DADDY'S GIRL

I never thought of him this way before. For years, James Reynolds was just my stepdad—the guy who raised me after my mom left when I was seven. He attended all my school events, taught me how to drive, and told my first boyfriend he'd better have me home by eleven or else. But lately, something's changed. And it scares me. "Anna! Hello? What are you getting James for his birthday?" Daisy waved her hand in front of my face while we walked through the fancy store. "No idea," I said, touching some silk ties. "What do you buy someone who could buy this whole place now?" Three months ago, James sold his tech company for billions. We went from regular people to super rich overnight. We moved from our normal house to a mansion. He traded his old car for a bunch of expensive ones worth more than my college tuition. All this money changed everything—except the empty feeling from when my mom abandoned us. Money can't fix that. I wonder if anything can. "Maybe get him cologne," Daisy suggested with a grin. "Guys like that. Or something extra fancy since he's a billionaire now?" She gave me a playful look. "Stop it," I said too harshly. Daisy looked surprised. "Wow, touchy much? I just meant some fancy designer stuff, not whatever you thought." What's wrong with me lately? When people talk about James, I get all protective feelings I know I shouldn't have.