Wanting Daddy

"“I need to ask you something.” Benjamin Gonzalez's unexpected words made me pause. “What is it?” He studied me for a moment, as though trying to decide how much he should say. “Why have you been avoiding me since we arrived?” “I haven't.” “Then you're not very convincing.” I looked away before he could read the answer in my expression. There was one thing Benjamin could never know. For years, I had been hiding a secret from everyone. Especially from his daughter. + I have a secret. For the past three years, I have carried feelings for Benjamin Gonzalez—the confident and mysterious father of my best friend, Leah. I always knew those feelings could complicate everything. Leah is one of the most important people in my life, and risking our friendship over something I never expected to happen isn't a choice I want to make. So when Leah invites me on a vacation with her and Benjamin, I hesitate. Exploring Ibiza with my best friend sounds unforgettable. Spending so much time around Benjamin sounds like a very bad idea. Still, I convince myself that I can keep my feelings hidden. Then we arrive. Away from home and surrounded by unfamiliar places, I begin seeing a different side of Benjamin. He isn't simply Leah's confident father anymore. He's thoughtful, guarded, and far more difficult to understand than I expected. Even more confusing, he seems unusually interested in understanding me too. I try to create distance. Benjamin keeps asking questions. I remind myself that Leah can never discover my secret. But one unexpected evening changes the balance between all three of us. Suddenly, avoiding Benjamin is no longer enough. Questions are raised. Boundaries become complicated. And the friendship I wanted to protect may be the very thing I put at risk. I came to Ibiza expecting an unforgettable vacation with my best friend. I never expected to leave questioning what I truly wanted—or wondering whether Benjamin Gonzalez had been hiding a secret of his own."