been unusually cheerful. You make her happy.”
I sure hope so. Navigating our relationship is a challenge like no other. Instead of getting easier, it’s getting harder because she’s easily influenced. She hardly ever stands up to me. I’m flying blind, but I think I’m doing okay.
“She makes me happier,” I admit, looking over to where she’s still asleep, holding the blanket to her cheek. “I guess it might bother you that I’m ten years older—”
