Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 610 -

*Caterina*

It always struck me as a little bit odd how into Thanksgiving the family was, considering that none of us celebrated it until the big move to the US. No one would have ever guessed that based on the way everyone acted about it. The week leading up to Thanksgiving was filled with food prep and planning. I helped as much as I could, but I wasn't the most skilled cook.

I wasn't against celebrating by any means. It was a good excuse for everyone to get together, and the food was always incredible. The party was going to run late into the night and end in some drunken hugs and lots of laughter. I always had a good time, and this year I'd be able to join in on the drinking.

I smiled to myself as I thought about it. If there was one thing the family was good at, it was throwing a hell of a party.

I spent the morning cleaning the house until it looked practically new while people buzzed around in the kitchen. Mom was doing most of the cooking, but Olivia had insisted on helping.

When Olivia saw me, she wrapped me in a crushing hug and asked me when I got so grown up. I just laughed nervously at the comment.

It reminded me a little too much of what Elio had said to me, and I was trying really hard to keep myself from thinking about that.

By the time guests started to arrive, the smell of food was driving me crazy. I couldn't wait to eat.

Gio arrived early with a few very nice bottles of wine under his arms.

The last people to arrive were Tallon, Natalia, and their son. Tallon apologized profusely and explained that his son had been difficult when getting ready.

We all laughed when the boy scoffed and loudly informed everyone that Tallon was the one who took forever to do his hair.

It was hard to believe that he was only eight years old. He had his father's serious expression and his mother's biting humor. He was going to be something when he grew up. That was obvious.

Elio was making himself very helpful as the food was brought out to the table. He was smiling sweetly at my mom as he carried out the enormous turkey for her and set it at the head of the table for Gio to carve.

I felt my cheeks flush and I looked away. Everyone was too busy chatting loudly and laughing to notice how awkward I was being, thankfully.

Elio sat down in the chair across from me as Gio stood to carve the turkey. He looked around the table and smiled broadly.

"We have a lot to be thankful for this year," he said proudly. "I'm thankful that each of you are here with us today. Now let's dig in while the food is still hot," he said.

A cheer went up around the table.

Gio was surprisingly good with the carving knife, and in no time at all, serving dishes were being passed around the table. Everyone was heaping their plates with food and complimenting the women who had spent all week preparing the feast.

I was aware that I was taking more food than I could reasonably eat, but I couldn't help it. Each dish that was handed to me looked and smelled so great that I just had to take a little bit of everything. "Caterina, how have you been?" Natalia asked.

She was sitting next to Elio with her son sitting on her other side.

"I'm doing well," I said. "It took some time to get used to being away from home, but I actually like it now."

"That's great," she replied. "That first taste of independence can be intimidating, but it's exciting too. You finally get to do things your own way."

"It's awesome!" I answered. "It's a lot of work, but it's so worth it. I really enjoy the work too, honestly. I love learning new things and challenging myself to look at things in a different way than I'm used to." "You sound like your father," Tallon said fondly.

I felt my smile freeze in place.

Mom laughed. "You have no idea how similar they are," she replied. "Sometimes when she talks, all I can hear is Vinny."

My eyes stung as tears welled up. I stood and muttered, "Excuse me."

I rushed out of the dining room and down the hallway.

I only made it halfway down the hall before I collapsed against the wall and sobbed. My legs felt unsteady, and I was having trouble breathing. It took all of my effort to make it to my room, and even then, I couldn't even take the time to close the door. I just fell against the wall and cried.

I was so frustrated with myself. It had been years since Dad died, but I still couldn't control my emotions whenever people talked about him. I knew I shouldn't be reduced to tears like that so easily. I felt ridiculous and dramatic.

It just felt so wrong to talk about him so casually. There was nothing wrong with it, but any mention of him brought back the memory of his death.

I could still see the heartbroken look in my mom's eyes when she told me he was gone. It felt like the entire universe had stopped turning. I felt sick to my stomach.

I put my hand over my mouth in an attempt to stifle my crying. I didn't want anyone to hear me. I was so embarrassed that I was losing it like that. I had ruined dinner. We were just having a good time and chatting, and I had to go and wreck everything by crying like a baby. I squeezed my eyes shut in frustration.

