It's going on 5 pm, and I'm just finishing my makeup for another shift at The Lux Lounge. The gentleman's club I've been working at since my 21st birthday, so about 3 months and 4 days. I've been saving up to move out of this place. I love my daddy, but I need my own space.

Plus, Daddy is getting remarried in a few weeks, and I'm sure him and Olivia are going to want their own space as well.

Olivia and Daddy met a few years after mom died, I was 16, I think .. He tried to hide it, but I was a smart teenager. It was hard for me, but I grew to love Olivia. After 5 years, they decided it was finally time to tie the knot. To start their family, I guess..

I'm an only child, so honestly, I'd be stoked for a siblings.. A lot of them. Daddy is an investment banker, has been my whole life. Olivia, on the other hand, is a business owner. She owns a nice little boutique, and fashion is definitely her game.

' Emmmma '

I hear Olivia call for me as I grab my bag and head downstairs.

' Emma honey have you eaten, You really should eat before work '

' I ate earlier, but thanks Liv '

They think I work at a fancy bar and grill. They both were very supportive when I said I wanted to pause my schooling and just work for a while. I had a bit of troubling mental health problems going on, and I think they just wanted me happy.

So I packed up all my shit, dumped the guy I was dating, and drove back home. I finally feel refreshed, I love my job, and I love feeling in control of myself. Doing what I actually want not what everyone else wants me to do like I've done my whole life.

I'm in my exotic soft girl era right now, I just wanna live, explore, and be free.

The night at the club is slow but decent. The regulars are usually pretty good. I talk to one of the girls as I'm walking out to my car we say our goodbyes and we're off. It's nearing 2am when I get home. I go to my room and I hop in the shower, I'm so exhausted.

The next few weeks have grown intense as the wedding date is approaching. There's one week left, Liv was adamant about having the reception here, it's August, so she wants a catered pool party reception. I won't complain about that, booze and a pool party sounds perfect.

One thing my mom wanted was a ginormous pool, so that's exactly what daddy got her. Our house is just perfect, big, luxurious, and actually feels homelike. When mom first got sick, she spent most of her time in the backyard/ patio just doing her thing. We haven't changed a thing to this day.

As I'm in the kitchen making a cup of coffee, I hear my dad coming in behind me.

' Good morning Emma honey '

' Good morning daddy, you about ready for your big day.. Only a few more days left '

I smile as I say this, I watch him grin as he pats my back and says

' Y'know Em .. I never thought I'd ever be happy again after losing Grace .. But I thank God every day he brought Olivia to me .. to us. I was a mess after, and she picked up the pieces and put every piece back together with love and patience every step of the way '

' I know, Daddy.. I'm just happy you're happy ' I hug him before heading to the patio,

' Oh Emma .. I hate to do this to you last minute but Liam is going to be staying in the guest house, can you make sure it's ready, he'll be in Thursday early evening, Liv and I will be at her sisters doing last minute checks til who knows when, you know them two when their together '

' Yes, Daddy, I will get started after my coffee '

I watch him as he goes to the front door and heads to his last day of work for the next few weeks. It's Wednesday, so I have a day to get it done, I think I can manage. The guest house isn't crazy, it's got a nice bedroom with a full bathroom and a kitchen/ living area but that's about it. It is well furnished, though.

I've stayed out here a few times since we've lived here, but it's spooky when you're alone. I get the guest house ready, cleaned, and stocked all ready for Liam. I remember the name and not really the face.

Liam Harris is dad's best friend. They've been friends since before I was born. I remember seeing him a lot up until I was about 11 or 12. His job reassigned him overseas, but him and dad still kept in contact. He's, of course, going to be the best man in dad's wedding again.

My night is boring, no one is here as I lay in bed in a cami top and a pair of shorts, I hear a car pull up. My face scrunches as I peek out of the window. It's not Liv and Daddy. It's a tall, muscular man. I watch as he walks up to the door and knocks. I hesitate but I go and answer the door.

As I open the door slowly, I'm greeted by a breathtaking man dressed in a nice suit. Hazel eyes, 5 o'clock shadow, dimples, and a voice that melts me like a hot knife slicing butter.

' Oh . I must be at the wrong house '

' Who are you looking for ' I ask the man coyly.

