Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 213 -

Allegra.

Downing one shot of vodka, then another, I decided to drink my way through this damn phone call. Apparently, I had decided to discuss things with Layla. When had I decided that? I wasn't sure, I was about four shots deep right now. Spinning the phone in my hand, I let out a sigh, grumbling in annoyance. Music pounded in my ears, which I bobbed my head to. I twirled my hands, rotating my wrists as I leaned back on my couch and let out a laugh. F*ck. What situation was I in right now? Love-struck and making bad decisions? That was right. I had the damn mob off me now, so that was a relief. Neal came through, just as I thought he would. Now he couldn't know about what I was contemplating.

If anyone huffed and puffed at me for thinking of calling Layla back, I'd lose my mind. Though, most phone calls that came through right now were from my boss or coworkers, congratulating me once again on my stunning performance. Whatever. I grabbed my phone and dialed Layla, throwing caution to the wind. Ring.... Ring... "Hello?" Layla said on the other end of the line, her breath catching. God, the sound of her voice sent shivers down my spine. I ran my tongue over my lips.

I was about to make a bad decision now wasn't I?

"Hey. You wanted to talk?" I said, my voice slurring a bit. There was pause on the other line, then a gasp.

"Yes. You're calling me back, Allegra? I really am sorry. I meant it when I said 'take me back.' I really need you," Layla whined a bit pathetically. Problem was, I believed her. I let out a sigh and took another shot before slamming the glass onto my table.

"I get it," I said, my voice a bit warmer than I probably wanted it to be. "Let's meet and discuss the situation. Alright? Mob's taken care of. Your friends are all dead. Hope that's not going to be a problem, Layla." "No, not at all," she squeaked, sounding terrified for a second before taking a deep breath. "It was meant to happen, after their lies and what they did to you. I didn't know-I just-... no. Not a problem," she repeated. "Good," I said, my tone a bit husky. "Tomorrow, then. Come back to my house. We'll see if we can work things back. No guarantees, Layla. Understand? I said. "That doesn't mean you're going to end up in my arms." "Thank you for hearing me out, Allegra," Layla said, probably close to tears. "I saw your show on TV. You were beautiful and took my breath away. Everything about you was goddess-like," she said, adoration dripping in her words. My heart may have fluttered just a little at her words, and I narrowed my eyes. Licking my lips again, I said, "Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow." Another shot. Then another. I lost count, and everything was swirling around me. I was on top of the world.

Eventually, I needed to pour myself several glasses of water and head to bed so that I wouldn't be hung over tomorrow. Rather, just tired. I didn't want to make a bad decision and text Layla how much I wanted her right now.

We'd work that out tomorrow. IF, in fact, I deemed it was worth taking her back. My stomach clenched as I realized I was already making my decision. Nope, needed to wait until I was sober again.

I slept well that night. I definitely wasn't hugging the pillow and imagining that it was Layla; that would be silly. If I was, no one would ever know. Eventually, sunlight broke through my curtains, causing me to groan softly. This was it. I rolled out of bed, mercifully spared a hangover despite the shots I had taken last night. That meant I could take more shots tonight if everything went wrong. Or, if everything went right. Either way was tantalizing.

I went to the shower and quickly got myself prettied up. I texted Layla a good time frame to come meet me here. Lunchtime. I may as well prepare something. After a few hours of mucking about, I did just that.

A simple meal of fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and broccoli would be fitting. Comfort food, really, which I imagined was what both of us needed. At the knock on my door, I sighed and hung my head a moment.

I'd need to face this head-on and not run from it. I really wanted Layla back, but I couldn't cave so easily. Not after she worked with those bastards. Still, she was here for a chance, and I needed to also consider that my feelings may be valid, too.

That was, that taking her back was a good decision, of course. I walked over to the front door and opened it, my eyes fixing upon Layla. She had flowers in her grasp, and she met my eyes with a tearful stare of her own.

At the moment, she was in a dress that hugged her figure, her makeup touched up to perfection. Her hair flowed down her back in a beautiful manner, causing me to subconsciously lick my lips and imagine them against hers.

'Don't flirt, don't flirt,' I told myself.

