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"Birthday girl?" My dad said as he walked into the living room.
We both froze, and Daddy shifted the conversation before my dad could ask more questions. They started a long and boring conversation about sports, and I tuned it out as I walked around the large apartment.
I couldn't believe I was starting Northern in two days, but the most unreal thing about all of this was Daddy paid my tuition in full for the next four years. I cried when he told me, and so did my dad. It took me a few days to process it, and I went through two boxes of tissues the night he surprised me with the news. Education was important to Daddy, and he understood our twenty-year difference. Not wanting me to sacrifice my dream school, he bought a condo in Stonebridge to stay close for the next four years. He also declined any major construction jobs more than five hours away from me.
A knock on the door broke me out of my haze, and an older lady stood with a small welcome basket and a key. Daddy introduced us to her, and she outlined the amazing amenities the apartment building offered.
"Damn, sweet pea. You're going to be living better than any other student at Northern this year."
"Only the best for our girl." Daddy chimed in.
The luxury apartment sat two blocks from the Northern campus, and although freshmen weren't allowed to stay off campus unless they lived at home, Daddy stepped in and they made an exception.
I turned on my heels and locked my arms between both of theirs. "I'm starving." I gave a small pout and looked down at my belly.
"She's going to put you in the poor house." My dad raised his hands in the air and shook his head. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
Daddy pulled me into his chest and placed a kiss on my forehead. "She's worth the risk."
* * *
She was practically family, but that didn’t stop me from wanting her….
Jace
Picking up Paisley to head to our family's annual week-long camping trip was nothing new. I’ve done it a million times, but this time was different.
I should have known the buried emotions between us would come crawling to the surface the moment she walked up to my truck.
Our hug was longer than usual, our stare lingered for more than a few seconds, and my heart was beating just a little bit too fast.
We had a nine-hour drive. Nine hours alone. Nine hours for me to try and keep it together although I was desperately slipping as the seconds passed.
Paisley was off limits, forbidden, a big red f*cking nope, but damn; I’ve never been good about following the rules, no matter the consequences.
Wanting her would mean tearing our family apart, but maybe loving the one woman I couldn’t stop thinking about was worth the risk.
