Emily's fingers tapped an irregular rhythm on the steering wheel as she navigated the winding coastal road. The salty breeze whipped through her open window, carrying the faint scent of fried food and engine oil from the nearby pier.
"Jesus, my head is pounding," Sophia groaned from the passenger seat. "Remind me never to mix tequila and attempted pancakes again."
Emily snorted. "At least we didn't burn down your kitchen. Small victories."
She pulled into a parking spot near a row of gleaming motorcycles, their chrome accents catching the late morning sunlight. As they stepped out of the car, Emily's gaze lingered on the bikes. For a fleeting moment, she pictured herself on the back of one, arms wrapped around a broad-shouldered rider in a leather jacket. She shook her head, banishing the image.
"Earth to Em," Sophia called, already halfway to the cafe entrance. "You coming or what?"
Emily jogged to catch up, her boots crunching on the gravel. "Yeah, yeah. Just... admiring the view."
Sophia's knowing smirk made Emily roll her eyes. "Don't start," she warned.
Inside the cafe, the aroma of coffee and bacon enveloped them. A cheerful waitress led them to a sun-drenched window table, menus in hand.
"Two Bloody Marys to start, please," Sophia requested before the waitress could even open her mouth. "Extra spicy."
As they settled in, Emily's thoughts drifted back to the events of the past week. The shock of Ryan's betrayal, the whirlwind night with Lucas... it all felt surreal.
"You've got that look again," Sophia observed, breaking through Emily's reverie. "Spill."
Emily sighed, fidgeting with her napkin. "I just... I don't know how I'm supposed to feel, you know? One minute I'm planning a wedding, the next I'm having mind-blowing sex with a stranger old enough to be my dad."
Sophia leaned forward, her voice low. "And? Was it as good as you said earlier?"
A flush crept up Emily's neck. "Better," she admitted. "But that's not the point. I mean, what the hell am I doing?"
"Living your life," Sophia replied, just as their Bloody Marys arrived. She raised her glass. "To new beginnings and hot daddies."
Emily couldn't help but laugh, clinking her glass against Sophia's. As she took a sip, her phone buzzed. A text from "Daddy" flashed across the screen.
Daddy: Had a great time last night, baby girl. When can I see you again?
Emily's heart raced. She glanced up at Sophia, who was watching her expectantly.
"Well?" Sophia prodded. "Are you going to answer him?"
Emily's thumb hovered over the screen. "I don't know," she said softly. "Should I?"
Emily stared out the window, watching seagulls dive-bomb for scraps on the beach. The salty air wafted in through the open cafe door, mingling with the scent of coffee and fried food. She turned back to Sophia, chewing her lip.
"What would you do?" Emily asked, her voice barely audible over the clink of dishes and chatter of other diners.
A mischievous glint appeared in Sophia's hazel eyes as she held out her hand, palm up. "Give me your phone."
Emily's stomach dropped. "I don't like this," she muttered, clutching her phone tighter.
Sophia wiggled her fingers. "Come on, Em. You know you want to text him. You're just too chicken shit to do it yourself."
"I am not chicken shit," Emily protested, but her voice lacked conviction. She glanced down at her phone, Lucas' number burning a hole in her contact list. Her thumb hovered over the messaging app.
Sophia leaned across the table, nearly knocking over their Bloody Marys. "Look, babe. You had mind-blowing sex with a hot older dude. Own it. Text the man."
Emily's cheeks flushed. She remembered Lucas' hands on her body, his gravelly voice in her ear. "It's too soon," she whispered.
"Bullshit," Sophia declared, snatching the phone from Emily's loose grip. "Ryan's the one who fucked up. You don't owe him shit."
Emily's eyes widened as Sophia slid her phone back across the table, a devilish grin plastered on her face. The screen glowed with the audacious message Sophia had just typed out.
"What the actual fuck, Soph?" Emily hissed, snatching the phone and reading the text with growing horror. "I am not sending this!"
Sophia cackled, raising her Bloody Mary in a mock toast. "Oh come on, live a little! He'll love it."
Emily's cheeks burned as she reread the message:
Baby Girl: Hey Daddy, your baby girl is thinking of you. Come claim what's yours whenever you want it ?
"Jesus Christ," Emily muttered, her finger hovering over the delete button. Part of her was mortified, but another part...
No. She shook her head, trying to banish the flash of heat that had surged through her.
"You're insane," she told Sophia, who was still grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "I barely know the guy. I can't just proposition him like some... some..."