"You look gorgeous, Layla," I purred. Sh*t. It was too early to cave. Matters were made harder when the lovely woman started to blush. This was going to be rough. Tension crackled in the air as I invited her inside and told her to sit down. I set her up a plate, placing it in front of her and sitting across from her. "Please don't tell me," I said, "that I'm inviting a vampire into my household that will take advantage of the situation, Layla. As sexy as that would be, granted, I just went through hell, as you very well know."

Layla was staring at her hands and nodded, gulping. She drank several sips of the water I'd provided her before finally inhaling and meeting my gaze again. This time, she didn't break her stare, causing me to raise a brow. "Wouldn't you like me to be?" Layla said, cracking a smile that met her eyes. She was breaking through her nervous demeanor. She grew serious and swallowed. "They lied to me. They took advantage of how docile I can be, Allegra. I was so gullible. I should have seen the signs."

"You should have," I said, my tone somewhat bitter. My lip twitched a bit in disapproval at her words. She always had been so innocent, but it'd been for a good cause. Looking into her eyes, right now, I began to understand this whole misunderstanding was the end result of that.

Layla nodded, nervous again, but holding her ground. "I f*cked up badly. I don't deserve forgiveness, but here I am begging for it. Allegra, I'll do anything." "Anything?"

"You know what I mean," she said, studying my expression. I cracked a devilish smile for just one moment before letting out a sigh, reaching up to rub at my forehead in thought. What else could I get her to say? She clearly regretted what she'd done.

"If you thought Becca was so bad, why didn't you warn me?" I asked in exasperation, wanting to know that much, at least.

"I didn't think you'd believe me," she muttered, rubbing her arm. "I should have just trusted you," Layla added, causing me to nod.

"Yeah," I growled. "You should have." Then, I sighed, my shoulders slumping. "We both know I'm going to cave, but Layla, you need to know how much you hurt me. I am keeping in mind you were honest with me in the end, at least, which was brave. You knew you'd likely lose me."

"That's why I had to tell you at the exact moment I realized I f*cked up," Layla replied in a low tone, tears streaming down her cheeks again. "I knew I didn't deserve you, and I didn't want to lose you, but it was the right thing to do. I couldn't live on a lie."

"Glad to hear that, at least," I snorted. My gaze softened, and I closed my eyes for a moment before refocusing. "Anyway, like I said, we both knew I would give in. I hope you're not taking advantage of my love right now, Layla." "I'm not," Layla said firmly. She got up from the table and circled around to stare me down, resting her hand on the table. "You're the most beautiful person I've ever seen, but more than that, you're intelligent, strong-" she began. I didn't give her a chance to finish. I stood up, grabbing the collar of her shirt. I tilted my head and planted my lips against hers, giving her a very deep kiss. My eyes were shut as I drank in all of her. The chemistry crackled between us, and my heart pounded.

Her lips were so soft, so delicious. The smell of her perfume, floral, delicate, told me she deserved to be a princess. To have doves released on her wedding day, to be carried bridal style by me, the whole nine yards.

I still loved her, and she very much loved me. Layla deepened the kiss, wrapping her arms around me and parting mine with her tongue. Our bodies fit together perfectly as if fate itself decided we were meant to be together. Sadly, the kiss had to end. Unfortunately, both of us needed to breathe. Layla gasped out, her cheeks a deep red. She stared into my eyes, licking her lips and giving a smile of sheer adoration that made me feel like she worshipped the very ground I walked on.

Funny, that was the case from me to her. I smiled at her, then reached up to cup her cheek. "I think you have my answer. There's vodka in the fridge. Let's spend the night together. Let me treat you. You must be stressed-"

"No," Layla said softly, causing me to raise a brow. "Let me treat you, Allegra. You deserve it. And not just because I put you through hell emotionally. You deserve it because you're you."

My smile widened, and I nodded, letting out a sigh of contentment. I hoped this wasn't some dream. I hoped I wouldn't regret this later. But right here, right now? Layla was mine again. My modeling career was on track, and I was going to be top in the industry again in no time.

Tonight, and my fate, was sealed with a kiss; a very intense one, at that.