My Dad's College Friends - Cassandra Dee Page 0,21

by around seven?”

The two men nod, so massive and handsome while sitting on the couch. Their blue eyes are bright, but impenetrable, and as I let myself out of the store, I know what Ryan and Reese are thinking. Michael’s going to have a fit, but that’s just the price we have to pay.

9

Reese

Ryan and I drive ourselves crazy wondering how dinner tonight is going to go. We’ve known Michael for over twenty years, but how he was going to react is anyone’s guess. I know that if it were me, I would be extremely pissed if my two best friends decided to sleep with my little girl.

But it wasn’t just about the sex, although that was amazing. We honestly want to have a relationship with Amelia. How could we not? She’s a beautiful, smart, loving woman and we’re honored that she was willing to give such an unconventional relationship a chance.

Dressed in perfectly tailored suits, we pile into our SUV and head over to the dinner that could very likely change our life. How this ends is anyone’s guess. I’m just hoping that there isn’t any physical violence. Mike is a great guy, but this kind of news … well, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Ryan and I were quiet on the drive over, both lost in our thoughts on how this dinner was going to play out. I see him flexing his hands on the steering wheel, the knuckles going white.

Turning to look at me, Ryan shoots me a sideways look.

“Bro, don’t worry so much. While we would love to be in a relationship with Amelia and continue our friendship with Michael, if neither of those things happen, we’re still going to be okay because we always have each other. Right?”

I shake my head.

“I’m not sure. I really want to be with Amelia. She’s the first woman we’ve found in a very long time who seems to fit the bill. We’ve been waiting years, and it feels like this is our only chance.”

Ryan nods grimly.

“Yeah, but I just don’t want you to get your hopes up too much. You know Mike, and how bullheaded he can be. Let’s just see how this plays out, okay?”

Nodding my head, we pull up to the MacKinnon house before getting out of the car and heading up the walkway. Taking a deep breath, I ring the doorbell. Needless to say, I’m not exactly looking forward to this dinner.

Michael answers the door and laughs when he sees our suits.

“Coming back from a funeral I didn’t know about?”

I shake my head and try to pass it off.

“Not at all. We wanted to look our best to meet with the world’s greatest poker loser. Show him the proper respect he deserves.”

Slapping my back, Michael steps back as he chortles, “Whatever. Come in, jackass. Amelia is just finishing up cooking, and then we can eat.”

As we walk in, we’re met by the most enticing scent. I literally stop in the foyer, it’s so delicious. Mike sees how we’re struck by the aroma, and chortles again.

“Amelia’s making Chicken Amore. It’s hands down my favorite dish, so you can imagine how happy I am she decided to make it tonight. Who am I kidding? I love everything my daughter whips so. She definitely inherited Cindy’s cooking ability because I know that I am a horrible cook.”

Ryan chuckles and says, “Bro, that’s putting it lightly. I can’t remember how many times you sent us to the student health clinic for eating your food. We learned really quick to refuse any meals you offered us.”

“I wasn’t that bad, was I?”

Without pause, Ryan and I say in unison, “Yes, you were.”

It just causes Mike to chuckle again, his bald head gleaming under the overhead lights.

“Whatever. You could have at least lied to make me feel better.”

I remind him, a bit darkly, “You know we’re not those kinds of friends.”

Laughing as we head into the dining room, Michael grabs a chair as he says, “Thank God. But what have you guys been up to? Did you hear Old Joe is on the outs with his wife? The old lady seems to think that he’s spending too much time playing video games, and wants to kick him out.”

We spend the next few minutes catching up while we wait for Amelia to finish up dinner. Finally, the conversation turns to Amelia’s Burger Heaven application. Michael asks, “So are you guys going to hire my little girl for the waitress position? I