Seducing Daddy's Best Friend

Chapter 1

Riley

I tapped my fingers restlessly on the desk, eyes glued to my wrist watch as the final seconds of Mrs. Lizzy biochemistry class ticked away.

“One, two, three…” I mumbled.

The bell rang. I shot up, slamming my book shut, stuffing it into my bag and bolting for the door.

“Riley, I see you can’t wait for me to leave.” Mrs. Lizzy said, her frown deepening.

I flashed her a quick, unapologetic grin and kept moving. I had never been a fan of her class anyway.

“Hey, Riley!” my best friend Eve called, catching up in the hallway. “You look more excited about the concert than I do.”

“You can say that again.” I replied, checking my watch. “We’re short on time. I still need to change, and the front row will be gone if we don’t hurry!”

“Slow down, Riley, it’s not the first time you’ll be seeing him.”

I dashed down the corridor, ignoring Eve’s protests to slow down. “He’s my celebrity crush, Eve! I need him to actually see me this time, not hidden in the crowd. God, I wish I was taller!”

We burst out of school gates and I hailed a taxi immediately. “Quick stop at home to change, then I’ll meet you and Edwin at the hall. Don’t be late!” I jumped in without waiting for a reply and gave the driver my address.

Leaning back, I pulled out the concert ticket, my thumb traced Karl jade’s picture, I smiled in admiration. I’d waited forever for this concert. “Finally,” the city blurred past the window as I grinned like an i***t.

The taxi stopped at our two-story house. I raced inside, tossed my bag on the sofa, and headed straight to my room. i scanned the outfits in my closet, then my fingers paused on a yellow and blue dress.

“Perfect.”

I held it against myself in the mirror. It complemented my pale blue eyes beautifully. This was the one that would make an impression. I changed quickly, smoothed the fabric, and applied a bold red lipstick. Mom would kill me if she saw it, but I was eighteen and a high school senior, not a child. I let my brown hair fall nearly over my shoulder and grabbed my bag.

I was about to head out when voices drifted from my father’s study.

“Is daddy home?’

It was unusual for him to be home at this hour. Curious, I approached the door, which stood slightly ajar. I froze.

Through the gap I saw Carl Walsh and my heart slammed against my ribs, I gasped, clasping both hand on my lips.

‘It can’t be…’

Tears stung the corner of my eyes as memories crashed over me. Carl was my father’s best friend, the man I’d fallen hopelessly in love with. It’s been five years since he’d left for California to expand his IT Company.

The thirteen year old me had stared at empty taillights as I watched him drove away without a real goodbye. I had felt the worst hurt that day, and was making secret plans to move to California just to find him again.

I pressed closer, tears stinging my eyes. He looked even better, dressed in blue jeans, grey shirt hugging his broad shoulders, his dark brown hair was styled with that signature strand falling over his defined jaw. His deep dimples flashed as he smiled. He hadn’t aged a day.

“Riley, what are you doing?” Mom’s voice startled me from behind.

I spun around, cheeks burning. “Mom…”

“Go greet your father,” she said, already pushing the door open. “His friend Carl is back from California. Don’t stand there like a statue. Show some respect.”

I drew a shaky breath and stepped inside. Dad’s face lit up. “Riley! You remember Carl right?”

I turned to him, forcing my gaze to his. Our eyes met, his golden amber ones locking with mine. Time stopped. That warm, devastating smile spread across his lips, revealing his dimples.

“Yes,” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper. Heat flooded my face. How does he still look like this?

“Last time I saw you, you were so little,” Carl held his hand up to my old height, playfully, then let is grin turn cocky. “Now look at you… all grown up.”

His words were friendly, affectionate, like I was still the little girl he used to bring candy for. My stomach twisted with longing. See me differently. I silently begged. Please.

“Five years wasn’t five days, Carl.” Mom teased and everyone chuckled, but I couldn’t tear my gaze away from Carl, he was dazzling.

“I’ve missed a lot.” Carl said, sipping his brandy, his irresistible smile never fading, “But I’m back to stay now.”

My heart soared. Carl was back to stay? The words echoed like music, my heart stirred up a strong desire at the news.

I barely registered the rest of the conversation. Somehow I excused myself for the concert, my legs felt like jelly the entire way out.

At the concert hall, Eve waved me over. “Finally! Front row’s gone. We’re stuck in the back thanks to you.”

I shrugged, still floating from seeing Carl. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

Eve and Edwin exchanged confused glances. “You were dying for front row earlier. What happened?”

“Nothing,” I brushed past them. “Let’s just go in.”

I hummed along to Karl Jade’s songs, but my mind was elsewhere—on Carl’s smile, his voice saying he was staying. I was only here for the autograph so I can give it to Carl.

When the show ended, I pushed through the lingering crowd toward the meet-and-greet. A staff member noticed my determination and led a small group backstage. Karl Jade entered the room, charming and magnetic up close. When my turn came, I wiped my sweaty palms on my dress.

“Hi, Riley,” he said warmly after I introduced myself. He signed my poster with a grin. “Beautiful name, glad you enjoyed the show.”

We took a quick photo, and I left.

Outside, Edwin joked about selling the autograph at school. I barely let him finish before interrupting.

“See you both at school tomorrow, bye…” I quickly waved at them, jumping into another taxi, clutching the poster like treasure.

When I arrived home, I scanned eagerly for Carl, he wasn’t there. “Dad, has your friend left?” I asked, trying to hide my disappointment.

“Yeah, he had things to do.” Dad replied.

I pouted, turning to head to my room, but stopped when I noticed their serious expression. Mom patted the sofa beside her, gesturing for me to sit. “Riley, sit down, we need to talk.”

I sank onto the cushion, glancing between them as my pulse quickened again for different reason.

“Your father and I have a critical business trip to France, we will be there for three months.”

“Three months?” I echoed, my heart raced in panic. Carl just got back, I can’t leave now.

“Yes.” Dad said. “You won’t be alone.” He gently took my hand, his eyes held mine with careful tenderness. “We’ve made arrangements. You’ll stay with Carl Walsh.

My eyes flew wide open, a rush of electricity shot through me, a mixture of shock and nervous excitement, so intensely my breath hitched.

I blinked. “Carl?”