Page 17 of Twins with Daddy’s Bestie

“Wanna put on some real-people clothes and grab some lunch to celebrate? My treat,” Dad says with a grin.

“You mean to tell me this isn’t acceptable for lunch at the Four Seasons?” I spread my arms to show off the oversized blanket hoodie I threw on after the shower. It hangs past my knees, and if it weren't for the adjustable cuffs, my body would be swallowed by it.

“I was thinking more along the lines of Cheesecake Factory, but no, it isn’t.” He smiles and sits at the kitchen table as he waits for me to get ready.

It doesn't take me long to throw my hair up in a bun, put on a pair of loose-fitting blue jeans, and grab a sweater from my dresser. I slip on a pair of Converse and join him in the living room before we head out for the afternoon.

The Cheesecake Factory is busier than I thought it would be for a Saturday afternoon. We're seated and I scour the menu, finally able to focus on one of the important things in life: cheesecake.

“I hope Drake has been treating you well,” Dad says after we place our orders. I'm taken aback by the comment, my brain is almost paralyzed when he brings him up so suddenly. Then I remember that Drake is my boss, and my dad doesn't know anything about us sleeping together. It's a harmless comment.

“I rarely see him. He's always so busy with something in the office, and I'm forever focused on cooking,” I busy myself folding the paper napkin from the straw over and over again to avoid looking him in the eye. I hate this feeling. My dad is one of my best friends, and lying to him is tearing a hole in my chest.

“That's good,” he says, nodding and grabbing the folded wrapper from my hands and unfurling it. “If he does anything to upset you, tell me, and I'll rough him up if I have to.”

Oh, I have no doubt you will. That's the problem.

“You'll be the first to know,” I laugh, hoping it deflects from my nerves. I change the subject to his business to take the attention off myself. He talks about how it's doing, rambling on about some problem clients and how one of his new personal trainers has been sleeping with a reality star who is in a very public relationship with a musician. He won’t tell me who because he’s sworn to secrecy, and he knows I’ll tell Callie, who will tell the world.

Our food is served, and I eagerly turn my attention to a plate of chicken alfredo as Dad slices into his steak.

“You have no idea how proud of you I am,” he says after a few moments, smiling warmly. He reaches a hand across the table to hold mine, pride visible in his eyes. “When you told me you wanted to go to culinary school, I was worried that you might end up working in some crappy dive bar, but you proved me wrong. You've got an incredible job, and I know this will lead you down a good path.”

I feel so bad hearing him praise me for my success at this job when there’s a chance I was only offered it because Drake wanted to sleep with me. I don't want to think that's the case because he didn't initially like me, but the thought has crossed my mind.

“Thanks, Dad,” I say, squeezing his hand. The more he looks at me, the more the guilt drags me to the ground, and I feel the need to come clean.

By the time lunch is over, I'm sweating through the sweater I'm wearing and more than happy to leave the restaurant. I manage to distract from the focus my dad puts on me by blasting some new music on the radio and forcing him to listen. Whenever a song comes on that he doesn't like, he turns down the radio and starts telling me about real music. Apparently, Sabrina Carpenter isn't real music. I love the guy, but he’s not with the times.

“Thanks for lunch, Dad,” I say, hugging him while he's still in the driver's seat, telling him that he does not need to walk me to the door.

“Stay in touch, Booger,” he says, rustling my hair as I pull away. “I don't want to have to hear about major life events through your friends anymore.”

“You got it,” I say, hopping out of the car.

I wave goodbye and rush across the small lawn to the front door and lean my back against it as soon as it's closed. I take a few deep breaths to try to calm my nerves. “I'm going to get through this.”

“Get through what?” Callie asks, perking up on the couch and staring at me with confusion. I jump, not expecting her to be here on a Saturday.

I have to tell someone. The guilt of what I did is too strong for me to go through this alone. Callie is a good person to ask for advice.

Today has already been long enough, though, and I know the only person I should talk to about this is Drake. I don't know how much longer I can keep the secret from my dad, and I might have to warn him.

10

Drake

Olivia is on my mind all weekend, and I’m excited about Monday morning and the chance to see her again.

I looked her up on social media and saw some of her pictures, but nothing does her justice.

All weekend, I wanted nothing more than to hold her in my arms and brush her sandy blonde hair behind her ears while kissing her.

When I get to the office, she's not in yet. I'm a little surprised by that considering I'm running late, and part of me worries she might not come back.

We crossed a line on Friday, and I should have known better than to sleep with an employee. There are countless Human Resources policies in place to ensure things like this don't happen.

On top of the HR violations and the publicity scandal I would no doubt be under if the media caught wind of our indiscretion, my business is new. A scandal could ruin my business. Nobody wants to invest in a company where the CEO is accused of sexual harassment.