One Night with my Best Friend’s Dad (Forbidden Kisses #1)

3. Kelly

Chapter 3

Kelly

The hotel ballroom where Piper and Connor are having their reception sparkles like a winter wonderland come to life.

Fairy lights are twinkling overhead, transforming the ceiling into a starry sky. Fake snow dusts every surface, creating the illusion of a frosty December night, despite the calendar insisting it’s late March.

Piper has been obsessed with Christmas since she experienced snow when her family vacationed in Colorado at Christmastime when she was young.

But as the hockey season covers the holiday period, she planned her wedding nearer to the off-season, but everyone still has to abide by her rules—and the reason Christmas songs are playing in the background.

I raise my glass high in the air, joining everyone else in cheering for the newlyweds as they take their seats.

“Can I sit next to you?” a deep voice asks. I know that timbre so well, and imagined him talking to me every day since I left him.

The day after Piper’s engagement. The time we shared more than we ever should have.

I blame myself. Piper saw how my small fascination with her father turned into infatuation. She warned me to stay away. Not only because he was her father, but also because she claimed he wasn’t good partner material.

I never thought that was fair.

I also never expected for Mac to react to what started as harmless flirting.

I should never have gone so far, but it was easy. We’d laughed so much during the runup to the engagement. One week where I stayed with him and Piper. For me, it was the easiest interaction I’d ever had with a man.

I smile. “Of course.”

“Thank you.” He pulls out the chair beside me and takes a seat.

He smiles at me just like he did that night when he offered me his jacket because it was cold as we watched the celebratory fireworks explode in the dark, starless night.

I remember how his fingers brushed over my shoulders as he pushed his warm jacket over my shivering body. And the way his warm breath ghosted over the back of my neck as he wrapped it around me.

I thought he liked me. Piper and Connor stayed in a suite in a fancy hotel, and I was alone with my best friend’s dad. Probably why I was so bold when we got back to his home that night.

And I should have gone to bed…alone.

I should’ve done lots of things.

I should never have held the sprig of mistletoe above my head and asked him to kiss me.

But I did—and now I’m in this mess.

As the reception gets underway, I stare at him. He looks gorgeous in his tuxedo, his hair styled in a way I doubt he’s ever done before.

“Did Piper take you to the barbers?”

He laughs. “You know her so well. Apparently, my previous style wasn’t good enough for the wedding photographs.”

I point to my hair, which is coiffured and has so much hairspray keeping it in place. I’m sure it’ll stay this way forever.

“It looks lovely, but I prefer it down and natural,” he tells me before clearing his throat as he realizes what he is saying.

“I prefer yours the way you normally have it, too.”

“Kelly,” he whispers, his gaze locked on mine. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything’s fine.” My eyes widen in surprise as I wonder why he asked the question.

He takes a deep breath before his hand touches my arm. “Kelly. About the baby—”

“How did you know?” I gasp.

“I noticed you’ve been touching your stomach a lot.”

My cheeks warm as I look down at my plate.

“Were you going to tell me?” he asks.

I nod. “That’s what I needed to talk to you about after the wedding. I didn’t want to spoil your day.”

“So the baby is mine?”

My blood pressure rises a little, but I smile and keep my calm. “As you’re the only man that I’ve ever slept with. I can say with one hundred percent truth that the answer is yes, but—”

“What are we going to do?” he asks, interrupting me as I’m about to go off on a tangent about how I can look after myself and the baby.

“We?”

Mac swallows as he nods. “Yes. We. It’s my baby too, and I want to be in my child’s life.”

“You do?” I breathe. My heart races at the thought of a life with Mac and the baby. “I thought—”

Then I stop talking because he isn’t talking about me, just the baby. My racing heart stutters against my rib cage as my eyes fill with tears. “We can work something out or maybe we should just forget it,” I say. The words leave a bitter taste on my tongue, like ashes from a fire that once burned bright. Like that night.

It hurts to even suggest it, to think about walking away from the man who has consumed my thoughts for months.

But what choice do we have? Piper is his daughter, my best friend. She’s the reason we met, the reason we’re here today celebrating her wedding. How can we betray her trust like this?

