My Bestie's Dad Likes Me Wet-Chapter 63 Freedom

LENA POV

I’m actually happy to see my bestie after she’s been gone for a while. I really am.

If it were up to me, we’d be curled up on my bed right now, gossiping about her mystery man, laughing until our stomachs hurt, and sharing our favorite snacks like old times.

But I can’t. Especially not today.

Because Sandy, my dad’s girlfriend, has promised to help me save the man I love.

My Man.

Tyler.

My Tyler.

Everyone thinks he’s guilty of things he could never do but they don’t know him and I know him.

I feel him.

And Sandy, sweet and sisterly Sandy, said she believes me. She said she’d help me clear his name, and for the first time in weeks or even months, I actually feel like I’m doing something that matters. Finally helping someone I genuinely love in a way that matters.

So why, then, does Nova freeze up the second I mention it?

Her face drains of color like I’ve just told her someone died. She blinks too fast, breath stuttering.

Strange. What’s that about?

Isn’t she supposed to be happy for me?

Sandy already warned me that one of my friends was a little jealous, she said some girls can’t stand when they’re not the center of attention and while I trust her motherly concerns, I still trust my girls. I’ve known Nova too long to think she’d ever turn on me.

Still, her reaction feels off..... it’s off.

"Wh–where are you going?" Nova’s voice trembles. She looks genuinely terrified, eyes wide like she’s staring at a ghost.

I frown, trying to keep things light.

"To save my man, duh. Nova, get a grip. You’re scaring me."

I give her a small shove on the arm, laughing a little. She can be so dramatic sometimes.

"Your man?" She repeats slowly, voice tight. Why is she acting slow?

"What’s wrong with her?" I mutter to others in the room.

"She means Tyler," Katie pipes up without looking up from her iPad, sarcasm dripping from her tone.

And just like that, I see a flicker of relief in Nova’s face and it’s like she’s been holding her breath for hours. Weird. Very weird.

I shake it off, grabbing my portable suitcase from the corner. My hands are trembling slightly from either nerves or excitement or both.

And there was only one way to distract myself which is by reapplying my lipstick, blending it into a perfect ombré shade. When I meet Sandy’s gaze in the mirror, she gives me that soft, approving smile that always makes me feel seen.

I can’t remember the last time I had that, an intentional woman figure who looked out for me.

"You’re going to Texas with her?" Nova points at Sandy like she’s accusing her of a crime.

"Why not?" I ask, blinking. "You’re being weird, Nova." My tone softens, but I can’t quite hide the edge.

"Is she safe?" Nova asks next, voice small, like she’s asking something that hurts her to say.

"Is who safe?" I tilt my head.

"She," she clarifies, eyes darting between us. "Are you safe with her?"

The question lands like an insulting slap.

"What’s that supposed to mean?" My voice rises before I can stop it. "You think I’m not safe with my dad’s girlfriend? Is that what you’re insinuating right now?"

Nova blinks, startled by my reaction and she should damn well be. She’s crossing a line and doesn’t even realize it.

"Lena, has your dad even told you they’re together? Have you... confirmed?" she presses carefully.

I laugh, but it comes out brittle. "Oh, come on, Nova. Sandy’s been my dad’s secretary for years. You know how that story goes. The typical CEO and secretary, classic romance. It’s practically a cliché."

I look at Sandy for backup, but for a second, there’s something strange in her eyes. Fear, maybe. Guilt? No, that can’t be right.

Nova must be rubbing off on me, making me see ghosts where there aren’t any.

"Anyway," I continue, brushing off the moment, "it’s kind of our little secret right now. Sandy said Dad doesn’t want me to know just yet. I know that he’s nervous about how I’ll react. I’m playing along until he’s ready to tell me himself."

"Really?" Katie says flatly, still scrolling. I really want to throw a pillow at her face.

"Yes, really," I reply with exaggerated cheer.

"At least she’s not some girl my age trying to hook up with him. Imagine that, my dad dating someone barely out of college? I’d throw the most dramatic fit of my life, but not before ripping the gold digging whore out of his hands and life of course."

I chuckle, expecting them to laugh, but the silence that follows is thick and awkward.

Sandy’s staring at Nova again and it’s not that she’s glaring, exactly, but she’s intently watching my friend.

Nova looks pale, her hands fidgeting in her lap, pinching the skin between her fingers like she’s trying to ground herself.

What is going on with her?

"The lawyer I want you to meet will be closing soon if we don’t leave now," Sandy says finally, glancing at her watch. Her voice is calm, but there’s something tight underneath it.

"I’m done." I grab my bag, smile wide, and push all the weird tension aside. "We can go."

I turn back to my friends, forcing some normalcy into my tone. "Love you, KayKay. Love you, NoNo." I blow them both a kiss.

Katie waves absently. Nova doesn’t move.

And for some reason, that sticks in my chest. her stillness, the way she looks at me like I’m walking straight into something I won’t come back from.

But I shake it off.

Sandy’s already waiting by the door, perfume trailing behind her like expensive danger.

I follow her out, suitcase wheels rattling softly against the floor.

Freedom, I tell myself.

That’s what this is.

Freedom from waiting.

From helplessness.

From the ache of not knowing if the man I love is safe.

Sandy holds the door open, her smile just a little too sharp around the edges but I’m sure it’s me overthinking things.

"Ready, darling?" she says.

"Always," I answer, stepping into the sunlight.