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A small smile tugs at my lips. "Too late. I saw that sometimes it's needed for bronchitis, which is what she has, so that's what I'm going with and trying not to th
ink the worst."
"See? They're just checking off all the boxes. Given her age, they have to, Aubrey."
"Yeah, okay. You're probably right," I say and lean into hug him.
Daniel strokes my back, his fingers dragging lazily up and down. It feels so good.
"Thanks for trying to soothe me," I say softly. "I'm just worried. Grammy is my everything."
He leans in to kiss the top of my head. After a few minutes of silence, he says, "There's something I want to talk to you about."
His voice is low, serious, and that immediately raises flags inside me. That tone, and statement, means something more. Like a breakup is about to come, or the talk about taking the relationship to the next level. Heart racing, I pick my head up to look at him just as a knock sounds at the door.
"Hold that thought," I say, holding a finger up as I get up to answer it.
My jaw drops, and my heart plummets. Everything inside me lights up at the sight of James standing in front of me. Our eyes lock and for a minute it's just us and no one else. His gaze softens and a grin spreads across his face.
"Everything okay, Aubrey?" Daniel asks from behind me.
James’s gaze lifts, and hardens.
I didn't hear Daniel get up off the couch or walk over to me, but now he's standing behind me with a possessive hand on my hip.
I stare up at James. My body gravitates toward him, igniting my blood, knowing what he's capable of. I've missed him but I didn't realize how much until now. He studies me, and I plead with him to not open his mouth through my nervous gaze. Not that I think he would, but the thought does cross my mind.
"Can I help you?" Daniel asks, because I'm still stupidly speechless.
"Ah, this is James, Natalie's dad," I say, recovering.
"Nice to meet you, sir," Daniel says and extends his hand.
James takes it, but his eyes are on me. I know thoughts are swirling in his head, ones that prickle my skin and make me hyperaware of him. I swallow thickly.
"Would you like to come in? Natalie isn't here right now. I don't know when she'll be back. Aub?" Daniel asks, looking at me.
I open the door wider in an inviting move, only he doesn't come in.
"Nice to see you," James says stiffly.
"Same. Yeah, so she's not here and won't be back until late tonight actually. Did you try to call her?"
Thank God my voice remains steady.
James dips his chin once. "She didn't answer," he says, his interrogative gaze boring into mine. I have a feeling he's referring to me. "I have something important I want to discuss with her and need to do it in person."
My heart is in my throat and it feels like there’s a knot around my neck. "I can tell her tonight when she gets home if you like?"
"Just tell her I stopped by. I'll try calling her again." James looks at Daniel, and I hold my breath. "Nice to meet you."
James turns around to leave, and I shut the door.
"Ready to watch a movie?" Daniel asks, and I exhale, feeling relieved that it hadn’t been as awkward as it felt.
We're sitting back on the couch getting cozy and situated. I raise the remote control to play the movie when Daniel speaks. My stomach is a giant fucking mess now, my thoughts running in ten different directions. I can't focus. In all the years I've lived with Natalie, her dad has never once come by. I panic a little because I know he was really coming to see me.
Daniel, the boyfriend I was supposed to break up with…and didn't.
