Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 263 -

*Olivia*

"So then he brought out this wine he'd bought just for us, and it was pretty good, but y'know that wasn't what I came for, so then he's like you know what would make it even more delicious? And I was like 'what?' even though I knew where this was going, and he kissed me and it was so sweet-"

I grinned, listening to her ramble on. I was strongly reminded of when we were in middle school, and we'd snuck out to our first party. Dahlia had spent seven minutes in heaven with Trey, the cutest boy in our school, and afterward, she'd been just like this, rambling on and on about the kiss like it was some glorious scene in a romance movie-at least, until her dad overheard us. That was a pretty messy night. We'd both gotten in deep trouble.

Hearing how his precious little girl had not only snuck out at a party but lost her first kiss to some punk kid did not make for a happy father.

Now, though, we were adults, and if Dahlia's night last night was a romance movie, it would not be rated PG.

Laying on my stomach with my pillow tucked under my head, I watched her as she rambled on, standing in front of the mirror, washing her face of last night's makeup.

"Things went from there, and when he took his shirt off-my god! He was built like an Adonis, Olive. An Adonis! I'd seen some hot guys, but damn, he was fine," Dahlia grinned, sending me a look. "But that's nothing compared to when he took off his pants. Let me tell you-"

"Alright, alright, I get it," I laughed into my pillow, not sure I wanted to hear any more of how hung Lorenzo was. "Tell me any more about his dick, and I won't be able to look him in the eye anymore."

"That better be the only place you're looking," Dahlia said playfully. "Don't be making eyes at my man."

"Oh, he's yours now?" I smirked. "I thought you didn't do relationships?"

"Ha, ha." Dahlia got up from the vanity, taking a seat right next to me. She pulled her feet into a criss-cross, biting her bottom lip as she practically glowed. "This guy is different. I can just feel it. It's more than just sex, it's... I don't know. Maybe it's crazy, but I feel like I could fall for him."

I smiled, softly, reaching out to grasp her hand. "I'm happy for you, Dolly. Really."

"Thanks, Olive," Dahlia smiled brightly.

I smirked, faking a sigh as I said, "Well, you're certainly going to be breaking so many hearts back home. I heard Brendon was still hung up on you."

"Ugh!" Dahlia rolled her eyes. "It was one time, and I was drunk. He needs to let it go. Besides," she grinned wickedly, "I swear Italian men are just better than American men. Lorenzo actually made me come." "Dolly!" I squealed, laughing as I pushed her.

She fell back onto the bed, laughing with a huge grin. "You'll replace out once you have your sexual awakening, Olive," Dahlia hummed to herself.

My smile faded as I felt a pang of guilt in my heart.

I couldn't tell her I already knew what she was talking about, though. I ran back to the limited experience I had with the American boys in high school-a few makeout sessions was all.

It was nothing compared to what Giovani had made me feel, how amazing it had felt to be with him. Anticipation bubbled up in my stomach, excitement about the next time I could have him fuck my brains out.

I glanced at Dahlia as she hummed one of the pop songs that had been playing endlessly on the radio lately. I felt guilty keeping it a secret, but I would tell her one day.

She had always been honest with me, and it would hurt her that I couldn't do the same.

I sighed. I felt like I was trapped between a rock and a hard place. No matter which road I took, somebody was going to get hurt.

My thoughts were interrupted, however, as somebody knocked three times on the door in succession.

"Shit!" Dahlia looked down at her dress still on the floor and quickly kicked it underneath the bed before she called out "Come in!"

An innocent smile was back on her face, like she had done nothing. But even I knew there was no getting out of this. Even if he had been a bit distracted last night, he knew Dahlia hadn't come home.

Giovani stepped inside, wide awake and handsome as ever. His eyes landed on Dahlia but then swirled to me. Surprise colored his face at my presence, and I gave him a sheepish wave.

His eyes trailed down my body sprawled out on the bed. I was still in the tank top and shorts I had gone running in, and they were not loose at all. A pang shot to my stomach. No matter how sore I was, I was ready to go for round two. "Olivia. I thought you were still running," he said, his voice rolling over me like soft velvet.

I smiled, pretending like my panties weren't already wet. "No, I finished about thirty minutes ago. Why?"

"I just didn't expect you to be in here," he said calmly. The way he appeared unaffected was frustrating, but I could see how his eyes still lingered on my bare legs.

"Is there something unusual about me being in Dolly's room?" I asked innocently as I stretched my legs out into the air, waving them teasingly.

Dahlia sent me a strange look, and I knew I was playing a dangerous game, but I couldn't help it.

