Daddy's Best Friend

52

CHAPTER 52

SOPHIA 

I eyed Henry across the breakfast table, a glint of excitement in my eyes. "Hey, Henry, what do you think about Kylie and her boyfriend coming over for Thanksgiving?"

He looked up from his newspaper, considering my proposal. "Thanksgiving? Sure, why not? The more, the merrier."

I beamed, thrilled at his agreement. "That's fantastic! They'll love your cooking, and it'll be so much fun."

Henry chuckled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Hold on, Sophia. I was thinking maybe we could take a short trip instead."

My excitement deflated like a balloon losing air. "A trip? But, Henry, Thanksgiving is all about family and friends gathering."

He leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "True, but what if our little family takes a break from tradition this year? A change of scenery, just the two of us."

I pouted, trying my best to muster a persuasive look. "Henry, please! Kylie and her boyfriend have already made plans. It would be rude to cancel on them now."

He sighed, clearly torn. "Sophia, you know I can't say no when you give me that look."

A mischievous grin spread across my face. "You mean this look?" I batted my eyelashes, leaning in for a quick peck on his cheek.

Henry rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "Fine, you win. Kylie and her boyfriend can still come over for Thanksgiving."

I squealed in delight, giving him a triumphant hug. "You're the best, Henry! They'll be so happy."

He chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. "You're lucky I can't resist your charm."

As we finished breakfast, I couldn't help but think about how persuasive a well-timed kiss and a bit of pleading could be. It was a skill I'd honed over time, knowing that Henry had a soft spot for such tactics.

Later that day, I called Kylie with the good news. She was overjoyed and couldn't wait to join us for Thanksgiving. I could practically hear her excitement through the phone.

In the evening, as Henry and I sat on the couch, I couldn't resist teasing him a bit. "Admit it, Henry, my charm is irresistible."

He feigned a sigh, playing along. "You're a force to be reckoned with, Sophia. I can't argue with that."

We shared a laugh, the playfulness easing any lingering tension. It was moments like these that reminded me of the unique dynamic we had – a mix of playful banter, shared laughter, and the occasional negotiation. As we prepared for an unconventional Thanksgiving with Kylie and her boyfriend, I couldn't help but appreciate the flexibility that came with our relationship.

*****

I strolled into the office with Henry, our steps in sync until we reached the corridor where our offices branched off. With a polite smile, I bid him a good morning and headed toward the printing area.

As I stood by the printer, organizing some documents, Jake, my boss, appeared out of nowhere. He leaned casually against the nearby desk, a smug grin on his face.

"Good morning, Sophia," he said, his tone unnervingly smooth.

"Morning, Jake," I replied, trying to keep things professional.

He stepped closer, invading my personal space. "You know, I've been meaning to tell you how stunning you look today."

I raised an eyebrow, maintaining a professional demeanor. "Thank you, Jake, but let's keep it work-related."