Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 264 -

*Olivia*

Sipping my fresh iced tea, basking in the sun as I flipped the page of my book, I sighed contently, the condensation running down the edges of my glass as I set it back down. My eyes traced the words in front of me as the clouds passed lazily above. It was a beautiful day, just perfect for laying out on the sunbeds by the pool with a good book and a nice, cold drink.

Dahlia had left early in the morning for a shopping spree with a few friends she had met. Apparently, there was a summer blowout at one of her favorite stores.

She'd always been a social butterfly, attracting everyone to her. I swear she could make friends with anyone, even if she didn't speak their language.

I loved her, but sometimes, she was a bit much, which is why I elected to stay behind.

I had hoped to spend some time with Giovani, but he disappeared as soon as he woke up. He didn't even tell me where he was going, just rushed off in his suit, sounding like he was trying to set a record on saying words per minute in Italian. The only word I caught was idiota.

Luckily, though, I wasn't averse to keeping my own company.

That is, until I heard the slam of the front door. I heard the clacking of Dahlia's heels on the floor as she practically ran up the stairs and I lifted my sunglasses, perturbed by her unusual behavior.

There were a few slams of the doors upstairs and then she was running back downstairs yelling out, "Olive!"

"Yes?" I called out, curiously after the third time she bypassed me.

She halted in her tracks, turning to me with a wide, frantic look.

"There you are!" she breathed out in relief, taking the pool chair beside me. "I almost thought you had been kidnapped or something."

"Why would I be kidnapped?" I asked, shaking my head at the notion, "All the treasures in this house and they take me? Not likely."

But Dahlia didn't laugh like I thought she would.

"Don't sell yourself short," Dahlia said, warningly. "You're my best friend. They could kidnap you to get to me."

"Don't be ridiculous, Dahlia. It's not like you're a crime boss or an assassin," I scoffed, "Your biggest enemy is Stacey from high school, and she's more likely to dump pig's blood on your head." "Very funny," Dahlia rolled her eyes.

"Now, why were you in such a hurry, Dolly? Did something happen?"

"Oh." Dahlia sucked in a breath, looking at me guiltily.

Immediately my sixth sense went off. I knew that look on her face. She'd done something she knew I wouldn't like.

"What did you do?" I asked, trying to stay calm despite my heart upping to six beats per second. "What happened?" "It's not a big deal!" Dahlia said with a huff.

"But?" I prompted.

"But," Dahlia drew it out, with a sheepish smile, "I may have kinda accidentally set you up for a blind date." "You did what?"

I slammed my book closed on the table, turning to her fully as I hitched my sunglasses on top of my head.

"I'm sorry!" Dahlia clasped her hands together, giving me those wide puppy dog eyes but not this time.

"How do you accidentally set someone up for a blind date?" I demanded, crossing my arms. "It doesn't sound like something you can do by accident!"

"Okay, okay," Dahlia relented, biting her bottom lip as she explained. "It goes like this. See, Lorenzo was telling his buddy about me and he mentioned you, and his buddy was interested in you, so he asked me if I could ask you for a double date, but you know how I am. I heard the word date and immediately said yes."

"So why didn't you just tell him to call it off?" I said, annoyed.

"Because he was so excited, and he said his buddy was a really good guy, and I didn't want to go back on my word!" Dahlia pouted, giving me those huge puppy dog eyes. "So just this once, please? For me?"

"Dolly," I groaned, smacking my hand across my forehead. She could be so clueless sometimes.

I couldn't believe she'd dragged me into this. "You know I hate blind dates," I tried to say, but Dahlia had her defense on lock and key.

"It's just this once, I swear. And I'll be there the whole time. If he's a creep, I'll bail you out," Dahlia said firmly.

"But-"

"Please!" Dahlia begged me. "I promise I will owe you any favor you want. Don't make me a liar, Olive."

I hesitated. I really didn't want to do this, especially because of Giovani. Even if Dahlia didn't know, I felt like I was cheating on him by seeing another guy.

But it wasn't exactly like we were officially dating.

Plus, Dahlia was my friend. I couldn't turn my back on a lifetime of friendship. Maybe Giovani would understand. To be honest, I didn't have any other excuses left that wouldn't sound suspicious. I couldn't give away myself and Giovani yet. "Fine," I sighed, relenting.

"YES!" Dahlia grinned, knowing she won as she always did. Then she gazed at my shorts and T-shirt with an eagle-eyed expression. "Hmm, that won't do."

I glanced at my attire, looking at Dahlia's nice dress and curled hair and feeling a bit shabby in comparison.