"Of course not." He coughed, looking away from me entirely as he turned to Dahlia.

"Do you need something, Gio?" Dahlia asked, looking between me and him oddly.

My blood froze as I hoped she didn't pick up on anything. She could be strangely observant at times. It would be just my luck if this was how she found out. She'd kill me, bring me back to life, and then kill me again. "Yes." Giovani didn't seem worried in the slightest as he narrowed his eyes at Dahlia. "I don't want you going back to that boy's apartment complex. There's been mob activity in the area."

"What?" Dahlia gasped and then her cheeks flushed pink. "You did have me followed last night!"

Whoops. I grimaced at the furious look on her face as she stepped up to Giovani. I was never one for confrontation, which was why Dahlia and I got along so well. I never pressed her like other girls might.

"It's dangerous to spend the night at random guys' houses," Giovani said, rather bluntly with a hint of coldness in his eyes, "especially when you don't even know them."

"I know Lorenzo!" Dahlia protested, crossing her arms stubbornly. "And you have no right to be butting into my personal life. You don't know him or me!"

"I know you had sex with him last night."

Dahlia was speechless, her face turning bright red in embarrassment. She sent me a look, a cry for help, but I only grimaced at the humiliation she was going through. What was I supposed to do?

"You know what?" Dahlia balled her fists up, looking very much like her mother as she snapped, "I can take care of myself. Now, leave me alone!" "Your father-"

"I don't care!" Dahlia refused to listen, turning her back on her cousin. "Leave!"

Giovani sighed, rubbing his forehead. It was a habit I had noticed a few times before. Did he get headaches often?

He glanced at me with a helpless look then gestured to Dahlia like he wanted me to talk to her.

'Are you crazy?' I mouthed to him.

Did he think she would listen to me? Besides, I didn't think there was anything wrong with her meeting Lorenzo. He seemed like a good guy. Also, she was an adult. She could make her own decisions, at least in my opinion. Giovani rolled his eyes. "Don't act like a child, Dahlia. Don't forget, we're just doing this because we want to keep you safe."

Dahlia huffed, not saying another word. I'd often been around for one of her tantrums, but she had never been like this before.

Giovani breathed a sigh and then turned on his heel and left, shutting the door behind him. There was silence before Dahlia turned around and screamed in frustration.

She threw herself onto the bed, the comforter rocking with the force of her weight, and I grimaced at the bad mood I could feel coming off her.

"Can you believe him?" she growled. "Trying to control me just like my dad! Well, he's not my father! And he has no right to tell me what to do."

"He's just worried about you, Dolly," I said quietly. "If something happened to you-"

"Don't you start too!" she snapped, crossing her arms. "Lorenzo's a good guy! I like him. You're supposed to be on my side, not his!"

"I am!" I reached out a hand, trying to soothe her anger. "But I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you. I'm always on your side, Dolly. I just also want you to be careful. It couldn't help to be a little more alert. Didn't he say there was gang activity or something?"

"I guess," Dahlia sighed, finally relaxing into the bed. "He didn't actually say anything against Lorenzo, did he?"

"Nope," I said with a smile. "Just keep watch on your surroundings, that's all. You can do that, right? For me?"

Dahlia sent me a smile. "Smooth, Olive. Fine, fine. I'll be careful."

"Thank you," I breathed in relief.

It was true. Dahlia could be rather impulsive and reckless at times. I wanted her to be safe just as much as Giovani did, but he had gone about it in the wrong way.

I knew from how many times Dahlia's dad had scolded us after doing something stupid that it never worked with her. Telling her not to do something just made her want to do it more.

"Don't you think that's weird, though?" Dahlia piped up with a confused look.

"What is?"

"That Gio's keeping tabs on you too."

I froze, trying not to let the fear show on my face as I smiled innocently. "What do you mean?"

"I mean he knew you went out for a run," Dahlia pointed out. "It's like he knows your daily schedule or something. I get me, 'cause my Dad probably threatened him to or something, but what about you? What reason could he possibly have?" I shrugged, my heart beating furiously in my ears. I hoped to God it didn't show on my face.

"Who knows?" I said, hoping she'd drop the subject.

"You're right. Gio's always been weird," Dahlia sighed, but then she glanced at me with a determined look. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to give up."

A bad feeling appeared in the pit of my stomach as I asked, "What do you mean?"

"I'm going to see Lorenzo again tonight," Dahlia said firmly, "no matter what Giovani wants."

And there it was.

She was lucky I loved her or else I'd never put up with Dahlia's stubbornness.