Just One Kiss, Please Daddy

Chapter 19

Livia’s POV

Back then, I never understood why singers and artists and people in general describe heartbreak like it’s something that can kill you. I always scoffed at it, thinking: surely it can’t hurt that much.

But now….

My heart feels like it’s cracking in real time. I can’t breathe. My chest seems to be collapsing on itself, and yet I can’t look away.

The woman is beautiful. Her red hair is styled like mine. She’s wearing a darker dress, a deep maroon color that makes her pale skin glow. Her breasts are pushed up high, bouncing as she trots behind Ford. When they stop in front of Nadine, she presses her cleavage against Ford’s arm, and he looks down to glance at it before smiling warmly at her.

That look they’re giving to each other—they’re no strangers, are they? They have history. They know each other. Sparks are basically flying all around them.

Don’t tell me….

They must be together.

They must’ve been together for a quite some time now.

“Happy birthday, baby,” Ford greets Nadine, giving her a kiss on the cheek and handing her a velvet box. “Don’t open it yet. Wait for later.” He pauses and points at the woman. “This is Madeline Bridger. She’s my date.”

She’s my date.

I need to look away at some point. I need to stop watching to prevent myself from breaking my own heart.

But it’s like watching a train wreck. I just need to know what happens next.

Madeline stretches her hand to Nadine. “It’s good to meet you. You were so little when we were in med school.”

As though things can’t get any worse, Nadine’s eyes widen. “I remember you! You used to get me peppermint candy whenever Mom and Dad said no.”

“That’s me,” Madeline says proudly. “Bring it in, kiddo. This time I have more than just peppermint for you.”

She hands Nadine a small box, and Nadine immediately jumps into her arms.

They look like a happy family.

“Aww, they look good,” Ella says next to me. “Don’t they look so cute?”

I just nod and smile. Nod and smile. If I open my mouth to say anything, even if it’s just to agree, I will cry.

“Thank you so much for coming to my birthday,” Nadine says, then her eyes fine me in the crowd. She motions me to come to her. “Livs, come here!”

“Oh, she’s calling you!” Ella says supportively, helping me move.

But every step feels like stepping closer to the fire. Madeline’s gaze finds me, and she smiles. She looks so warm, so soft. So grown. So perfect for Ford in every single way.

As I get closer to her, I can’t help but note how beautiful she actually is. I can see why he liked her. I can see why he picked her.

Ford is also smiling, but he won’t look me directly in the eyes. I don’t know why.

“This must be Livia,” Madeline says as I get close enough. “She’s the best fried Ford talks about. How are you, honey?”

Her voice is sweet. Sickeningly sweet. She leans in and hugs me, giving me a lungful of her strong vanilla perfume. I almost gag. Not because she feels bad, but because now I can’t stop thinking about the fact that this is what Ford smells when he leans in close to her.

“I’m… I’m fine.” My voice is strained. “How are you? You look very nice.”

“Thank you,” she says. “You look wonderful. So cute and youthful.” She turns to Ford. “Look at them both. They’re so adorable. It’s like you have two daughters now.”

Her words feel like a stab to the chest. One after the other.

“Are you alright?” Nadine asks, leaning closer to me and examining my face. “You went pale. Did you eat? I told you, you should eat, Livs! Is there anything I can get you?”

I start to shake my head. I do feel nauseous. The room feels like it’s spinning.

Nadine hurries to get me something to eat. Meanwhile, Madeline tries to rush me towards a chair. Ford just watches, looking horrified.

Is he even concerned about me?

All that tension between us when he went to see me at home… was all of that real?

Was that all in my head? Was he feeling something too?

Because I could’ve sworn he did feel something.

I could’ve sworn he almost kissed me.

I guess not.

I guess it’s really just in my head.

The realization hits me so hard that tears brim my eyes. It’s followed by another realization: of course it’s my imagination.

Because why would Ford ever feel anything more than fatherly care towards his daughter’s best friend?

I was the only one who made it all up in my head, made it bigger than it really is. Filled in the gaps to put things that would never be there.

I can’t be here anymore.

I can’t deal with the shame.

“Excuse me,” I mutter, racing down the stairs before any of them can say anything.

But to my horror, I hear the all-too-familiar voice following me.

“Hey, Livia, what’s going on?”

It’s Ford.

No, I can’t face him.

I stop at the last step of the staircase, unable to turn around. To make things worse, we’re alone here. Everyone is at the party.

“I just… I don’t feel well,” I murmur. “I need to get going now. It’s also getting pretty late. My parents will be very concerned.”

“But the party just started.” Ford walks around me and stands in front of me. “What’s going on? You’re acting weird.”

He reaches for me. No doubt to do the things he does. Touch my chin and make me look up. Maybe cup my face.

It used to get me so excited, but now it fills me with nothing but dread and embarrassment.

I step back, walking past him.

Ford calls out. “Livia, you know you can talk to me right?”

Talk to him?

How do I tell him that I thought he wanted me just as much as I wanted him?

I close my eyes, feeling a single tear rolling down my cheek.

“I’ll see you around, Mr. Callahan.”