My Best Friend's Dad || J.A.

Chapter Five

   "Morning, sleepyhead," Calen groans as Astrid pulls the comforter off her. "You gotta get up. I made brunch plans. Called and all of that jazz." She tells her but only earns another groan. "Get up before I get my dad to pick you up and toss you in the pool." The idea makes Calen sit up swiftly. "That's what I thought."

   "Why did you have to do brunch and not lunch?" Calen rubs her eyes.

   "Because dad has to leave around lunch and I want to have a meal with two of the five people I love with my whole heart," Astrid explains and Calen wraps her in a hug, pulling her to lay down on the bed.

   "I love you with my whole heart," Calen says and the two girls wear wide grins. "And since I love you with my whole heart, I'll get up... after you tell me where we're eating." She lays on her back as Astrid sits up and looks down at her.

   "It's a surprise." Astrid wears that mischievous smirk Calen's way too used to. "Dress casually. By the way, don't rush because I haven't woke Dad up yet and he takes longer than us to get ready." Her information makes Calen fall off the bed from laughter.

   In seconds Jensen is bursting through the door with anxiety written all over his face. "Is everything okay?" He looks between his daughter and Calen dying of laughter on the floor.

   "Yeah. Calen just has the humor of a child." Astrid assures her father while Calen's eyes start to tear up from laughing as hard as she is. "By the way, I set up a brunch, so go get ready." She tells Jensen and he looks from her to Calen before leaving the room.

   "I don't know what you and Dad talked about yesterday, but you two get along perfectly." Astrid's words make Calen wipe her tears and calm from her laughter.

   "We talked about you." Calen half lies to her best friend. "You're the best daughter and best best friend." She gives a genuine smile because it's true. Sliding herself back onto the bed, Calen tells Astrid, "Your dad's hot." Astrid cringes at the words.

   "I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that and let you get ready." Astrid shakes her head as she stands and walks toward the door to leave.

   Calen takes a deep breath before opening the drawers where she finally put all her clothes. Taking out clothes she finds casual enough for brunch, she heads for the bathroom.

   Getting ready, Calen's head spins for the thought of if something does happen with her and Jensen, how would Astrid react? Would she be okay with it? Would she hate Calen? Every worst outcome plays through her mind until she leaves her room with a smile that plasters on her face.

   "Told you that you'd be done before Dad." Astrid crosses her arms with a victorious smile. "I'm making Dad drive himself again because you're all mine."

   "Now what do you mean by that?" Calen wiggles her eyebrows and Astrid swiftly grabs a pillow from the couch and throws it at Calen. "Hey!" The pillow hits her and she steps back a little and bumps into something hard.

   "Woah there." Jensen chuckles as he catches Calen by her waist. "What's happening?" His hands don't move and Calen feels her heart racing.

   "Nothing." Astrid grins as she picks the pillow up and tosses it back on the couch. "Just that you're driving yourself again." She pulls Calen into her. "'Cause you're not welcome to girl talk." Her smile brightens as she walks towards the door, expecting Calen behind her.

   Calen goes to follow but Jensen stops her for a second to peck her cheek. Heart in her throat, she moves away from him and follows her best friend whose back is towards them.

   "I suggest grabbing your keys because we're leaving the second I start the car." Astrid turns around to look directly at her father whose eyebrows are raised. "Now you know what it feels like to be rushed out of the house."