My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 174: Unwanted Responsibility

Felix stood by the window, his sleeves rolled up, eyes scanning the darkened sky beyond the glass. He was about to pour himself a drink when his phone vibrated.

An unknown number.

He frowned. Usually, he’d let it ring out, especially at this hour. But something in his gut told him to answer it.

"Hello?"

There was noise in the background. Music, chatter, and the occasional clink of glasses. Then a man’s voice came through, slightly strained but polite.

"Uh, hello. Is this Mr. Felix Crawford?"

Felix’s brow creased. "Yes. Who is this?"

"I’m Mateo, a bartender at Juniper Lounge. Sorry to bother you, sir, but there’s a woman here. She said she knows you. Miss Lara Johanssen. She’s... well, she’s not in a great state."

Before the man could finish, Felix heard her.

"Feeelix?" came Lara’s slurred voice through the receiver, unmistakably hers and also drunk. "Is that you, Felix? Yesssshhh, you picked up!"

Felix closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Of course it was her.

"Yeah, I’m here," he muttered.

There was a brief shuffle on the other end of the line before the bartender’s voice returned, a little more urgent this time.

"Mr. Crawford, I really hate to disturbing you, but... she’s had too much. Honestly, I think she’s about to pass out."

Felix ran a hand down his face, already dreading what kind of scene she was making. "Great."

Then her voice cut in again, closer and louder this time, clearly she’d snatched the phone.

"My dear Feeeelix," she sang in a sweet tone, dragging out his name like a lullaby, "I’m waiiiting. Hehe."

He groaned under his breath.

The bartender came back on, clearly flustered. "Sir, I’m really sorry. Can you please come get her?"

Felix sighed deeply, as if the weight of the world, or at least one particularly chaotic woman, had landed on his shoulders. "Fine," he muttered. "Text me the address."

"Thank you, sir. I’ll send it right now," the bartender replied quickly, relief washing through his tone. "We’ll keep her safe until you get here."

The call ended with a soft beep.

Felix dropped the phone onto the table for a second, staring at it like it had offended him. Then he leaned back in his chair, exhaled heavily, and looked up at the ceiling.

As the car engine roared to life, Felix gave one last sigh and pulled out of the driveway, heading straight toward Juniper Lounge.

To Lara. Of course it was Lara.

***

Jazz played softly from hidden speakers, and the scent of cologne, alcohol, and burnt citrus from the garnish tray clung to the air.

Felix walked in, immediately catching the attention of the bartender who raised a hand in greeting.

"Over there," he gestured toward the corner booth.

And there she was.

Lara, in all her drunken glory, was draped over the booth like a discarded silk scarf. Her dress was slightly wrinkled, and her heels dangled from her toes. Her long hair was tousled, and her eyes lit up when they met his.

"FELIX!" she called, throwing her arms up as if he were a long-lost lover.

He approached with a blank expression. "You’re drunk."

She giggled, scooting to the edge of the booth and nearly falling over in the process. "A little. Maybe a lot. But I knew you’d come for me."

Felix ignored that and held out a hand. "Let’s go. You’re causing a scene."

Lara took his hand, standing shakily. As soon as she was on her feet, she leaned into him, her body practically melting against his side.

"Mmm, you’re warm," she murmured. "You smell good. Why do you always smell good?"

Felix kept his jaw tight as he guided her toward the exit, ignoring the eyes that followed them. Once outside, the cooler air hit them like a balm, though it did little to sober her up.

"Where should I drop you? Same hotel as last time?"

Lara looked up at him with a pout. "Ugh, please. Who lives in a hotel?"

Felix quirked an eyebrow. "You do. Or did."

"Not anymore!" she said proudly, swaying a little as she stepped ahead of him. "I bought a house! Isn’t that amazing?"

"Great. Where is it?"

She paused. Then blinked. Then frowned.

"I... don’t remember."

Felix closed his eyes for a beat. Of course she didn’t.

"Just fantastic."

"Well," she declared with a dramatic spin, "if I can’t remember where I live... let’s just stay here!"

Felix narrowed his eyes. "Here? In the parking lot?"

"No, silly. In the bar!" She threw her hands up like she’d just made a genius-level suggestion. "We can sleep behind the counter, drink forever, and become legends. Yey!"

He stared at her flatly. "Don’t tempt me to pour a bucket of ice water over your head."

Lara clutched his arm, eyes wide with mock horror. "You wouldn’t!"

Felix’s jaw ticked. "I absolutely would."

He paused, eyes narrowing as a thought struck him. Actually... that’s not a bad idea.

Just as he mentally entertained the image of finding a bucket and shocking some sense back into her, Lara took advantage of his silence. She gave a cheerful, "Come on then!" and tried pulling him back toward the entrance of the lounge.

Only, she moved, and he didn’t.

Her momentum faltered when she realized his feet were planted firmly on the pavement. Lara tugged again, but Felix stood like a marble statue.

"Oh, come on, Felix," she whined, swaying slightly as she gave him her best pleading look. "It’ll be fun! Who needs sleep when there’s alcohol?"

He didn’t respond right away. Instead, he glanced toward his car, then back at her, disheveled, starry-eyed, and tipsy beyond reason. They couldn’t just stand out here all night, and he doubted the bar staff would let her sleep on the floor no matter how charming she thought she was.

They were in limbo. And unfortunately, he was the only one of them in any shape to do something about it.

He exhaled a long, tired breath and muttered under it, "God, fine."

Before she could react, Felix turned her by the shoulders and gently but firmly guided her toward the car, opening the passenger door with a click.

"Get in," he ordered.

"Ooooh, where are we going?" she asked, climbing in clumsily, her dress getting caught on the edge of the seat.

"You’re going to sleep," he said bluntly.

As he helped her tuck her legs in and closed the door, Felix rubbed his temples. What was he doing?

He walked around to the driver’s side, muttering to himself, "Let’s hope I don’t regret this."