All Chapters of Loving my fathers best friend : Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

BELLAThe backyard smelled like charcoal smoke, grilled burgers, and sunscreen. Laughter floated over the music of some old jazz playlist my dad loved and kids chased each other around the patio furniture. I stood on the deck steps for a second, taking it all in, my navy dress fluttering against my legs in the warm breeze.Mom had outdone herself. Long tables covered in red-checkered cloths, bowls of potato salad, corn on the cob, trays of ribs. String lights were already glowing even though the sun hadn’t set yet. Classic Harper family barbecue.“Bella!” My aunt Lisa spotted me first. She hurried over in her bright yellow sundress, arms wide. “Look at you, all grown and gorgeous!”I laughed and let her pull me into a hug that smelled like coconut lotion. “Hey, Aunt Lisa. You haven’t changed a bit.”“Liar,” she said, stepping back to look me over. “College did something good to you. Come say hi to everyone before they eat all the food.”She looped her arm through mine and dragged m

BELLAMonday morning came faster than I wanted.I stood in front of the mirror in my old bedroom, smoothing the front of my charcoal pencil skirt for the third time. The white blouse was crisp, fitted just enough to feel professional without crossing into dangerous territory. I’d left the top button undone barely and told myself it was because I hated feeling choked. Not because I remembered the way Alex’s eyes had darkened at the barbecue when he looked at me.I pulled my hair into a low ponytail, added a touch of lip gloss, and grabbed my bag.Downstairs, Mom had coffee waiting. Dad was already in his suit, scrolling emails on his phone.“Ready for your first day?” he asked without looking up.“Ready as I’ll ever be.”He glanced at me then, smiled. “You’ll do great. Alex will show you around. He’s got your desk set up next to his open plan now, makes collaboration easier.”My stomach did a slow flip.“Next to him?” I kept my voice even.“Yeah. You’ll be working closely on the Th

BELLA I didn’t go to work the next day.I woke up at seven, stared at my alarm until it stopped screaming, then rolled over and pulled the covers over my head. My phone buzzed on the nightstand probably Dad wondering where I was, or Alex checking if I was okay. I didn’t look. I couldn’t.The rejection sat in my chest like a stone. Heavy. Cold. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face when he pulled away: the tight jaw, the guilt flashing in his eyes, the way he’d said “we can’t” like it was a law carved in stone.I’d kissed him.And he’d kissed me back for one stupid, perfect second before he ripped the moment apart.Now everything felt wrong. My skin felt too tight. My stomach churned. Even breathing hurt a little.Mom knocked around nine.“Bella? Honey, you okay in there?”I mumbled something about a headache. She bought it. Or pretended to. She left a tray outside my door tea, toast, ibuprofen and told me to rest.I didn’t touch the food.I just lay there in the dim room, curt

BELLAFriday had been a blur of blankets and regret.By Monday morning I forced myself out of bed, showered, and put on my most professional outfit a navy blouse and black trousers that felt safe and boring. No fitted skirts today. No low necklines. I needed armor.Dad drove us to the office again, chatting about weekend plans like nothing was wrong. I nodded along, stomach in knots the whole way. Alex would be there. At the desk right next to mine. After the kiss. After the shutdown. After I’d spent the weekend replaying it and crying like an idiot.I kept my eyes on the elevator floor the whole ride up.When we stepped onto the fifteenth floor, the office noise hit me phones, keyboards, morning chatter. I headed straight for my desk without looking around.Alex was already there.He looked up the second I sat down. Our eyes met for a split second before we both looked away.My heart slammed against my ribs.He cleared his throat. “Bella… can we talk for a minute?”I nodded without m