Falling for my Friend's Dad (A Curvy Girl Instalove Romance): Coffee & Curves, #2

By L. Moone

The heart wants what it wants…and it sucks.

 

Who makes out with her friend's dad? Kayla does, apparently. At Lauren's grand opening, no less. 

 

Obviously, they need to ignore what happened and move on. Right? 

 

But Simon awoke something in Kayla, which she cannot ignore. Likewise, she made him feel things he thought impossible ever since his wife's death. 

 

Sometimes love strikes in inconvenient places. Now what?

 

Note: this self-contained steamy coffee break read may end up melting not just your eReader, but your heart as well! If you enjoy steamy instalove romance stories featuring confident older men and curvy younger women, L. Moone's Coffee & Curves series will tick all your boxes.

 

Every book follows a different couple from the moment lightning first strikes all the way to their happily ever after. They can be read in any order, but for maximum enjoyment I suggest you start with some Fireworks (Book 1).

 

Coffee & Curves Reading Order:
Christmas with my Boss (#0)
Fireworks for the Billionaire (#1)
Falling for my Friend's Dad (#2)
Beauty and the Bouncer (#3)
One Night with my Boss (#4)
Sugar Baby's First Time (#5)

• Language: English
• Publisher: eXplicitTales
• Release date: Sep 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393550051

L. Moone

L. Moone is a Contemporary Romance author based in rainy England. Addicted to caffeine, chocolate and impure thoughts, she loves to write sweet yet spicy romances featuring husky men, curvy heroines and everything in between. In her world, the men are cinnamon roll sweet and the women are fierce and fabulous. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. And the only path toward happiness is the one travelled together. *** Sweet Heroes, Sexy Books *** "I first started writing and publishing in 2012 because I craved to see more of "my kind of books" on the shelves. In any scenario, you'll find me rooting for the underdog. The (emotionally) scarred hero who hasn't really had much luck in love and finds himself yearning for that which has so far been out of reach. The shy office worker who is too terrified to approach the big & sexy man of her dreams, until one day she decides to throw caution in the wind.  Cinnamon roll heroes are a huge part of my brand, so are independent heroines. All my characters are beautifully flawed and messed up, in a way that makes them perfect for one another. And once they get an intimate taste of the sometimes forbidden fruit, there's no turning back... Expect some drama, a sprinkling of challenging themes, as well as plenty of smexy times along the way, but the rollercoaster always leads to a heartfelt happily ever after! Find all of the above mentioned themes in the following series I have out: Husky Men Do It Better, Coffee & Curves, and Chance Encounters. All my books can be read as stand-alones, but they'll be a lot more fun to read in series. If all this sounds like your cup of tea, visit me for a free story at lmoone.com/newsletter By the way, I also write Paranormal and Fantasy Romance as Lorelei Moone."

Book preview

Chapter One

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* Simon *

New Year’s Day.

"Of all the men in the world, this is the one you want?" I ask, glaring down at Lawrence, who continues to kneel in front of my daughter. The whole situation would be hilarious, but this is Lauren we’re talking about. I’d lost my sense of humour the moment he stormed into her shop inauguration and made a scene in front of everyone.

Adrenaline is rushing through me. If he gives me even half an excuse, I’ll plant one right in his arrogant face. What the fuck was he thinking? He’smy age almost, and a dog at that. And he’s trying to get with my daughter. I could kill him right here and feel no remorse whatsoever.

Except…

Yes, he is. It’s like what you used to tell me about Mom and you. When you know, you just know, right? Lauren says.

When she looks at me like this, with those big blue eyes that remind me so much of Emma, I know I can’t refuse her. Emma was the tough one; the one to maintain discipline. I could never follow through once Lauren dialled up the charm.

Some might say I’ve spoiled my daughter, but I did the best I could. It’s hard to accept how much she’s grown. To me she’s still that same little girl with the ginger pigtails who couldn’t understand where her mother had gone when she didn’t make it home from the hospital.

I try to get a grip on myself, but the anger is just too overwhelming right now. For all of her life, I’ve tried to shield her from the ugliness of the world. I never involved her too much in the business either so that she would go out and make her own way in life.

And now, our worlds have come full circle with Lawrence, of all people. Jesus Christ, what are these two thinking?

I glance down at the unfortunate couple again, but their tearful reconciliation is making my stomach turn. The sooner this spectacle ends, the better.

Let’s go back inside. Your guests will be wondering what’s going on, I say, in the calmest tone possible under these circumstances.

You go ahead, Dad. I’m going to need a moment, Lauren replies.

Lawrence gets up, puts his arms around my little girl, and I see red. Best to get away before things escalate. I have Lauren’s best interests at heart, obviously, even if she won’t see it that way. If I intervene now, she might never forgive me.

This is a mistake she’s going to have to make all for herself. I can’t live her life for her.

Once inside and among the crowd, I try to focus my attention elsewhere, so I analyse the event at hand.

Lauren and Emily have done an amazing job on this place in such a short time. The shop looks slick; high end, just as Lauren had envisioned. Some of the designs adorning the tastefully laid out racks and shelves remind me of various sketches and drawings Lauren had shown me previously.

Although my connections—namely Lawrence, whom I still want to murder—helped secure this rather reasonable lease, this business is all them. Their planning, their execution. My role was advisory at best.

And this inaugural party—despite its inconvenient timing—looks to be a success. There’s a good mix of people in attendance: industry contacts, models, and even some press are represented here today.

Mr. Baxter. Emily approaches and points at one of the trays of champagne. Please help yourself.

I force a smile, though I can still feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. The poor girl has no idea how close I am to throwing the entire tray across the room. But of course, I do nothing of the sort. Lawrence is the one I’m angry with, not Lauren or Emily, and this is supposed to be their night.

Don’t they have anything stronger? I mutter to myself while taking a first, generous sip.

The quality is appropriate for the occasion as well as Lauren’s budget, but it’s definitely not high class. I wish I had better options to hand.

The glass empties much too soon, and I’m back to wondering what to do with my hands, just to fight the urge to strangle someone.

Distract and deflect.

I scan the crowd and try to guess at everyone’s back story. Some people are very easy to place. The social media influencers who are trying to take the perfect picture to please their followers. The locals who dropped in out of sheer curiosity. A couple of people appear to have attended simply to drink champagne and eat the snacks.

Then, there are the models. I’d spotted a couple of them emerging from the back room earlier wearing some of Lauren’s more recognisable outfits.

And finally, I see her. She’s posing for a selfie with Emily and some other girls I don’t recognise; potential customers, maybe? I’m good at faces, and I’m sure I’ve never seen any of them.

Long blonde hair, tastefully applied makeup and a figure with curves in all the right places. I don’t recognise the dress she’s wearing, but her look is perfectly put together. Must be one of Lauren’s newer designs which I haven’t seen before.

My eyes pause