CLIO
“You know that internship that I applied for? That one right here in Malibu?” she asked. I remembered which one she was talking about. Lila had applied to a couple of internships at a couple of law offices, one back home and one in Malibu.
She’d gotten the one back home but was denied the one in Malibu, and when that happened, she decided to just take the summer off and hang out at the beach house. “The office called and left me a message yesterday and said that the intern they’d selected changed his mind at the last second.
They wanted to know if I would still be interested. Well, of course I called them right back, but I could never get a hold of anyone, so we’ve been playing phone tag, but that was them. I got it!”
“That’s amazing, sweetheart!” Aidan said, sweeping his daughter into a bear hug.
“That is awesome, Rea, congratulations!” I told her.
She moved partially out of her dad’s embrace and beckoned me over. “Get over here, girl, this is a group hug moment.” Really? I thought to myself. I put a smile on my face and entered the fray, trying my best to get under Lila’s arm, but Aidan’s arm slipped around my waist. I was alarmed at how quickly his touch could take me instantly back to the morning. I’d never had anybody that had had that effect on me.
The man was like catnip, and oh my God, what was wrong with me? I was hugging my best friend and the man whose hand I humped just hours before, who just happened to be my best friend’s father. Could my life get any stranger?
I broke free from the group hug and asked Lila, “When do you start?”
Her smile dropped, and she looked sheepish. “That’s the thing. It was a totally last-minute thing, so they need me the day after tomorrow. It’s four days a week-I’m so sorry, Clio, I know I promised we would spend all of this time together this summer but-”
I waved her off with a dismissive hand. “Lila, don’t worry. This is a big opportunity, and you’ve got to take it. Besides, I’m a grown woman. I can handle myself for a few days out of the week.”
“I know, I just feel bad. I made such a big deal about showing you a good time down here,” she said.
“Sweetheart, Clio is right. This is a huge opportunity for you-one that can’t be passed up. Besides, don’t worry about Clio-I’ll make sure she’s entertained.”
My heart started racing again at Aidan’s words. I’m sure it was only meant to reassure Lila, but it sounded like a dark promise to me.
“Thanks, Dad, you’re the best,” Lila said, hugging her dad. Over her shoulder, Aidan gave me a look that sent my imagination into overdrive.
I’d come down to Malibu to spend a fun-filled summer with my best friend, and instead, I would be spending it passing sex-fueled glances with her dad. What the hell had I just gotten myself into?