CHAPTER 2

EXs HOT DAD

Selena. 

Four weeks ago. 

"Tonight, we're getting you out of that depressing mood you've been stuck in." Kate grasps my hand, her bright smile infectious. 

"I'm not in a depressing mood." I counter, pushing between the crowd of people in the club. 

She gives me a bored look. "Yeah, I can clearly see that. You've been stuck inside all day because you enjoy your bedroom's scenery." 

She rolls her eyes. 

Kate is right. 

Ever since my breakup with James, I've been choosing to heal in solitude and if she hadn't practically dragged me out of the house, I won't be here. 

"Did we have to go to a club though?" I ask, as I adjust the strap of my body con spaghetti strapped dress. 

The bright pink color suddenly makes me feel self conscious. 

We get to the counter, and I plop myself onto the bar stool. "Yes, Sel. Clubs are fun, and you can meet new people here. It's been a month, you need to forget him. I'm pretty sure he's done the same." 

I press my lips firmly together, trying to will my eyes not to  moisten up.

Thankfully, Kate doesn't see this because she's getting our drinks. 

My ex-boyfriend, James and I had been dating for almost six months, up till a month ago when he ended things between us, and in his own words said that, "He didn't feel a connection between us anymore." 

A connection? 

"Strawberry cocktail for you, and vodka for me." Kate turns to hand me my drink as she downs hers in a quick gulp. 

I follow the motion, and feel the heat in my stomach, as the drink flows through me. 

This is much better. 

"Don't look so glum. I didn't bring you here to sulk. We're here to have fun, and kiss strangers." 

Kiss strangers? 

I'm not sure I'm interested in all that. I loved James, and he broke my heart like it meant nothing to him. 

Moving on is the last thing on my mind, but I offer my best friend a bright smile. 

"I appreciate this, Kate. I really do, and you're right, I should try to enjoy myself." No matter how hard it is. 

Sometimes, I still ask myself if I'm ever going to find someone who would love me forever. Not as something to pass the time. 

"That's what best friends are for. Another round on me!" Kate giggles as the bartender hands her two drinks again. 

She's extremely lightweight, but I don't say anything to this. 

By the time I’m downing the third glass, I feel a little looser. 

The colors in the club seems brighter. The thumping bass shakes off my melancholy, and there's a tingling feeling in my toes. 

Kate leans closer to me, "Don't look right now, but there's a hot guy staring at you." Her voice slurs a bit, and it takes me a while to grasp what she's saying. 

"Huh?" I reply. 

She winks at me. 

I try to be discreet about it, but fail miserably when my eyes catch sight of the person Kate is talking about. 

I turn back so quickly, I almost give myself a whiplash. 

"What the hell, Kate?" I shoot her a glare. 

She pouts at me, "What? He's hot. I guess he looks a bit older than us, but who cares?" 

That's not it. 

How do I say this to her…

"That's James' dad." I deadpan. 

The smile drops from her face. "What? James? Loser ex-boyfriend, James?" Her eyes widen in surprise. 

I nod as I take a sip of my drink, taking it slower this time. "Wow, I always knew James had underserved good genes, but wow!"

Why am I not surprised that's the first thing she notices? 

"Wait, he's coming over." 

This time my body stiffens. And I would have been fine staying perfectly still, if I didn't hear his voice right behind me.

"Hey ladies." I turn towards him slowly, my grip on my glass getting tighter as I plaster a smile on my face. 

"Hi!" My voice comes out in a squeak and from the corner of my eyes, I can see the big smile on Kate’s face. 

"I'll go get myself another drink." She says quickly, turning towards the bartender. 

I groan inwardly. I definitely didn't need this tonight. 

Of course the first night I decide to step out, I have to meet my ex's dad. 

Just splendid! 

"I don't mean to make you uncomfortable, but you look really familiar..." He lets the words trail off, and I don't know if it's because of the amount of alcohol I've consumed, but I find his voice very soothing. 

In fact, that's not the only thing I suddenly notice about him. 

His eyes too—dark chocolate pools that look like you could drown in them. 

The way he towers over me, making it hard to meet his eyes, instead my eyes remain on the single open button exposing his toned chest as he speaks. 

The glistening brown skin underneath his midnight black suit, and grey shirt. 

I suddenly have the urge to run my tongue over that chocolate skin. Just a quick swipe. 

Get a grip, Selena. 

It's definitely the alcohol. 

"You don't remember me?" I force my eyes to meet his. His brow raises in confusion, and I find myself smiling at this. 

He's James' dad, and I should definitely not be smiling at anything he does, but I can't pull my eyes away from him. 

"I'm Selena, James introduced us some time back." Thankfully, my voice comes out stronger. 

"James?" He rubs his chin for a bit, and I stare at how huge his hands are. "Yes, Selena! I knew I'd seen you somewhere. At the Christmas party?" He asks. 

I can only manage a nod. Remembering that I'd spent last Christmas with James.

James who didn't feel the connection between us anymore. 

Thinking of James suddenly reminds me that the time I'd been introduced to his dad, we'd only exchanged a few words because James wasn't really in good terms with him.  

I vaguely remember him saying something about the man being a pompous arrogant jerk, and never being a good father to him, but James is usually wrong about a lot of things. 

"Yeah, and you're Mr. Spectra?" I offer a handshake which he accepts warmly.

"Please call me Ethan. We're practically family." He replies, and the smile falls off my face. 

Practically family. 

Except we’re not. 

Ethan notices it quickly and gives me a quizzical look, "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?” He asks, genuinely confused. 

I wave my hand dismissively, and force a grin on my face. "It's nothing. James and I are no longer together.” 

It takes a moment for Ethan to really process what I've said, before his eyes widen in surprise. 

Now I've made things awkward.