Welcome back darling

I came down from the car and stared at the mansion in front of me.

Six years had gone by since the last time I came to Florida. Pulling up to Lydia’s house felt just like it had been so many times before. I had spent so many summers in this home, coming here was like greeting an old friend.

The mansion had tall, white, towering columns lining the porch, accenting the huge archways over the doors. The architecture was unique to her father's taste.

“Oh, my god!" Lydia screamed excitedly. “Look at this place! Dad really did a number on the renovations, didn't he, Nina?"

“Yeah, totally awesome," I replied, glancing towards Lydia, shaking my head.

Thank god she has never been to my parents' house. As much as I didn't want to think Lydia would judge the way I grew up—she would.

Prim and proper was Lydia’s norm. These sorts of luxuries weren't possible for someone like me.

I didn't come from mansions or luxury cars or tight security. My family didn't have yachts and butlers and maids. All of which seemed to tend to any need Lydia could possibly ever have. But it didn't matter to me in the end. I loved the life I lived, and I was grateful to have been able to take part in Lydia’s as well.

How we had become friends I would never understand, but I was grateful to have her. We had been there for each other through a lot, and no matter how much we could irritate each other, we were like sisters.

“I'm starving. I wonder if Dad has a small spread ready for our arrival," she murmured as she grabbed her stuff and glanced at me.

“Ready to get this party started?"

“Sure." Shaking my head with a smile, I watched her move with excitement towards the front door.

The last time I had come here was when Lydia’s parents got divorced. At that point in time, the home was still wildly styled to her mother's taste. So seeing her father's preference brought to life was a refreshing sight.

“Daddy!" She screamed, dropping all of her bags to the floor haphazardly as she moved towards the kitchen.

“I'm home!" She screamed and I groaned.

I wasn't sure why Lydia continued to act like she was five, but at the same time, I was too entranced with the decor to care. Carefully, I sat down next to her while my eyes stared at the ceiling as I spun slowly in a circle, taking it all in.

“Maybe he isn't here," I said as my eyes met hers once more.

“He is here. His car was in the drive, and he told me he had a long meeting. That's why he didn't meet us at the airport and sent his driver instead.

“Whatever”

Rolling my eyes, my face express a smirk as I took a seat on one of the tall vintage barstools.

There was only so much Lydia-drama I could deal with, and considering we hadn't even been here ten minutes, I would say this was a new record. Regardless, though, I didn't want to partake in the conversation she was about to have with him. I already knew where it would go.

“Well," I shrugged, “maybe he took another car?"

It's not like he is short on the money to afford it.

“This is not right!" She screamed out in frustration.

“He was supposed to greet me as soon as I got home."

Ah. There she is! Princess at her finest.

As my eyes cast towards the window in the kitchen, I caught sight of the Adonis-like figure swimming laps in the pool. There was no doubt in my mind who it was....Because I already knew. Mr. Miguel Taylor

Lydia’s father.

“Uh, it looks like he is getting out of the pool," I breathed out, trying to divert my attention.

Fuck!

I felt my heart racing. Fuck!

He was looking more dashing.

“What?" She gasped as she glanced in the direction I was looking. “Swimming instead of meeting me when I walked through the door?"

The disdain in her voice snapped me out of my trance and caused me to roll my eyes.

“I don't understand what the big deal is, Lydia. Who cares? We are here now, and we have an entire summer to enjoy."

She spun to face me; her gaze spoke volumes about her unhappiness. “I know this."

“Sooo?" I shrugged. “Then what's the big deal?"

Crossing her arms, she scoffed, “Because Daddy always greets me at the door. You don't think he has a new woman, do you?"

Laughter escapes me as I stare at her in disbelief.

“Seriously? That's your go-to?"

“Well—" she shrugged in frustration, “I read online that when men change their patterns, it's usually because of a big change... like a new woman."

Should have seen that. It's what happened with Lincoln and I.

I silently noted with a sigh. I couldn't understand her reasoning.

“Would that honestly be a bad thing?"

“Yes!" she shrieked.

“Oh, my god, Nina. That would be like the worst thing ever. If he wants a woman, he can get back with my mom."

Just as she said the words, the sliding glass door opened, and the most attractive man I had ever laid my eyes on stepped through the doorway.

Mr Taylor stepped out and my eyes widened.

God, he is so charming.

No matter how many times I tried to take my eyes off of him, I couldn't. He was far too breathtaking and with droplets of water dripping down across his rippled stomach, all I could do was drool.

Fuck!

Is he getting hotter the older he gets?

God, I want to kiss his abs.

The dirty remark running through my mind caused me to bite my bottom lip as my eyes scanned his body up and down. Maybe run my tongue across his rock hard body even… hell, I'm not picky.

