Chapter 6
Layla
BELLA
*photo attachment*
LAYLA
stop
that is the cutest photo I’ve ever seen
BELLA
I found Emmy snuggled up in Kieran’s arms this morning on the couch, both dead to the world
LAYLA
they even sleep in the same position
how come they’re on your couch?
BELLA
Kieran called it a big ‘sleepover’ to try and make it fun for Emmy
LAYLA
I hate to admit this
something tells me he’s going to be utterly adorable with her
BELLA
he already is
he’s going to do everything and anything for that little girl
he bought the house across the road from us
LAYLA
wait what???
BELLA
yep, apparently took one look at his apartment and walked out and bought a house for her
I don’t know about you, but my heart is melting
This is either going to be the best decision of my life or the worst.
Kieran and I barely scratched the surface of what my duties would entail, his parenting style—although that one comes down to the fact he doesn’t even know yet—my hours, what I’d help with, and what I’d take a backseat on.
Does he want help around the house as well, or will he hire a cleaner?
Hell, we didn’t even talk about my salary and yet here I am, driving toward his house, my heart pounding a ferocious beat because I equal parts hate and love when Kieran flirts with me, and flirt he will.
He made that very clear last night in Target…and on the ride home.
As I turn into Kieran’s driveway, I know I’ve made the right decision to come over uninvited and help.
Parked across and taking up the majority of the cobblestone driveway is a large delivery truck.
Grayson is hauling boxes down the ramp while two movers trail behind him, carting what seems to be part of a sectional sofa.
At the sound of my door shutting, Grayson’s head whips up, a grin spreading across his cheeks. “Hey! Bella didn’t say you were stopping by.”
Slinging my purse over my shoulder, I meet him by the front door, stepping out of the way of the two delivery drivers, dripping with sweat. “Figured I could lend a hand. I assumed things would be a bit hectic.”
Grayson blows out a breath as he puts the box down on the floor between us. “We could use it. He decided to get everything brand new.” Which is evident by the truck behind him, still half full. “I’d usually call the team for help when there’s this much to move but…”
“He hasn’t told them yet?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Not yet. I think he wants to feel settled before telling them.”
“Fair enough. I’m sure he isn’t ready to answer all their questions too.” Turning to the truck, I murmur, “He really didn’t bring anything from his old apartment?”
Grayson’s bemused laugh rings out. “Nothing besides the clothes in his wardrobe.”
My brows rise. I wonder why he’d add extra stress of ordering new furniture on top of everything.
I peer over Grayson’s shoulder, checking no one is around before lowering my voice. “How’s he doing?”
Grayson pauses. “If I’m being honest, I think it will take a while for his head to stop spinning.”
“I can imagine.” Looking into the house, I spot Bella round the corner, opening a pile of boxes and unwrapping items. “How’s B doing?”
If I thought the smile he greeted me with was big, it’s nothing compared to the pure joy on his face as he turns and sets his sights on his girl.
“She has good and bad days, but I think the heaviest has passed,” he admits softly, talking about Bella’s grief.
“It never completely fades but I think she’s climbed out of the deepest trenches of it. ”
Something tells me he isn’t just talking about Bella’s grief but his own. The memory of Drew must be stinging with everything that’s going on. Bella told me the three of them—Grayson, Drew, and Kieran—were as close as if they were all blood brothers.
Kieran must be missing him dearly.
“It really is like losing a limb, thinking it’s there when it’s not.” I’m not sure why, maybe because I feel like I can’t admit this to Bella out of fear of upsetting her, but I find myself confessing, “I miss Trish so much. It’s weird not to be at her house anymore.”
Grayson’s smile is sad. “She was a beautiful woman.”
“That she was.” Taking a shuddering breath, I try to shake off the sadness that always overcomes me when I think of Bella’s mom and her passing. “I’m going to head inside and help. Give a shout if you need anything!”
Taking off, I note how different Kieran’s house is compared to Grayson’s.
Right past the entryway, the living and dining rooms stretch out to the back patio, with the kitchen being nestled and tucked inside to the left.
Grayson and Bella filled their house with warmth, but with deep rich wood and trim work designs, Kieran’s comes with it.
As if the house is a character all on its own, the beauty of it in its base, not the decor.
“Beautiful,” I whisper.
Someone shrieks, and suddenly, Bella’s happy face is rushing for me. “Ahh! I’m so glad you stopped in! I was just about to text you.” As she wraps her arms around me, I soak up her warmth, still savoring the hugs we can finally give each other again.
