Daddy's Best Friend

24

CHAPTER 24

HENRY’S POV

I sat at my desk, staring at the computer screen but not really seeing anything. My mind was elsewhere, lost in a maze of thoughts and doubts. What had I done last night, and how had it affected Sophia? It was a question that had been nagging at me since the moment I'd walked into my office that morning.

The sound of my ringing phone snapped me out of my reverie. I glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was Layla. A mixture of relief and guilt washed over me. I hadn't called or texted her after our date last night, and now she was calling me. I quickly picked up the phone.

"Hey, Layla," I greeted, trying to sound as casual as possible.

"Hey, Henry," she replied in an equally casual tone. "I was just wondering how Sophia's doing. You left our date pretty abruptly last night."

Her words hit me like a gentle reprimand, and I felt even worse. "I'm sorry about that, Layla. Sophia... well, she had a bit of a rough night, and I needed to make sure she was okay."

There was a pause on the other end, and then Layla's voice softened. "Is she okay now?"

I sighed, relieved that Layla didn't sound angry. "Yeah, she's fine now. Thanks for asking."

Layla chuckled lightly. "Well, I guess I can't compete with a damsel in distress, can I?"

I couldn't help but smile at her teasing. "You have a point there. So, how can I make it up to you? Another babysitter disaster is definitely off the table."

Layla laughed, and the sound was like music to my ears. "Fair enough. How about we try this again? Let's go out for dinner, just the two of us, and this time, no unexpected interruptions."

I felt a sense of relief and gratitude wash over me. Layla was giving me a second chance, and I wasn't about to mess it up. "That sounds perfect, Layla. When are you free?"

We quickly made plans for dinner the next day. As we finalized the details, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation and excitement. Maybe this was a chance to move past the complicated mess of my life and focus on something simple and enjoyable for a change.

After we hung up, I leaned back in my chair and sighed. The weight of my actions and emotions from last night still hung over me, but at least I had a chance to make amends with Layla. As for Sophia, well, her intentions and feelings remained as mysterious as ever. Was she pretending not to know what had happened between us, or was she truly oblivious?

I shook my head, realizing that I might never fully understand Sophia. She was a puzzle, a puzzle with missing pieces. But for now, I needed to focus on what was in front of me – a dinner date with Layla. Maybe, just maybe, it would be a step in the right direction, a break from the never-ending drama that seemed to surround my life.

I had been avoiding Lynda all morning, not wanting to face her questions or her relentless teasing. She was like a dog with a bone when it came to my personal life, and today, I just wasn't in the mood for it. But of course, she wouldn't let me off the hook that easily.

As I sat in my office, trying to lose myself in work, Lynda walked in without bothering to knock. She had a sly smile on her face, and I knew that I was in for it.

"Hey there, Henry," she greeted, her tone dripping with amusement. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you've been avoiding me all morning."

I sighed, not bothering to deny it. "Maybe I have been. What's it to you?"

Lynda chuckled and sauntered over to my desk, leaning against it as if she owned the place. "So, spill the beans. How was your date with Layla? I want all the juicy details."