My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 51 Pre-wedding Jitters

Evelyn

The music enveloped us, a cacophony of sound as people bustled about, dancing, and indulging in the evening's drinks. I must admit, my dad had an extraordinary circle of acquaintances, though some might argue they were closer to being outright lunatics. The guest list for the wedding seemed to be expanding by the day, partly due to Clara and me.

However, my current concern wasn't the growing number of guests; it was my dad, who appeared to be drowning in a sea of distress.

A damsel in distress-what's the male version of that? I couldn't say for sure, but I could Google it later.

"I can't believe you're nervous," I said, pretending to be disappointed. "This isn't your first time tying the knot."

"Hey, just because I've been married once before doesn't mean I have no right to feel nervous now. Stop giving me that look!" He downed another shot of tequila. "I might be getting married for the second time, but it's still marriage. The feeling remains the same."

"So what? Are you going to get cold feet, and I'll have to snap you out of it?" Jacob raised an eyebrow, leaning against the bar. His judgmental stare and incredulous expression made it clear that he found the idea ridiculous, "I'm not buying your reasons. You better show up at the venue."

"Of course, I'll show up. I love her, and I haven't come all this way for nothing. I want to spend my life with her," he spoke up, his eyes darting between us, his expression a mixture of determination and the jitters. He stood there, in the midst of it all, with me and Jacob on each side, downing liquors as if he were a character in a movie a typical cliché of a nervous groom, "I'm just afraid that things might take a nosedive after the wedding. You see, right now, Clara and I are perfect. Absolutely flawless. Yes, we have our disagreements, but we always make up. But what if that changes after marriage? What if we drift apart, and things go downhill?" His words softened my gaze.

I knew exactly what he was getting at he feared another failed marriage. How could he not, after the heartbreak of the first one?

Jacob and I exchanged glances before I spoke, "Dad, nothing is going to go wrong. Trust me. I understand your nerves, but you have to understand that you and Clara found each other in the darkest of times. From here on out, everything will only get brighter. She loves you, flaws and all, and I know you feel the same way. So, why worry when you're ready to weather any storm together?"

Dad blinked twice upon hearing me as if he couldn't quite believe what he had just heard. As expected, he responded with his usual touch of

nonsense.

"When did you become so sensible?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

There he went, steering the conversation in a completely different direction. I can't believe him!

Jacob burst into laughter but quickly stifled it, pursing his lips and turning his gaze away. No doubt, he and I would have a conversation about this later.

"I'm pouring my heart out here, and that's your response?" I said, my jaw tight with frustration.

"Well, sorry," he shrugged, unruffled. "It's just the first thing that popped into my head when you started talking."

"Dad! Please, be serious. We're having an important discussion here!"

"Fine, I'm sorry," he sighed, relenting. "But no matter what you guys say, I still have doubts about this marriage. I mean, Clara and I could stay like this, happy and uncomplicated. That way, things wouldn't go wrong... again," he added, the last part almost as an afterthought.

"Dad, both of you made the decision to get married," I reminded him. "You have to move on. Mom has moved on; she's not letting the burdens of her past relationship ruin her present. Why are you fixating on the things that could go wrong?"

"Maybe because I don't want another failed marriage?"

"Well, that's no secret, but that's not what I was asking."

Just as Dad was about to respond, Jacob stepped in. "Hey, Samuel. Listen to me."

Dad turned his gaze toward Jacob, who continued, "Just answer this one question: Do you love her or not?"

"Dude, is that even a question to ask?" Dad looked at him incredulously.

"Just answer me, do you love her or not?"

What is he up to? Well, let's see.

"Of course, I do, man. I love her more than I've ever loved anyone before."

"And you know she wants this marriage, right? You know it would make her happier to have a ring on her finger and be by your side rather than just standing beside you, right?"

A sigh escaped my dad's lips, and his gaze softened as he looked at Clara, who was engaged in conversation with some guests in the distance. She caught his eye and flashed him a small smile. His response flowed naturally, "Yes, it would make her happier than anything else in this world."

They were already melting my heart. If this conversation didn't convince him, I'd drag Dad's arse to the wedding venue myself.

"Then what's the first thing you do for the one you love?" Jacob asked, a smile spreading across his lips.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Dad fell silent for a few seconds before a smile finally broke on his face, "You make them happy."

"Then, you know what to do. Make

her happy and go for it, buddy. The mistakes of the past can't be undone. You and Danica were young, naive, and still figuring yourselves out. Mistakes often

happen at that age, but now you

клостно

sure

know who you are, Samuel. I'm she brings out the best in you, and you should do the same for her. So, let go of your concerns and go for it." He patted Dad on the back and handed him a shot. "This should be the last one for the night. Go to her; I'm sure she can sense your nervousness and is probably freaking out inside."

"Oh, of course, she does," Dad chuckled. "She's asked me twice already."

"Then what the fuck are you still doing here? Just go!" I looked at him wide-eyed. "Jacob's right, you know that."

"Okay, I'm going," Dad said, getting off the stool and quickly downing the shot. "But you, I don't want even a drop of alcohol in your system. You are not allowed to drink."

For once, I didn't argue with Dad. Instead, a smile found its way to my lips. "Okay. Now go."

"I've got your word, young lady. Do not cheat," he warned before walking away, heading toward Clara. I watched as he approached her and whispered something into her ear, causing a radiant smile to break across her face.

God, they were adorable!

"You never smile at me that way," Jacob's voice came after a few seconds, causing my attention to shift and settle on him.

"What?"

"You heard it correct. I've never caught you looking at me that way. So does that mean I have less of a place in your heart?"

It wasn't difficult to see that he was trying to tease me, though he did make an effort to sound serious, so I'd give him that.

"What do you think?" I raised an eyebrow, smirking. "It could be that I'm just pretending and taking advantage of you, couldn't it? I'd say the chances aren't so slim."

A flicker of something new crossed his face, the green irises sparking though they failed to hide the surprise beneath them. But then a smile curled at the corner of his lips, a sexy one indeed.

"Someone taking advantage wouldn't care so much," he leaned closer, seemingly oblivious to the few glances we garnered, "And your eyes, Evelyn... they say a lot more than you do."

Damn, he certainly knew how to maintain his composure and exude confidence at all times. There was something irresistibly attractive about that confidence, and even more intriguing was how he managed to see things as they truly were.

"You are... quite something."

"Say something I don't know, baby,"

he chuckled dryly before taking a sip of his drink. He shifted his gaze away, appearing so casual yet undeniably sexy, making me yearn to drag him away, to my room and fuck him. The mere thought of our deal tonight was enough to send a wave of heat coursing through me.

"Maybe I will.....tonight,” I shrugged, a smirk playing on my lips as I watched him pause, his eyes fixed on me.

"I'm starting to think you have a thing for keeping me on the edge," his voice was dry, composed, and controlled, but it revealed the intense desire that simmered beneath the surface. Simultaneously, it hinted at the intentions he might have already formed in his mind for tonight. "It won't end well for you every time."

"Trust me, I'm aware of that. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to join my friends," I winked at him, grabbing my drink and waving in his direction before walking away. I headed over to Nancy and Mason, who were at the bar on the other side of the hall.

God, I swear, I could feel his intense gaze burning holes into my skin the entire time.