Claimed By My Best Friend’s Daddy
Mirabel was in full festive mode, dragging me from store to store, piling gifts into our baskets for her dad, Maria, and even a few things for herself “because why not?”
I tried to enjoy it. We tried on silly holiday sweaters, sampled too many candles that smelled like pine and vanilla, and argued over whether Mirabel’s dad would actually wear the ridiculous reindeer tie she picked out. The security team stayed discreet but close, and for a few hours I let myself laugh along with her, picking out a soft cashmere scarf I thought Rhys might like, then immediately putting it back because the thought of giving him anything felt dangerous now.
But my conscience wouldn’t shut up.