At first, I sit across the booth, but he tells me, "Sit next to me. You know I don't bite."

Swallowing, I obey him. When I'm beside him, I'm all too aware of his scent–like lemon and vanilla, an intoxicating combination of sour and sweet.

He asks, "Aren't you going to ask me why I fell out with your father?"

Though I'm curious, I reply, "That's between you and my dad."

"We fell out over you."

I blink. "Over me? Why?"

"Your father asked me to help him with some of his debts. I told him I would give him money...on one condition."

Dad had–or has–debts? This is news to me. My father is an obsessive couponer and refuses to buy any clothes that don't come off the clearance rack.

"Why would that end your friendship?" I ask.

"Because the 'one condition' was having you."

WORD COUNT: 3,800

A sexy short story about a young woman and her dad's former friend!