Mac’s hand tightens on my arm, his eyes intense as they bore into mine. “Forget Piper.” The deep timbre of his voice reverberates inside me. “We’re having a baby, Kelly. I want to be in our child’s life. I want to be there for you, for both of you.”

My heart leaps not only at his words but also at the fierce determination in his gaze. But even as hope blossoms in my chest, I glimpse Piper across the room. She’s staring at us, her eyes narrow in concern or something else…

I swallow hard, tearing my eyes away from her suspicious gaze. “Piper warned me,” I confess, my voice trembling. “She told me to stay away from you, but I didn’t listen. I couldn’t help myself.”

“It’s not your fault. None of this is your fault. I was there too. I could have stopped what we did.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Why do you think, Kelly? Because I never wanted to. I wanted you as much as you wanted me and when you left me without a word, I was in shock for weeks. I thought we had something special. But I should’ve known. I’m nearly twice your age. Why the hell would you want to be with me?”

Tears lace my eyes. “You wanted me?”

Mac’s jaw clenches. “Yes, I wanted you. I wanted you more than I’ve wanted anyone in my damn life.” He grits out the words. “But I know I’m too old for you, and I’m certainly not good enough for you. But we still need to talk about the baby.”

“Meet me in my room after the reception,” he says, his voice low as he stares at his daughter before returning his gaze to me. “We need to talk properly, without interruptions.”

I nod, my heart races at the thought of being alone with him again. But even as I agree, I know I shouldn’t. My secret will hurt everyone involved.

None more so than me.

But I have to listen to what he has to say. He no longer wants me, but he wants to be in our baby’s life, and I can’t take that away from him.

But what will he want to work out?

Mac’s hand slips from my arm, and he stands to leave. I can’t help but watch him go, my heart aching—longing for the love I thought I found in him and the fear I have at hurting those around us.

I suck back a sob as a wave of anxiety washes over me.

But I’m saved by the sound of a glass clicking. I glance up to see Oliver standing beside Connor with a piece of paper in his hand.

I’ve never been so glad for a distraction.

I focus on Oliver, Connor’s best man, as he clears his throat and unfolds the piece of paper.

“Alright, folks, gather ‘round,” Oliver says, his voice booming through the reception hall. “It’s time for me to embarrass our groom a bit.”

The crowd chuckles, and I smile, despite the turmoil in my heart.

“Now, I’ve known Connor since we were both rookies on the ice,” Oliver begins, a mischievous glint in his eye. “And let me tell you, this guy’s always been a bit of a puck hog.”

Laughter ripples through the room, and Connor mock-glares at his friend.

“But seriously, Connor’s dedication to the game is unmatched. I remember this one time, we had a big game coming up, and Connor was so focused on practicing his slap shot he forgot to put on his pants before leaving the locker room.”

The room erupts in laughter, and I can’t help but join in. Connor’s face turns beet red as he yells, “That’s a lie!” But he’s grinning from ear to ear. "We all did it to see who'd last the longest in the cold."

"Don't believe him, folks." He turns to the bride. “And Piper,” Oliver continues, “I hope you know what you’re getting into. Living with Connor is like living with a human Zamboni. He’s always cleaning, always perfecting, always smoothing out the rough patches.”

Piper yells. “I know!”

Oliver smiles as he continues, “But I guess that’s what makes him such a great player...and an even better friend.”

Oliver’s voice softens even more, and I can see the genuine affection in his eyes.

“Connor, buddy, you’ve always had my back on the ice, and I know you’ll have Piper’s back for life. You two are perfect together, like a well-executed power play. So here’s to the happy couple.” He lifts his glass higher. “May your love be as smooth as freshly resurfaced ice, and may your life together be filled with hat tricks, I mean babies, and victories!”

The room raises their glasses in a toast, and I join in, pushing aside my worries for a moment to celebrate my best friend’s happiness.

I glance at Piper as she grins when Connor kisses her lips before he grabs the microphone and announces. “Hopefully, we’ll make one of those many babies tonight.”

“Connor!” Piper admonishes.

I can’t help but laugh, as do the other guests.

I stroke my stomach again, knowing this baby is going to change everything. Piper especially.

I know she’ll be angry when she finds out I had a one-night stand with her father, and although I don’t want to lose her friendship, I have to do what’s right for the baby, because this child deserves both parents in their life.