' Joey.. Joey Parker '

' Oh. Liam.. I thought you were supposed to be in tomorrow '

I say, opening the door to let him in. He's confused as to who I am, until he has an obvious Oh shit moment.

' Shit ... Emma, is that you '

' In the flesh '

I say as we both get a bit awkward as I'm standing there in my exposing clothes. I bite my lip before I tell him

' Daddy is putting you in the guest house, so you'll feel more comfortable.. I've already gotten it all ready for you.. If you wanna grab your bags, I can take you there '

' Perfect.. Thank you, darlin. '

I watch as he grabs 2 duffle bags and a suitcase with him. I grab one of the duffles and lead him through the kitchen, down the patio path that leads to the guest house. I use the spare key to unlock it and let us in. I give him the short tour as I end in the bedroom, placing his bag onto freshly washed bedding.

' I don't know when they'll be back, but I'm home if you need anything.. '

' A drink. After the day I've had, I need it. '

I smile at this gorgeous man. I feel like my heartbeat is in my ears and my downstairs. I don't know what the hell is wrong with me.

' Well, let's go get you a drink then '

I say as I lead us back up to the house. I can feel his gaze on me the whole way up, I can't help but like it. I'm sure he still thinks I'm just a little girl since that's what I was the last time he's seen me, but boy have I grown and blossomed since then.

I grab two glasses and the mostly full bottle of jack that's in the cupboard. He watches me intently as I pour our drinks. I hand him his and watch him take it in a single gulp. So I follow suit.

' So you excited for the wedding darlin '

I hear him ask me. I nod as I pour us another one. We down these ones, too.

' So you'll be here til Monday, right? '

' Yes '

' Did daddy tell you they'll be honey mooning starting Saturday morning '

' I'm sure he did. Flights have been a nightmare lately. '

' Well, I'm sure Daddy appreciates you coming to his big day .. Again '

' Oh, I wouldn't miss it for the world '

The front door opens as we both turn to look. Dad reaches the kitchen and immediately goes to see his best friend he hasn't seen in more years than he'd like.

' Liam buddy .. How the fuck have ya been. You catch an earlier flight '

I watch as they embrace each other like the good old friends they are. He's finally introduced to Liv as she is all smiles she does take herself and her stuff into the room. Tomorrow we're having a ' mock party ' of the reception. A small pool party while they rehearse and do the final touches and look over everything.

The men spend over an hour catching up before daddy goes to help Liv and they lay down for the night. I've been in my room but go outside for a smoke I've been dying for one. I can only smoke outside though.

As I light my cigarette up I hear footsteps behind me.

' Those things will kill ya princess '

I hear as I turn around and see him light his own up. I raise a brow at him and smile.

' Eh I'll take my chances '

We make small talk as we finish our cigarettes and I ask him if there's anything else he needs. He tells me no before he heads back to the guest house and I head back to my room.

As I'm walking back to my room my heart is racing, That man is so fucking fine. Men don't usually have me nervous or stumbling over myself but so far that's all I've been. He's probably laughing at me to be honest. The house is quiet as I head inside my room. I turn my t.v on some old movie and I lay down.

I grab my cell and check my social, I type his name in the search bar and I immediately find his account. He lives a pretty lavish lifestyle, I only seen a single picture of him with some woman, she was gorgeous but unfamiliar obviously.

I scroll down and seeing him like this gets my insides twisted. I slide my hand down my shorts and slide a few fingers inside as I think of my newfound attraction. Imagining it was Liam touching me like this instead.

I fall asleep quickly after I finish. The next morning I'm awaken to Olivia knocking on my door. I check my phone 11:47. Ugh. I drag myself out of bed as I wipe the sleep from my eyes and I go grab a piece of toast.

The guests will be here soon enough, mostly friends and family, not everyone who will be here tomorrow though. I have been over the details enough that Liv doesn't hound me about today, I'm just here for the cocktails and conversations.

I'm laying on my bed texting my best friend as I've been doing since I woke up, she's out of town or she'd be here already. I pull out a few bikinis as I finally go for my baby powder pink glittery set. It's definitely my favorite, Especially the sheer waist tie off that goes with it.

By the time I make it back downstairs into the backyard the party has started. Guests have drinks in their hands, there's music coming through the speakers and there's dozens of conversations going on around me. I grab a random drink from the passing server before I start my way to the water. It's already 96 degrees and it's only like 1, yeah it's going to be a hot one today.