"What's wrong with my outfit?" I said, defensively. "It's not like we're going out right now."

Dahlia smiled wickedly. "Did I forget to mention the date was tonight? Whoops."

"Dolly!" I gasped, betrayed. She'd conned me.

"It's time for my favorite past-time," Dahlia practically sang, "Olive Dress-Up!"

I groaned, throwing my head onto the back of the chair.

I already regretted this.

I begrudgingly let Dahlia drag me away from my iced tea and book and up the stairs to my room. She thrust a towel at me and practically shoved me into the bathroom as she went to ransack my closet again. I knew the routine by heart. This wasn't the first time Dahlia had played Barbie with me, and I doubt it would be the last.

Dahlia had an outfit waiting for me on the bed when I came out, a low-cut black dress and stockings. I grinned though as I spotted the red cardigan of hers I wanted. I ran my fingers across the soft fabric. "See? I can be nice," Dahlia said once I got changed, approval gleaming in her eyes. She sat me down in the mirror, beginning the most torturous part.

Make-up tools always looked like torture devices to me-the eyelash curler in particular. I had seen so many women rip their eyelashes off by accident with it, but Dahlia was a master at it. "Be gentle," I warned her.

"Don't worry," She smiled. "You don't need a lot of makeup, just some highlights in the right places."

She was true to her word. It felt like only a minute or two before she twirled me around to face the mirror, a bright grin on her face.

"See? You're so pretty," Dahlia gushed, squeezing me from behind.

A smoky eyeshadow, simple pink gloss, some blush, and mascara were all she had done, but it was more than enough. I looked hot.

Dahlia did my hair, and then it was Dahlia's turn. She was quick as a flash as she showered, dressed, and did her own makeup.

By the time she was ready, it was time to go. I sighed as I followed Dahlia down the stairs. I passed by the mirror in the hallway and halted in my tracks.

I looked amazing.

But I didn't want to look amazing for some random guy. I wanted it to be Giovani I was going on a date with.

But that was impossible right now. I couldn't help feeling that this date was going to be a disaster.

I sighed heavily, looking away from my reflection as I headed down the stairs.

"And where are you going?"

I froze in my tracks, my foot mid-air to the next step as I glanced up with wide eyes.

Giovani stood at the bottom of the stairs, right in front of the door. His sleeves were rolled up as he crossed his arms, staring at both me and Dahlia with a hardened look. "Cugino!" Dahlia smiled brightly, holding her hands behind her back as she used her charm to deflect. "Did you just get home? Long day, huh?"

Giovani's eyes flickered from Dahlia to me. There was a look in his eyes that clearly meant he was unhappy.

I bit my bottom lip, joining Dahlia on the bottom step as I tried my best not to look guilty. I gazed at him but he firmly stared at Dahlia, giving me not a single second glance. "Where. Are. You. Going?" He firmly emphasized every word, a warning growl in his throat. I shivered, the tone sending a pool of heat straight to my cunt.

Now wasn't the time, Olivia.

"We're going to see a movie." Dahlia lied as easily as she breathed air. Her innocent smile and slight tilt of her head were enough that even the most decorated detective wouldn't blink an eye.

I wondered which parent she got that from.

Giovani stared at Dahlia for a long, hard minute, but Dahlia wasn't one to back down. She continued to smile, as sweet and innocent as possible.

Finally, he looked over at me, meeting my eyes.

I glanced at Dahlia and then Giovani with a guilty look. I wanted to tell him I was just trying to be a good friend, I was only doing this for Dahlia, and I didn't want to lie to him, but there was only so much you could say in a single glance. "If you don't mind, cousin, We'd like to head to the club now." Dahlia purposefully emphasized the word club, staring him in the eye unblinkingly even as she lied to his face. "Do you have a problem with that?"

Giovani could have been made of stone at this exact moment, and I wouldn't question it one bit, from the look in his eyes to the way he refused to move with even a breath. If I didn't know better, I would have thought he wasn't even breathing, just a statue in our path.

But then, with one last look at me, one as cold as marble, he stepped to the side.

"Thank you, Gio," Dahlia giggled, grabbing my arm before I could say another word.

"Dolly-" I tried to speak up, not willing to leave Giovani when he looked like this, but there was no arguing with Dahlia.

She dragged me out the door. I looked behind me right before the door shut and Giovani's eyes met mine.

For a moment, I thought I saw a hint of emotion flickering in his eyes. The words I wanted him to say reflected in his gorgeous irises before the door cut us off.

Don't go, they said.