Crushing On My Dad's Best Friend

May

How could something that feels so right be so wrong?

My Dad’s best friend.

I mean. I don’t think it’s wrong, but I don’t know if he feels the same way.

I guess I should start at the beginning….

Before graduation, I thought the funny feelings I got whenever I thought about my Dad’s bestie were just a crush.

Innocent enough and no surprise if you’ve ever seen Brandon.

The man’s a god.

But what I think I hear him tell me the day I graduate shocks me to the core. And my little crush turns into a maddening obsession as I begin to wonder.

Did he really say what I think he said as he hugged me in congratulations?

Six months later, and today will be the first time he lays eyes on me since that day. And I just know I didn’t imagine things.

At least, I hope I didn’t.

He’s gonna be coming to town, staying for a bit. I can’t wait, and neither can my Dad.

But both of us want to see Brandon, but for very different reasons.

I mean, a crush on my Dad’s best friend is one thing. But actually, falling for him?

It’s okay, I tell myself.

It’ll only be for a day or two. It’s not like the guy’s moving next door or anything.

Right?

Brandon

Steve’s only daughter graduated from college. My god, how time flies.

I used to bounce her on my knee, but with my growing security business, I moved away from the sleepy little town we both grew up in.

I only saw him and his daughter whenever I wasn’t working, which wasn’t very often, and when we did catch up, May usually stayed with friends.

So when I make a point of being there for her college graduation, for Steve’s and May’s sake, I have to pick my jaw up off the floor.

Little May’s all grown up now.

And that dress she wears under her gown shows me that she’s not a kid anymore.

It’s like she’s a totally different person.

An adult, even though she is half my age.

But Jesus. That figure and that dress.

And when it’s my turn to give her a congratulatory hug.

I can’t help myself.

I tell her something I probably shouldn’t. But the way she looks and feels when I do say it.

I just know that she’s gotta be mine.

I don’t know how and I definitely don’t know when. But I’d crawl on broken glass for a year just to have her in my arms one more time.

So when the place right next door to my best buddy Steve is up for sale, it’s a no-brainer.

I’m moving cross country.

Simple.

Right?

It all just happens so fast. My original plan to go slow and take my time with May is blown right out of the water.

It catches both of us by surprise but in the best possible way.

And to make matters more complicated, it means I’ll have to keep everything from the only person I’ve ever really trusted.

My best friend. May’s dad, Steve, my best friend.

I don’t want to have to choose between them, because it’d be the easiest decision I’d ever have to make.

Sorry, Steve.

But I think that daughter of yours belongs to me now.