Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 52 -

Весса.

Four days passed without another word from James.

Our conversation weighed on my mind a lot, but I found myself busy doing other things to keep myself preoccupied, whether it was enjoying drinks and dinner with Allegra and Neal or simply even just taking time for myself.

I had wondered if Miami was going to leave a nasty taste in my mouth, but in reality, it wasn't. I simply had been too caught up in bullshit to have fun.

Walking down to the cafe near the apartment building, I looked forward to the breakfast tea latte they offered and a blueberry muffin. I was an addict for caffeine, and considering I had been so preoccupied lately, my recurring headaches ended up resulting from no caffeine.

Something I would make up for by the cup full-or twenty.

As the door chimed, I walked in to spot the usual bright, cheerful barista. "Becca... your usual sweetie?" she asked with a smile.

"Yes," I laughed. "Am I that obvious?"

"Oh, sweetie, you are the only person I know that orders that drink."

Raising my brows I gave a tight smile. "Well, people just don't have good taste then."

"Becca!" A familiar voice called out, and turning, I spotted Neal walking towards me.

"What are you doing here?" He had left yesterday for some business, and I hadn't expected that he would be back so soon.

I had honestly thought he was going back to New York and not sticking around Miami.

"Just got back an hour ago and needed a 'pick me up,"" he chuckled. "You too?"

Furrowing my brow in confusion, he gestured to the latte now sitting on the counter.

"Oh! Yes," I giggled. "Sorry, not fully with it yet."

"No problem. I know how that is. I'm exhausted and ready to go home soon."

"Yeah, I didn't think you were coming back to Miami." I took my muffin and latte and watched him follow me to a small cafe table.

"I wasn't going to, but I only had to go over to Tampa, so I drove. I will head out tomorrow night back to New York. Don't worry though, I have a flight for you if you want?" "Neal..." I laughed. "You don't have to take care of me, but thank you for the offer."

Since everything with the gala, Neal had been very sweet. Always paying the bill and being more than helpful in giving me information on places to live when I got back to school.

He was a really nice guy, and I was appreciative, but he confused me.

There was something about him that was conflicting, but I tried to overlook it as him just simply being a very busy man with a good heart.

"I know I don't have to, Rebecca. I just want to make sure you're okay. What kind of man would I be if I didn't help to look out for a pretty woman?"

"You're sweet," I replied, rolling my eyes.

A flash of light out of the corner of my eye caught my attention, and looking down, I noticed a text message came through and frowned.

"What's wrong?" he asked as my eyes met his briefly, and I forced a smile, shaking my head.

"Nothing, just a text from someone."

"Are you not going to open it?" he asked. "I can leave if you want me to."

"Don't be silly. It's from Tally."

His eyes widened as his lips formed an 'O.' "The she-devil herself. I have to say... she was very persistent at the gala to gain my favor."

Having taken a sip of my drink when he said that, I snorted, and caused myself to choke as laughter escaped me. "Oh, my god, yes. Too bad for her you bat for the other team." "Becca..." Neal smirked. "I'm not just into men."

Speechless was something I never thought I would replace myself with Neal. He was a straightforward person, and to hear him say this now surprised me.

"What do you mean? Allegra said you were gay."

Laughter escaped him as he nodded, "Yes, I'm sure she did. However, that's because I want her to think that. I like both men and women. I just don't want her trying to throw women at me so that I can settle down." "I'm sorry, I know this may be personal, but... don't you want to settle down? Have kids and a huge family?" I asked him out of curiosity.

"Of course I do, one day. Right now, though, it wouldn't be good because I'm always traveling for work. Partners don't want someone who is always gone, and I refuse to put that burden on someone. So, if it happens one day, then it does. If not, then so be it."

"That's very considerate of you," I replied after a moment of staring at him.

I had never heard a man say something sweet like that. He was taking his future spouse into consideration without ever knowing them.

"Considerate seems to be my middle name lately," he chuckled as his eyes gazed at my phone again, watching it light up.

As much as I wanted to be drama free, I was very curious to know what Tally was saying, and rolling his eyes, he snatched my phone and opened it.

