One night stand with my daddy's best friend
99

Dane

Bridget was out again today, and I was sick about it. I handled things wrong with her. Her being Troy's daughter changed everything, but I could have dealt with it better. Maybe if I did, she'd be at work. Then again, maybe she really was sick. She had come to work after the disastrous birthday party at her parents' house. If she was going to hide from me, she would have done it from the start. So she must be sick after all.

The idea that she was suffering nearly brought me to my knees. I wanted to go to her. I tried to figure out if I could stop by as a concerned boss to check on her. But I was terrified that Troy would ferret out my true feelings for Bridget. I was in love with my best friend's daughter.

There wasn't a worse situation than this especially since there was nothing that I could do about it.

All week, I'd gone over ways she and I could work things out in my mind again and again. Every time I came up empty. There was no getting around the fact that she worked for me and was Troy's daughter.

Even if I stepped down from the job, which I would do in a minute, Troy would never approve of us. I couldn't come between him and his daughter. Besides, she was young. Eventually, she'd meet someone closer to her age, fall in love, get married, and have a family with him.

A knock on my door interrupted my pity party. "Come in." Lane walked in with a paper. "You need to see this."

I took the paper and scanned it. The words hit me like a punch in the gut. "She's resigned." "Yes."

I looked at the letter again. Bridget was professional, stating how she'd found a better offer back in Northern California and wanted to take it. She thanked me for the opportunity and showed appreciation for those she worked with. There was nothing in it to hint at what had been between us. For a moment, I wondered if I'd imagined it.

I looked up at Lane. "Do you know anything about this?"

She shook her head, but there was something in her eyes that suggested she was holding back. She and Bridget were friends. Had Bridget told her about us? No. We'd been clear that no one at work could know.

Still, I couldn't let go of the thought that she knew something. "Did she tell you she was doing this?" I demanded.

Lane straightened. "No. I'm as surprised as you."

Fuck. I sat back in my chair feeling like the rug had been pulled out from under me. Of course, I was the one who pulled it. I'd chosen to stay loyal to Troy. I'd fucked Bridget one last time, in Troy's house for fuck's sake, telling her that when we finished we were done. Who did that shit? Me, apparently.

I stood up and slipped on my coat. "I'm going out." "When will you be back?"

"I don't know." I headed straight to my car with the intention of going to Troy's to talk to Bridget. He had to be at work, so we would be able to talk alone. Maybe I was an asshole, but I deserved to know why she was leaving. Or maybe I didn't, but I wanted one, nonetheless.

The traffic out of downtown was a bitch. I was agitated wishing everyone would get the fuck out of my way.

When my phone rang, I poked the button on my steering wheel to answer it, expecting it to be Bridget with an explanation.

"Hey, Dane, it's Archer." "Now's not a good time." "What's wrong?"

I didn't respond except with a profanity at a Lamborghini that decided to cut me off.

"Dane? Seriously, what's wrong?"

"My life is in the crapper, that's what's wrong."

"Is this about the employee you've been lusting after?"

His question was a reminder that I had talked to him about Bridget before. Maybe I could give him the update. I had to tell someone because I was on the verge of coming apart. "Yes."

"What happened?"

God, where did I start. "I broke the rules. I couldn't help myself."

"That doesn't sound like you. You've never been one to led by your dick."

"It's not just my dick. She's fun and fresh and alive and smart and mouthy." My heart hurt the more I realized I'd never see her again if she left town.

"So what's the problem? Did your dad replace out and fire you?"

"No. It was just supposed to be an affair, you know. I figured we'd burn out. But the more I was with her, the more I wanted to be with her. And then it all came crashing down." "How?"

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! "She's Troy Manion's daughter."

There was a pause. "Aw fuck. That is awkward."

"Awkward? I'm a fucking pervert. I've been sleeping with a woman who is young enough to be my daughter." That part made me feel sick to my stomach.

"Only if you had a kid at eighteen. Come on, man. You can't beat yourself up about the age thing. Cupid works in mysterious ways."

"Cupid is a sadist." I lay on the horn to warn another car away from cutting in front of me.

"Do you love her?"

I gripped the steering wheel with both hands like it was the only thing keeping me from disintegrating into a million pieces. "Yes. But she quit her job and is leaving southern California. I can't decide if she's pissed at me or doesn't feel the same. But I deserve to know."

"Do

you think that's wise? For one, what if her dad is there? Maybe she doesn't want him to know about you two." "He should be at work."

He continued. "Second, if she's pissed, or reeling from the revelation that you're her dad's friend, maybe she needs time."

"She's leaving."

"She's not going anywhere that you can't go to her. You've got to play it cool, Dane. This situation is delicate. It's like the time we had to capture an insurgent in a crowded marketplace. If we messed up, the casualties would have been disastrous. In this case, if you fuck it up, there will be more casualties than just you. You could come between Troy and his daughter. And are you ready to end your friendship with Troy? Then there's your job. Who knows what your father would do when he found out you broke a company policy? Take your time, man. Think it through. Just like a mission, plan it out, consider the obstacles, and tread carefully or you risk losing everything."

Fuck. He was right. I pulled into a shopping center, parking the car. "I know what you're saying is right, but I feel like if I don't act now, I'll lose her for good."

"I guess you have to decide which is more important to you, Troy's friendship or her love, assuming she loves you. I mean, she needs to want you more than avoiding conflict with her father, right?"

I swallowed hard. Why would she take a risk on me when I'd chosen her father over her? How many times had I reached for her and then pushed her away? I didn't deserve her.

"Look, I'm not telling you to let her go, but you need to assess things all around. Figure out what you've got to lose and if you're willing to lose it."

"I don't want to lose her, but I think you're right, she needs time. Hell, maybe I need a little time too. I've never done this, Arch."

"Done what?"

"Been in love. I thought it was supposed to be sweet and nice. But love fucking hurts."

"Yes, it does." He spoke the words softly. He understood my pain. I wondered when he'd loved and lost.

"Thanks man."

"Don't mention it. How about I swing by later with some expensive bourbon. I can tell you why I called. Then we can get drunk and lament on the pain of love."

I'd rather be with Bridget, but that was out of the question. Getting drunk with a SEAL buddy was second best. "Sounds good."

I ended the call and headed back to the office. When I got there, Lane and Ethan were waiting.

"So? What happened?" Ethan asked, following me into my office.

"I didn't talk to her. But it's clear she's quit. How are we on the campaign she was running."

Ethan studied me. “That's it? You're just going to let her go? She was great. What happened that made her want to leave?"

"I don't know what you want me to do Ethan. Beg her to come back?" "Yes. Why not?"

"Because she has a better offer in Northern California." He thought about that. "Maybe she missed her friends."

"Maybe. I need you to take over that campaign." I didn't know where all this CEO-bossiness was coming from. I suppose it was a way to dull the pain. Distract me from the fact that I'd fucked up with Bridget and would likely pay the price for the rest of my life.

He nodded and left my office. Lane stayed back. "What?" I asked her.

"You should talk to her."

"About what?" Maybe she'd tell me whatever she knew about Bridget and her sudden disappearance.

"She needs to know how you feel about her...work."

My eyes narrowed. The way she added the word work, like she was trying to cover up the fact that she was talking about my emotions toward Bridget. That suggested she knew about my affair with Bridget. I wasn't man enough to confirm it. Still, I could let her know the issue wasn't done.

"At some point I will let her know how I feel about her...work."