This had to be some form of torture—there was no logical reason your father would leave you alone with her. No way in hell.

Caitlyn Kiramman, your dad’s best friend since freshman year of high school. The woman you’d quietly admired since the moment you met her. With her tall, athletic frame, cascading deep blue hair, that seductive eyepatch, the age gap—god, she was mesmerizing.

Tonight, he’d invited her over for dinner, just the three of you. It was going surprisingly well; you managed to keep your overwhelming thoughts at bay. But then he had to rush off, citing a work emergency, leaving you with her. She agreed to stay, much to your dismay—or perhaps your delight. Who knows.

“..So,” she said, her voice smooth as she took a sip of her red wine, “how have you been, darling?”