“Put me to work. How can I help?” I ask.
I can finally be the type of person that can carry my weight without getting hit by lethargy or a skyrocketing heart rate twenty minutes in.
I’ve even started helping my mom clean the house, which might sound so odd and mundane to most, but I used to get dizzy just from looking down and pushing the vacuum.
Who would have ever thought I’d be excited to vacuum?
Bella looks around the space littered with boxes and half put-together furniture before her head cranes to the backyard. Following her gaze, I spot Kieran sitting on the grass, his arms slung over his knees as he watches Bambi chase Emmy around the yard.
“You know what, Grayson and I have this. Kieran paid extra to have the delivery guys put the furniture together so once they unload, it will honestly be super busy in here.” A knowing glint shines in her brown eyes before she turns and starts to retie her ponytail.
“Why don’t you go outside with Kieran and Emmy? ”
I frown. “There’s so much to do here though.”
She waves me off, moving onto a box and pulling out pieces of what will soon resemble a chair. “I think Kieran could use the company. He’s been in his head a lot.” She points a finger at me. “Plus, you two need to get on the same page about your roles.”
“We do,” I admit.
Her smile widens. “Then off you go!”
I can’t help but feel like she’s scheming in some way, but at the end of the day, I should be making sure Emmy feels comfortable being left alone with me.
Bella doesn’t give me a chance to put up a fight, joining Grayson and the delivery drivers. I take that as my cue and step outside onto the dark wood porch. Kieran’s yard doesn’t have a view of the mountains like Grayson’s does; instead, it overlooks a large forest, and my god is it breathtaking.
Kieran does a double take when I sit next to him before a grin slowly spreads across his face. “Can’t get enough of me, can you, sunshine?”
My brows rise. “Sunshine?”
“You said I couldn’t call you Red.”
I roll my eyes. “My name would suffice.”
“Hmm,” he hums before drawling, “I beg to differ. I love your name rolling off my tongue, but I think sunshine suits you.”
A squeal rings out through the yard, drawing my attention to Emmy running around, Bambi close on her heels. She’s wearing one of the dresses we bought her last night, the soft pink pastel falling below her knees.
“She looks so…”
“Carefree?”
“Yeah,” I breathe. “It’s so different to how she was yesterday. I mean, granted, she spoke to me, but that still took a lot of convincing.”
“It’s Bambi. I swear, those two took one look at each other and that was it. I’ve never seen a dog bring out a kid’s personality like she has with Emmy.”
I can tell what he means by that. She was giggling with me, but it was quiet and hidden behind her thumb. Now, her smile is wide, her dimples on full display. Emmy looks like any other kid her age playing with a dog, certainly not one whose life was just flipped on its axis.
“Bambi’s a better parent than I am.”
Kieran’s declaration jars me so much I end up glaring at him. “Hey, don’t say that. You’re doing amazing so far.”
“So far,” he mumbles.
“Kieran, most people would have buckled under the weight of the cards you’ve just been dealt, but you have stepped up in every possible way. Don’t discredit that.”
My words create a tension I can’t put a finger on, one that fills between us. He’s staring at me as if he’s trying to discern if I’m telling the truth or not.
Kieran gets compliments all the time. Women throw themselves at him and he laps it up. Why is this compliment such a difficult pill to swallow?
He grins suddenly, a playfulness entering his gaze. “Didn’t realize you were such a fan of mine.” He leans back on his hands. “I couldn’t even get so much as a text back for over a year and yet now here you are singing poetry about me. I’m flattered.”
Snorting out a laugh before I can stop it, I mutter, “Glad to have you back. You were getting too serious there for a moment.”
His grin turns into a full-blown smirk. “So you do like my company. I knew it.”
I move my gaze forward, knowing that if I locked eyes with his mischievous glint, I’d blush. “Whatever lies make you happy.”
He slides down until he’s propped up on his elbows. “You texting me back would have made me happy.”
I scoff. “I’m sure one of your many puck bunnies will text you back and curb your appetite for flirting.”
“None of them entertain me like you do.”
I smack a hand to my chest. “Oh Kieran, I’m so flattered! That’s what every girl wants to hear!”
“I’m serious.”
“So was I.”
His eyes narrow as he searches my face. “Do you really think I’m doing okay?” he asks. “I mean, I know it’s only been two days but…”