My Father's Best Friend

Chapter 1

Aria's P.O.V.

I kissed my mom goodbye and smiled at her, picking up my car keys.

"Mom, don't look so sad, I'll be back next weekend!" I laughed.

She pouted.

"I always miss you though, baby! You are never here anymore."

I let out a slight sigh. Responding with a measly "I know" and going on to explain that college life is anything but free time. She nodded, understanding, and we said our final goodbyes as we walked to our separate cars. Putting the key in the ignition, I drove back into the direction of my college, thinking of all of the assignments I have yet to finish.

You have 1 new message:

Hey Aria! Miss U, can we hang 2nite? Xoxo -Mark

I smiled at the sight of his text message. It has been awhile since we've talked, and I miss him a lot. My fathers best friend, Mark, was one of the best people to be around. Knowing that today was his flight back from Paris, I wasn't hesitant to respond with:

Hi Mark! miss U 2. Ill give U some time 2 unpack, then we'll meet at Ur apartment later. Sorry, not allowed 2 have people over in my dorm room who don't go 2 this school. -Aria

I tossed my phone onto the passenger seat, and drove the rest of the way back to my campus.

-•-•-•-

"Emily! Not helping here!" I playfully slapped my roommate at the sight of her walking around in my heels, tripping with every step. She threw her head back laughing.

"Oh, come on, Aria, it's just dinner with Mark! He wouldn't care if you wore a paper bag for gods sake!"

I blushed.

"I haven't seen him since last month, and I want this to be special, okay? Now this dress, or this one?" I asked her, holding up two mid-thigh length dresses, one black, one white.

She looked at me knowingly, arching an eyebrow.

"Special?" She smirked. I threw a pillow at her as I felt my cheeks redden.

"EMILY! That's not what I meant! I just..I.." I trailed off.

What did I mean? I don't like Mark, not like that.. What am I thinking? Mark is a friend, stop Aria! I just meant that I wanted to look nice for our dinner. Yep. That's it. Nothing more.

We finally settled on the black dress with my heels, because Emily refused to let up the defense that black = sexy. (To which I rolled my eyes at.) I said goodbye to her and headed for my car, stumbling in my heels. Driving off to Mark's, I started thinking about him. Did I have feelings for him? No, I can't. That's wrong. He's always been a friend. What's changed?

Pulling up into the driveway that led to his apartment, I pushed the thoughts out of my head. I soon reached his apartment and knocked on his door, hearing his soft deep voice call that he's coming. He opened the door and pulled me into a hug, and I took in his scent, and, not gonna lie, his toned muscles.

"Aria! I missed you so much! Paris wasn't all that great without my favorite person in the world.."

I stared at him. His light brown eyes, beautiful brown locks, his tanned skin, his perfect smile. I would be lying if I tried to say I wasn't the least bit attracted to him.

"Ah, Mark. A man of wise words." I teased him. He pulled me into another hug as we sat down on the couch.

"So??? Tell me about Paris!" I asked, persistently. His fingers traced my neck as I lay down, my head on his chest. I loved the feeling of his heartbeat. Snap out of it, Aria!

"It was great. Pretty sights, nice people. But I was pretty lonely. Couldn't wait to get home and see yo-

Um...your dad, of course." He replied.

"Yeah.." I said, looking confused as to why he didn't want to admit that he wanted to see me too.

I looked away, and out of the corner of my eye I saw him shaking his head at himself, almost looking shy. Mark? Shy? He was never shy! What's going on? The awkward tension built and I broke it by asking:

"Need any help with dinner?" With a small smile.