Heading straight to the shower, I allow the water pouring on my back to wash the morning away. I put on a false bravado talking back to my father and pretending I'm not scared, but the truth is I'm terrified.

I knew it wouldn't be easy seeing him again after so long, but I hate that he still gets to me. And to make things worse, I had Tyler witness me having another emotional meltdown.

For once, I wanted to be a normal twenty-five-year-old, enjoying life and having fun with a cute guy. But of course, reality had to come crashing my party, reminding me how crazy my life can be.

When the water starts running cold, I turn off the shower and wrap myself in a towel. I still have a couple of hours before I need to be at the bar. So, knowing that keeping it all inside will only make me feel worse, I text Kayla, hoping she can meet for a quick coffee down the block.

Thank God, she agrees and soon we are sitting in a booth with our drinks in front of us.

"What happened, Andie?" she asks when it's just us.

"Marcus got into a fight with our father." I shudder, my throat working on a swallow before I open up about the last events.

"Whoa! Hold on a second." She jerks her head back. "You're telling me Phillip and Marcus got physical. You and Tyler kissed, then he offered to help you get Philip's place to get Marcus's stuff. You learn Tyler is recently divorced. And, you lied to Philip by saying you have a compromising medical report from a couple of years ago?"

"And I also got promoted to bar manager. I start in three weeks." I nod, taking a sip of my coffee to wet the dryness in my mouth.

"I'm... Wow! I don't know what to say. I mean... I can talk to the farm's lawyer and see if he can recommend someone who can assist you and... You Tyler kissed? How was it? I'm... You never kiss anyone!"

"Hey!" I look around, making sure no one can listen to her. "It's not like I don't kiss anyone..."

"When was the last time you kissed someone?" She rolls her eyes, and I look at her annoyed. Of course, that's the part she'd fixate on.

"Kay, I think my love life is the least of my problems right now."

"Right! Tell that to your vajayjay." She types something on her phone before holding it to her ear.

"Seriously–"

"Hey Stuart, it's Kayla."She waves me off, focusing on whoever is on the other side of the line. "How are you doing? That's great to hear. I'm doing well too. Look, I was wondering if you could recommend me to a family lawyer?" She winks at me, briefly explaining to this Stuart guy my situation.

Leaning on my chair, I keep my eyes on her as she easily talks to this man. I can't help but envy how collected and confident she sounds, and how simple she makes it all be.

"All done." She hangs up. "He knows a guy in his office that's perfect for these kinds of situations. I'll text Stuart your info and he'll hook you two up. Now Tyler? How did--"

"Wait! Does he think I have a chance of getting Marcus's custody? How much does he charge?" I hold both of her hands, feeling a mix of hope and apprehension.

"Stuart sounded optimistic, but that's not his field of expertise. But hey? You needed a lawyer. We got one. You also have a good excuse with that medical report thing that we'll keep your dad away for a while. Now, let's focus on your pretty self for a while, shall we?"

"What if I can't afford this lawyer?" My eyes widen at the thought, and Kayla squeezes my hand, bringing me back to the present.

"Sweetheart, I understand you're worried. But you're overthinking your way through all of this. Let's see what this guy will say first, okay?"

"You're right." I take a deep breath. "I just... I keep waiting for my father to come after me and Marcus, you know?"

"He's not stupid, Andie. If he truly believes you have a medical report, he'll think twice before coming after you."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." I nod, and she kicks my foot under the table with a little grin on her lips.

"So...?" she drags the word, making me chuckle. I know she's dying to know about Tyler, but I need to know something first.

"Did you know Tyler is a professional MMA fighter?" I ask.

"Not just a professional one, sweetheart." She smirks, her eyes gleaming. "He's the freaking Global Combat champion."

"And you didn't think about sharing that part with me when we met him at the nightclub?" I ask, feeling like a fool for not knowing.

"What? And spoil all the fun?" She laughs, making me snort. "But, in my defense, I didn't know you'd be kissing him that day. I thought we'd just check out the self-defense classes and all the hot guys at his gym."

"Well, I didn't expect it either, but... I don't know, Kay. There's just something about him that pulls me to him and makes me forget where I am."

"And if the way he was looking at you at the club that night is any indication, I bet he feels the same way about you." She smiles, her eyes studying mine.

"He just got divorced, Kay." I look down, pushing the hope we could be together away. "Plus, we come from totally different worlds. I'm sure he's rich and has his life figured out. While I'm here trying to take one day at a time and already failing miserably."

"Stop doing this". She cuts me off, a frown on her face. "You have done for yourself and Marcus more than many people twice your age. And what if Tyler's divorced? People get divorced all the time."

I shrug, remembering the look in his eyes when I told him I couldn't get involved with anyone right now. I confess I was a hot mess when he drove me home, but now that I've had time to calm down, I wonder if I did the right thing. "I told him I'm not ready for a relationship," I say.

"But who's talking about a relationship? You're twenty-five, Andie. You have years ahead to think about a relationship. I'm talking about having some fun; about enjoying the company of a guy who's clearly into you."

A flush works over my cheeks. "I don't know... You know I'm a... You know..."

"What? A virgin?" She waves me off. "Who better to take your v-card than a guy as hot as Tyler?"

"Stop making it so simple." I laugh, throwing a napkin at her. Kayla can be blunt sometimes, but I know everything she says and does always have my best interest in mind.

"But it is simple." She rests her elbows on the table, focusing on me. "Tell me again why you've never had sex?"

"You know why." I shrug, tracing the rim of my cup. "I just... I haven't found a guy who makes me want to do it."

"And how did Tyler make you feel when he kissed you again?" She smirks, making me sigh.

"Like I was ready for... for..." I bite my lower lip, unable to admit the truth of how Tyler makes me feel. He looks at me like he knows me; like he gets the girl behind all the mess.

"He made you hot, right?" She laughs. Of course, her mind had to go there.

"What if he did? I just told him I'm not ready for a relationship. Besides, I can't just say: Hey, Tyler, let's have sex since you're the only guy able to make me feel hot enough to do it."

"I'm just saying..." She starts, but the ring of my phone interrupts her.

"It's Tyler." I look at her with wide eyes. My heart is trying to beat its way out of my chest, and I swear to God I feel like an awkward teenager all over again.

"Talk about signs..." she murmurs right before I press answer on my phone.

"Hey," I answer, making Kay wiggle her eyebrows.

"I'll be there with your car in ten minutes," Tyler says, making me frown. I thought he'd be asking someone to bring my car, so it definitely takes me by surprise.

"Uh, sure." I quickly undo the bun on the top of my head, running my hand through my hair. "I'm having coffee with a friend down the block. I'll wrap things up here so I can meet you in front of my building soon."

"Sounds good. See in you ten." He hangs up, and I have no option but to meet him again.

____

A/N: I have a good feeling about them meeting again. What about you?

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XOXO

Celeste