"Neal, what are you doing?" I said, trying to take my phone back, only to have him hold it out of reach.

"Look, you are obviously too nervous to see what she has to say, and the suspense is killing me, so I will read it for you."

"Oh, Jesus," I laughed. "You're just like your sister. I hope you know that."

He was silent for a moment as he scrolled through the text, and then his eyes lifted to meet mine. I wasn't sure what the look was that he was giving me, but slowly the corner of his lips turned up into a smirk. "Seems the she-devil wants to meet up with you to talk." He held my phone out to me.

"What?" I said with shock. "No way... what the hell would she want to talk about?"

Sure enough, looking at my phone, I couldn't believe my eyes at the message.

'Becca, I know things have been bad between us lately, but I want to meet up and talk. My mom was out of line with how she acted, and I'm done with her bullshit. I'm sorry for flipping out, but it was a lot. I want us to be the way we were before. Will you meet me to talk?'

Reading the message a few times, I sat there hesitant to believe what she was saying was honest. Tally was not the type of person to apologize, and even though she and I had once been close, we weren't anymore.

"What are you going to do?" Neal asked with a concerned look upon his face.

"Honestly, I have no idea. I'm curious, but I know she tends to be full of shit, as well," I replied, setting my phone down.

How was I supposed to even consider meeting her with everything that had happened?

"You could always just go to see if she is being honest.... Either way, it can help you get closer. Of course, that is completely up to you."

Neal had a point.

I was curious, and if I went, that meant I could gain closure on this issue between us. Even if I wasn't entirely in the wrong. "Maybe I should."

Picking up my phone, I took a deep breath and typed.

'I'm surprised to hear from you. How do I know this isn't a trap?'

It was the one thing I wasn't certain of, and to be honest, I wouldn't put it past her to do something like that. After a moment, the message turned from delivered to read.

'Things changed, Becca, and I see now how f*cked up all this has been. My mom is crazy, and when she told me about threatening you, I was done with her. It's one thing to make comments, but to ruin someone's life over a man who doesn't want you... it's pathetic.'

"What's she saying?" Neal said, causing me to look up at him with a smile.

"She's trying to convince me that this isn't a trap, and she thinks her mother's messed up," I replied, causing him to smirk.

"She isn't wrong about that. That woman is nuts."

'Fine. Where am I meeting you? You're home?'

I was out of my mind for agreeing to this, and deep down, my stomach turned with anticipation. It was going to end badly. I just had that gut feeling, but if I was going to accept everything that had happened here this summer, I had to do this. I had to confront her and hash this out. At least then I wouldn't have regrets.

'No. I'm staying at the beach house. Dad and I needed time apart. Will you meet me here tomorrow? We can have drinks and talk about everything.'

Drinks. When was there a time when Tally didn't drink?

Sighing, I replied. 'See you then.'

"Well, that's that. Guess I'm walking into hell tomorrow."

I stood, and Neal joined me as we grabbed our things and made our way outside of the cafe. "You're doing the right thing," he said, nudging me with his shoulder.

"I'm glad you think so." Before smiling, I chuckled, "I hope I don't regret this."

"At least this way you won't regret not doing it," he replied with a pointed look.

I loved the analogy he used to try and see the bright side of things. He may have had a point, but I was literally walking into what I said I wouldn't.

"As much as I want to think positively about this, I can't. I have known this girl since I was eleven, and she is anything but nice. Granted, we always had an understanding, but it still isn't in her character to act like this."

The last time I had seen her act like this was our freshman year of college, and that was when Melissa Ray had stolen Tally's favorite dress and cut it up at a sorority party. That same party, Tally screwed Melissa's long time boyfriend in the pool in front of everyone.

Just to make a point that she can take anything from anyone.

Tally didn't care what people thought about her, and she didn't have many true friends.

I was the only one.... The others just wanted her for her money and connections.

"Life has a way of making things happen for a reason. Have some faith," Neal said, glancing at me. "If things get rough, you can leave with me tomorrow night."

"Oh, how romantic?" I said, rolling my eyes, causing us both to laugh.

However, I may just take him up on that offer if shit hits the fan.