"Some smoking hot woman who knows what she wants?" Sophia finished, arching an eyebrow. "Because newsflash, Em - that's exactly what you are."
Emily groaned, burying her face in her hands. "This is too much. I'm not ready for... whatever this is."
But even as she said it, she found herself peeking at the message again, her thumb ghosting over the send button.
"Fuck it," she muttered, hitting send before she could change her mind.
Sophia whooped, raising her glass. "That's my girl! To new beginnings and mind-blowing orgasms!"
Emily clinked glasses with her, downing half her Bloody Mary in one gulp. "I'm going to regret this, aren't I?"
But as her phone buzzed with an incoming message, she couldn't quite suppress her grin.
Sophia's laughter rang out across the café, drawing curious glances from nearby tables. Emily's face burned as she tried to snatch her phone back, but Sophia danced away, eyes glued to the screen.
"Oh my god, Em. He's totally into it!" Sophia cackled, holding the phone just out of reach.
Daddy: Can't wait to see you and to make you scream my name again, baby girl.
Emily groaned and let her forehead thunk against the table. The cool wood did little to soothe the fire in her cheeks. Fuck my life, she thought. This is what I get for telling Sophia anything.
She raised her hand, flagging down a passing waiter. "Two more Bloody Marys, please. Actually, make that four."
The waiter quirked an eyebrow but nodded, hurrying off to fill the order.
Sophia finally slid back into her seat, still giggling as she handed the phone over. "Come on, it's not that bad. He's obviously super into you."
Emily lifted her head just enough to glare at her best friend. "Not that bad? Soph, I barely know the guy."
"Please," Sophia scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You're a badass bitch who can handle herself. Plus, did you see those muscles? I bet he could bench press both of us."
Despite herself, Emily felt a little thrill at the memory of Lucas' strong arms around her. She shook her head, trying to clear the image. "That's not the point. I'm not ready for... whatever this is."
Sophia's expression softened. She reached across the table to squeeze Emily's hand. "Hey, I get it. Ryan fucked you over big time. But you can't let that asshole ruin your life forever."
Emily sighed, absently tracing patterns on the condensation of her water glass. "I know. It's just... everything's happening so fast."
The waiter returned, carefully setting down their fresh round of drinks. Emily immediately grabbed one, taking a long sip. The spicy kick of the vodka helped settle her nerves a bit.
Sophia raised her own glass in a toast. "To new beginnings, yeah? And hot daddies who want to rock your world."
Emily couldn't help but laugh, clinking her glass against Sophia's. "You're the worst, you know that?"
"Yep," Sophia grinned. "And you love me for it."
As the alcohol warmed her veins, Emily felt some of the tension drain from her shoulders. Maybe Sophia was right. Maybe it was time to take a chance.
She pulled out her phone, biting her lip as she typed out a reply:
Baby Girl: Looking forward to it... daddy. ❤️
Emily's phone buzzed incessantly as she nursed her third Bloody Mary, the spicy tomato concoction doing little to quell the butterflies in her stomach. She glanced at Sophia, who was grinning like the Cheshire Cat every single time Emily's phone vibrated.
Baby Girl: So... Um, about that text earlier…
Daddy: Don't overthink it. I liked it.
Baby Girl: Really? I was worried it was too forward.
Daddy: I can handle forward. The question is, can you?
Baby Girl: I think I'm up for the challenge, daddy.
Daddy: That's my good girl. How about dinner tonight?
Baby Girl: Sounds perfect. Where?
Daddy: The Rusty Anchor, 8 PM. Wear something easy to take off.
Baby Girl: Yes, daddy. Can't wait.
Daddy: Neither can I, baby girl. See you soon.
Emily set her phone down, her cheeks flushed crimson. "Holy shit," she muttered, downing the rest of her drink.
Sophia leaned forward, practically bouncing in her seat. "Well? Spill!"
"We're having dinner tonight," Emily replied, her voice a mix of excitement and nerves. "At The Rusty Anchor."
"Ooh, fancy," Sophia cooed. "What are you going to wear?"
Emily's mind raced through her wardrobe options. "Something easy to take off, apparently," she said with a laugh, surprising herself with her boldness.
As they left the cafe, the salty sea air hit Emily's face, grounding her in the moment. She couldn't believe how quickly things were moving, but for once in her life, she didn't want to overthink it. She wanted to feel alive, to embrace the thrill of the unknown.
"You know what?" Emily said, turning to Sophia with a mischievous glint in her eye. "I think I need to go shopping."