Damn it, Nina. Stop thinking dirty about your friend's dad. What the fuck!

The unbelievable remark running through my mind caused me to hold myself as my eyes could not stop staring at him. No matter how much time passed, I still had the imagination to be around him into the new year. I would do anything to make him happy. I don’t mind, I'm not picky.

“Where were you?" Lydia snapped with disapproval, pulling me from my delicious thoughts. “I expected to see you, and you weren't there. I don't understand."

Confusion passed through his eyes as he stared at her with shock.

“Sweetie, I was busy and that’s why I sent my driver”

“Uh–no," she quipped. “I sent you my flight info, and I texted you. You should have just make up time for me. I’m your only daughter"

She uttered and I couldn’t help but rolled me eyes.

When will Lydia stop acting like a baby?

“I'm sorry, sweetie," he shrugged. “I’ll make it up to you."he said.

Smart man. Smart man.

When it came to Lydia, we both knew how to act. Because if she didn't get her way, you would think World War III was breaking out due to her disregard and meltdowns.

“It's okay," she sighed. “Nina and I are hungry and tired. Can we order food?"

As his eyes slowly slid to me, he furrowed his brow in confusion, “Nina?"

Of course, he doesn't recognize me. “Hey," I smiled, trying not to look down.

This man was really difficult to ignore, and with my nonexistent romance for the past few weeks, I was completely distracted.

Come on now, Nina. Stop thinking weird about your friend's dad. What on earth are you thinking!

“You have grown up a lot, Nina," Mr. Taylor replied, his dark, sultry gaze scanning up and down me.

Oh gosh. Was he checking me out?!

“Yeah." The breathlessness of my response caused me to clear my throat as I quickly averted my gaze, trying to look anywhere but at him. I wasn't trying to be rude, but if this conversation didn't end quickly, I was going to give away my unrealistic thoughts by looking at his charming look.

“So..." he muttered, looking between the two of us.

“What are the plans for summer?"

Before I could even get a word in, Lydia started rambling off about the parties and boating trips she wanted to take. Even though I was her guest, he was already accustomed to the fact we often did things apart.

“And you, Nina?" he asked, bringing me back to the present. “Anything you would like to do?"

Yeah, dreaming about you.

I thought and chuckled at my thought.

“Um. I'm not quite sure yet. Had some rough stuff happen a few weeks back, so kind of looking to relax and enjoy my summer? Then, get back to school for my last year." I smiled, nodding my head as a glint of amusement crossed his eyes.

“Oh, very nice," he said, crossing his arms. “What was your degree again?"

“Statistics and Data Science," I replied as I gazed down at my fidgeting hands.

“She's a math nerd, Dad. You give her anything to do with numbers, and she is quick with a response. Bookkeeping and calculations and all that stuff. Kind of like you."

Lydia’s response caused me to laugh before I cleared my throat, realizing I was finding amusement in her calling her dad a math nerd, basically.

“Something like that," his reply was followed by making a little expression on his face as my gaze met his once more. I didn't understand what was going through his head at that moment, but I was intrigued to find out.

Pulling out her phone, I watched as Lydia replied to whatever text she got while smacking on the bright pink bubble gum she had consumed at some point.

“Oh Lydia, we need to get unpacked. I’m starving already”

She said.

“Oh–okay," I said, not really looking forward to it. “I thought we were going to eat here."

“I can order food," Mr. Taylor said happily as he glanced between Lydia and I.

“No, no," Lydia scoffed. “We are just going to go out."

I felt bad about the situation overall.

Why was Lydia acting all childish?

Even if I loved her dearly, the way she was acting was unacceptable.

“Okay then," he smiled. “It's really nice to have you home, sweetie. I hope we can spend some time together while you're here."

The notion warmed my heart and made me miss my own father. But in true Lydia fashion, she didn't hold the same sweet sentiment I did.

“I'll fit something in," she replied as she made her way towards the stairs. “Can the maid bring our things upstairs, please? I need to unpack and take a shower."

As she disappeared from sight, I shook my head, jumping off the barstool.

“Thanks for letting me stay for the summer, Mr. Taylor. I appreciate it."

His eyes drifted from where his daughter had disappeared to me, and as he looked at me, I couldn't help but feel small under his gaze.

“There is no need to thank me, Nina. Also, will you please call me Miguel?"

Did he just said that?

First name basis? Oh, gosh… Nina, stop, you're reading too much into it.

“If that's what you would like… Miguel," I replied softly, fluttering my eyelashes. “I better get going. I guess I'll see you around."

Raising a brow, his smile never faltered as he nodded, “Oh, you definitely will."

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