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“You look good in my shirt,” he says in a low voice filled with so much hunger as he looks at me, I want to forget all about having the upper hand, jump into his arms, and tell him to take me right here, right now.
Before I can say something stupid and ruin this whole upper-hand thing, I hear my name shouted above the low hum of people talking and the quiet sound of house music playing through the sound system.
“Oh, my God, you look amazing! I love what Ariel did with your makeup!” Cindy says, coming up to us with her hand linked through PJ’s elbow. “Doesn’t she look amazing, PJ?”
“I did not get a boner!” he announces to Vincent, pulling his arm away from Cindy to hold both of his hands up in the air.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Vincent growls.
“Nothing!” PJ and I shout together.
I figure now isn’t the best time to let Vincent know I gave his friend a lap dance. I’ll save that for later. Like, when he’s sleeping and I can whisper it in his ear, relieving my guilty conscience while also not having to deal with his wrath.
Thankfully, I’m saved from the questioning look Vincent is giving PJ when I hear someone else shout my name. I quickly turn away from Vincent with a smile on my face that immediately drops as I let out a gasp.
“Dad?! What are you doing here?” I ask in disbelief as I watch him quickly move through crowds of people to get to me.
Then I notice the woman standing next to him, and my eyes move down to see their hands laced together. My father notices where my eyes have strayed and gives me a sheepish shrug.
“We’re dating now.”
“Tell her the rest,” Luanne urges, bumping her shoulder into his.
“You mean about how it was love at first sight the day you walked into my house and took your clothes off, and I haven’t been able to keep my hands off you since then?” he asks her with a chuckle that makes Luanne laugh. I want to throw up in my mouth as the two share an intimate look.
“No, silly! The other thing,” Luanne states, widening her eyes at him.
My dad clears his throat and steps away from Luanne to stand right in front of me, his cheeks growing red with embarrassment as he gives me a sad smile.
“Isabelle, I want to apologize for the things I’ve said to you and the way I’ve treated you. I’m sorry for smothering you. I’m sorry for being too overprotective and for making you feel like you couldn’t live your own life. I’ve always been so proud of you and that hasn’t changed, no matter what stupid things I said when I was angry and confused,” he says. “I didn’t realize I needed to stop being so stubborn until Luanne walked into my house that day, telling me I was acting like an idiot.”
“I believe the exact words I said were, ‘Stop acting like an asshole. Strap on a set of balls and apologize to your daughter for acting like an overgrown child throwing a temper tantrum,’” Luanne adds, giving me a wink.
My dad nods, giving her a smile before continuing.
“You have every right to make your own choices and do whatever makes you happy. And if that’s taking your clothes off for money, then I support you in every way, because I love you.”
My eyes cloud with tears and I quickly blink them back so I don’t ruin my makeup and have to deal with Ariel’s wrath.
My dad wraps his arms around me and pulls me against him, giving me a tight hug. I look over his shoulder at Luanne, mouthing the words thank you to her.
“Plus, your friend Cynthia told Luanne you were dancing tonight, and I couldn’t miss my baby’s debut!” he tells me excitedly as I yank myself out of his hold.
“WHAT?!” I shout, staring at him like he’s lost his mind.
It’s bad enough that in a few minutes, I have to get up on that stage and dance for a bunch of strangers, as well as Vincent and my friends. I assumed my dad just popped in here to apologize and then he’d leave. There is no way in hell I’m taking my clothes off with him sitting in the audience. That’s just . . . gross. And wrong.
“Don’t worry, sweetie, he’s not going to watch,” Luanne reassures me.
Then, she reaches into her purse and pulls something out, holding it up in the air.
“We used this blindfold the other night,” she states, handing the pink satin piece of fabric with an elastic band over to my father while they both share a giggle that makes me even more uncomfortable than the idea of my dad watching me strip.
