The house was full. Well, not the house. The backyard was full. None of the people at the party were allowed in the house except Fiona, her best friend and party host, Leon, and his dad, Pete.
Leon had been accepted into law school, thus the party. And Fiona was going to waste her life because she failed a basic accounting class.
That’s why she was in the house, escaping the joy. And drinking a double in the kitchen alone, until the desire to cry passed.
“You don’t seem too happy tonight,” a deep voice said.
She turned from the counter and found Pete standing in the kitchen doorway.
“Sorry, I’m trying hard not to be a downer.”
He came around the island and put his hand on her shoulder. “What’s wrong? The most beautiful girl at the party isn’t allowed to be sad.”
She dipped her head, a faint blush touching her cheeks. “Oh please. I failed my accounting class. Proof that I’m going to fail everything. Like usual.” Like high school algebra and Spanish. She was a big F failure.
“Fiona, you should have come to me for help again.” He helped her graduate high school a year late. Better late than never.
“I thought I could do it myself.”
He put his hand on her chin and tipped it up. “Next semester, we will go over your homework together every day. You are not a failure, you need extra help. That’s okay.”
She sniffled. “Thank you. I couldn’t…”
“You are a bright girl. You don’t believe in yourself. Like how you hid when I called you beautiful.”
“That’s the parent thing to say.”
“There is nothing parental in my feelings.” Pete dropped his hands to her hips and pulled her closer. “Nothing, sweet girl.”
“Pete…” she’d never called him mister in her life.
His hands crept up. “I always loved crop tops on women.” His touch was warm on her belly as he slid across her abdomen. Up up. “Easier to put my hands up your shirt.”
Arousal bloomed under his caress. He cupped her breasts, massaging through the thin bra.
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