I thought about him every day. I knew I shouldn't still be this sensitive at the mention of him.

I heard soft footsteps approaching and looked up to replace Elio walking cautiously toward me. I groaned and put my hands over my face.

Just when I thought I couldn't feel more embarrassed... he cautiously stepped into the room and looked at me in concern.

I took a shuddering breath and leaned my back against the wall for support. "I'm sorry," I said. "I just wasn't expecting Dad to be brought up. I wasn't ready for it. I made everyone uncomfortable."

"No," he answered automatically. "It's okay. We all understand. Tallon shouldn't have said-"

"No!" I cut him off. "No, it's not like that. I don't want people to avoid talking about Dad. I don't want him to be "

A sob welled up in my chest and made it hard to speak.

Understanding dawned in Elio's eyes, and he took a step closer to me and gently took my hands in his.

"You don't want him to be forgotten," he said softly.

I nodded, but I was crying too hard to speak.

He pulled me into his arms, and I collapsed against him. He held me up easily and rubbed my back as the sobs ripped through me.

I was so embarrassed that he was seeing me in this state, but I felt safe with him, and I needed to let it out. I didn't know how long I cried on his shoulder, but when I finally calmed down and pulled away, there was a damp spot on his shirt. I felt drained.

Elio didn't release me as I stood straight. He reached up and wiped the tears from my face with the pad of his thumb.

"You are like your dad," he said softly. "You're smart and stubborn. He would be so proud of you. I know that I am." "You are?" I asked incredulously.

He smirked at my tone. "Don't let it go to your head," he teased. "But yeah, I am."

My heart picked up speed and I twisted my fingers together nervously. "Thanks," I muttered.

"Sure," he replied. "Are you feeling alright now?"

I nodded. "Much better. Thanks for...."

I trailed off, not sure how to say what I wanted to express.

"Anytime you want me to hold you, all you have to do is ask," he replied.

My head snapped up and our eyes met.

There was no mistaking the meaning of his words. He was hitting on me.

"How about now?" I replied softly.

Without another word, he pulled me into his arms and pressed his lips to mine. I pushed up into the contact and deepened the kiss immediately.

Elio made a soft sound and flicked his tongue out against my lips. I gasped at the sensation and his tongue brushed against mine.

He tasted like tart wine, and I chased after the taste as I returned the kiss.

His hands moved down my sides and along my hips. I pushed myself tighter against him in response and pulled at his shirt until my hands were against his warm, smooth skin.

The heat that was racing through me was unlike anything I had ever felt before. My fingers were trembling as I trailed my hands up his back.

One of his hands pulled up the bottom of my dress and wrapped around the outside of my thigh. I lifted my leg for him and wrapped it around his hip. He pushed me back into the wall, and the way our bodies pressed together made us both

moan.

I wanted more. I wanted everything. I grabbed the back of his neck and held him close as I kissed him. He pressed his hips against mine and I could feel how aroused he was.

This was crazy. Our entire family was just a few feet away, and we were grinding against each other like horny teenagers.

I should have been mortified, but the threat of getting caught just made it more exciting.

Elio's hand slid from my thigh upward. I shuddered in anticipation. He paused and turned his head toward the dining room.

My breath caught in my throat as he suddenly released me and stepped away. His eyes locked with mine, and for a moment the heat that passed between us made everything else fade away. I wanted him more than I had wanted anyone else, and I could see that he wanted me too.

This was going to be a problem.

"Cat?" Mom's voice called from the dining room. "Are you alright?"

"Fine," I called back, my voice uncontrollably shaky.

I took a step away from the wall and straightened my dress.

He smoothed the front of his shirt and turned to face the door without a word. I watched him step away and tried to force my heart to stop pounding so hard.

I needed to calm down.

I had to go back to the dining room and sit across from him. I had to pretend like none of that had just happened. It seemed like an impossible task.

The entire family was waiting and worrying about me. I couldn't just stay in my room all night.

My mind was racing. Mom was walking toward us. She was going to know that something had just happened between us.

My face was flushed, but I could blame that on the crying. No one was going to ask, anyway. I wasn't sure what I would say if they did. My heart was pounding, and I was confused. What just happened?