The Curvy Girl's Father of the Bride: Dad's Best Friend Age Gap Romance by Adriana French

Author:Adriana French [French, Adriana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-07-15T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter six

Jeremy

Thomas shakes my hand, and then thinks twice before we both go in for a hug. “Thanks for everything,” he says.

“Take good care of my baby,” I slap his back before meeting Gillian’s eyes. “Don’t make me come after you,” I tease.

“No sir.” Thomas nods solemnly and I’m not sure if he knows I was kidding.

“Bye Daddy.” My heart almost shatters at the sound of those two words. She hasn’t called me daddy in years. A lump forms in my throat, but I promised myself I wouldn’t fall apart.

“Goodbye, baby girl.” I brush the flower petals off her hair. It was raining roses minutes ago. “Text me when you’re at the gate, okay?” I peer down at her wondering if this is the last time I’ll get to ask her to do something so simple for me.

What do I know about being the father of the bride? I’m clueless. This day has been filled with so many one and onlys, last chances and first dances, it makes my head hurt. Maybe I should’ve had more kids. Then again, I wasn’t granted the option and I do my best not to wallow in the past.

My eyes are wet but I force a smile and help my little girl, the love of my life climb into the limo with Thomas. Their faces glow with happiness. I’m so, so proud of her, all grown up and in love, but still, a twinge of loss mixes with my joy.

“Bye Dad.” We hold each other’s gaze for a long moment.

“Have fun, sweetheart. You too, Thomas,” I say before closing the door. This is it. My precious Gilly is off to start her new life as a wife.

The limo pulls away, and I physically ache as I watch it grow smaller. I stand waving with the crowd until the car disappears around the bend.

The ceremony was beautiful, everything Gilly ever dreamed of, and the guests were still buzzing about it at the reception. My speech, which I had agonized over, went off without a hitch. Somehow, I put myself in the zone, held it together, and kept my emotions tucked away. I’ve made many speeches in my career—some of them were harder than others, but I didn’t know what difficult was until today. None of those speeches had anything to do with my one and only baby leaving to start a new life.

Unshed tears blur my vision, and I quickly rub at my eyes, forcing back the wave of emotions threatening to spill over. This day is about celebration and new beginnings. I won’t allow myself to throw a personal pity party.

I loosen my tie with a small sense of relief. The official part is over; now, it’s time to let loose and celebrate. Gilly would want that, and truth be told, so do I.

With a last lingering look at the now empty spot where my daughter stood moments ago, I turn and take the path to the reception. The band starts up again and I can hear the crowd cheering.

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