Page 76 of The Daddy’s Girl

But if I had sex with him tonight, it wouldn’t feel good.

And that’s more telling than anything.

I still have to let Amelia go. Nothing will change that.

But at least now I know, as I gently let down my friend and thank him for the invitation, that my heart is still capable of pounding to a new beat.

At least I know…it’s not too late.

Rule #21: Always try to win over his mother.

Amelia

Iwish I was one of those people who could say she wouldn’t fixate on what happened last night and move on with her day with ease and total control. But the moment my eyes pop open after a long night of fitful sleep, I can already feel the knotting in my stomach and the sense of dread building in my core.

Rolling over, I stare at the dresser on which I sat last night while Matis gave me a small taste of everything I have ever wanted. His touch was even more skilled than I expected. His mouth, his intensity, his care.

He is…as I knew he would be…perfect.

But now what? Now he’s going to spiral away from me, convincing himself that just ignoring me would be better for everyone. That it was nothing. That I should just forget it.

But then my phone buzzes on the nightstand, and I turn over to fish it out from between the discarded books and empty water bottle.

And there on the screen…is his name.

Matis: Good morning, my treasure. I am going to see my mother today, but perhaps afterward we can talk. I know I left things uncertain last night. Please don’t worry too much today. Everything will be okay.

A stinging sensation builds behind my eyes and nose as my lips stretch across my teeth in a tight smile. How dare he be so fucking perfect?

How dare he know exactly what I need even without me asking for it?

How dare he not be mine?

Sitting up in bed, I type out my response.

Amelia: Thank you for that. Tell your mom I said hi. You know if you want some company when you go to see her, I have nothing on my schedule today.

Biting my bottom lip, I consider if maybe this was too bold. Does he think I’m only trying to seduce him back into my arms again? That’s definitely not what I want. I don’t actually want to torment Matis. But I also want him to see that this isn’t all physical for me.

I want him. Not his body or his skills or attention.

He and I are actually really good together, and even if he doesn’t see that, then maybe I can convince him that if things don’t work out romantically, I will always be a part of his life. Or at least I want to be.

Quickly I type out another response.

Amelia: I mean as a friend, of course. No funny business.

It takes him a moment to respond. But when his text comes through, it makes me smile so brightly I could fly off this bed.

Matis: Sure, Trouble. Yes, I’d love the company and I’m sure she’d love to see you. Can I pick you up in an hour?

Amelia: I’ll be ready.

I leap out of bed like my house is on fire. Jumping in the shower, I have a tingle of excitement deep in my bones. No matter how hard I try to calm myself, it doesn’t seem to work. Matis and I are on the precipice of something big, and I know I should be calming my racing thoughts and coming back to earth, but that might as well be impossible.

I quickly blow-dry my hair and straighten the messy waves into a slick bob. Then I pull on a green corduroy skirt with a white lace crop top and a pair of tan strappy sandals. Checking my appearance in the mirror, I realize it’s missing something, so I sift through my assortment of jewelry to finish the look. Lots of gold bangles and some dangly earrings help a lot.

There’s a creak in the floor, and I watch in the stand-up mirror to see my mom peek her head in. “Hey, can I borrow your weekender bag?”