Layla – Present
I pull into the construction site where Jacob’s working today, switch off the engine, and reach for my bag, along with the lunch I made for us both.
There’s a small office on the site that’s soon to become a new hotel.
Jacob told me last night over dinner that the Broadmans have made their decision.
This hotel will be one of many built across the country by Keith and Jacob’s company.
They’re supposed to sign the contract soon, once that happens, everything will start moving forward.
A group stands around a table near the site, Jacob beside Keith, across from two men in suits and a woman in a fitted, high necked blue dress.
Keith gestures toward the site and then to something on the table. I approach slowly, unsure if I should interrupt.
Jacob turns when he sees me and grins.
He wraps his arm around my waist as I reach his side. “Layla, this is Jim, Michael, and Brianna Broadman.”
They all smile and shake my hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, Layla,” Jim says.
They go back to discussing the project. I can feel Keith staring at me, and I do my best to ignore it. I haven’t seen much of him since Jacob and I started dating, and the look on his face tells me he’s still not thrilled about it.
“The contract needs to be signed in the presence of our lawyer,” Jim says.
“That’s in New York, right?” Keith asks.
Michael nods.
Keith turns to Jacob. “You good to take this one?”
“Of course.”
“I’ve got surgery scheduled for next month,” Keith explains. “I won’t be able to fly.”
“That’s a pity,” Jim replies. “You’ll miss the celebratory dinner.” He grins at Jacob. “I’ll have my assistant email you the details.”
“Why don’t you join us, Layla?” Brianna asks.
“Oh, no. I wouldn’t want to interrupt.”
“You wouldn’t be,” she says kindly.
I look at Jacob. Keith shifts his weight beside him. Everyone’s staring now, and I’m starting to feel uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry,” Brianna says. “I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.” She looks to Jim and Michael. “But really, you’re more than welcome to join us.”
Thankfully, the conversation moves back to hotel plans, and Keith stops glaring.
Eventually, the Broadmans leave with plans to meet Jacob in New York next month. I like the idea of going, though I didn’t want to agree before making sure it’s okay first. Jacob might be fine with it, but I don’t want to annoy Keith.
“They seem nice,” I say.
“Nice but hard to pin down,” Keith replies. “I don’t blame them for being cautious. If it wasn’t for Mikah’s company, we’d have signed this deal a long time ago.” He turns to leave, then pauses. “I’ll see you tonight, Jacob?”
Jacob glances at me, then says, “We’ll both be there tonight.”
Keith looks surprised.
“Irena’s been asking to meet Layla,” Jacob adds.
“Then I guess I will see you both tonight,” Keith says, sounding noticeably less enthusiastic.
He walks off toward his car, and Jacob rolls up the plans on the table, then lock them away in the office.
I sit on the hood of my car and wait for him. When he joins me, he hops up beside me.
“Dinner with Keith?”
He smiles, tearing open a sandwich wrapper and taking a bite. “Irena asks me about you every week.”
“She’s not mad at me?” I pull out the container of salad from my bag, offering it to him.
He looks at me, brushing a crumb from his lip. “Keith isn’t mad at you, Layla.”
I shrug, poking my food with a fork. I’m not so sure that’s true.
Blowing out a breath, I change the subject. “New York?”
He leans back. “I want you to come,” he says. “If you want to, that is.”
I grin, wiping my hands on a napkin. “Yeah, I want to.”
He reaches over to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear before his lips meet mine.
***
I must have changed my outfit six times and I’m still not settled on my choice.
The room is covered in all the clothes that didn’t make the cut.
I step over a pile and grab my phone off the charger.
I glance at myself in the mirror. I can’t decide whether I should dress up for dinner or dress down.
I know I’m overthinking, it’s only dinner at Keith’s house, but I don’t want him thinking I put no effort in.
I grab a pale yellow broderie sun dress from the pile that’s accumulated on my bed and change, again.
I have the zipper halfway up when I hear a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
I pull it the rest of the way and go back to the mirror. I’m not sure I like this one either.
“Jacob’s in the kitchen,” Mabel says. “Oh don’t you look lovely.”
I turn to her. “Do you think it’s okay?”
She smiles. “I think you might be overthinking, dear.”
I sigh. “I want to make a good impression.”
She gives me a timid smile and sits on the end of the bed. “He’d have to be blind not to see how much you care for Jacob.” She picks up my bag from the pile and hands it to me. “Good luck, dear, and don’t forget the cake!”
When we arrive at Keith’s, Jacob walks through the front door without knocking.
I can already smell the food from the kitchen.
Keith’s house is similar to Jacob’s in layout, but slightly bigger.
We walk up a few steps into the open hallway, then down a couple more into the kitchen.
Keith is taking out a roast chicken out of the oven while his wife, Irena, sets out cutlery on a large twelve seat dining table.
“Jacob!” she smiles. “And this must be Layla.” She sets down a fork, then walks over to us and wraps her arms around me in greeting.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you,” she says, her smile reaching her eyes.
“It’s nice to meet you too. Jacob has told me lots about you.”
“Oh,” she laughs, “I hope you didn’t tell her anything bad.” She looks down at the cake in Jacob’s hands and smiles. “You didn’t have to bring anything.”
She takes the cake box from him and sets it down on the counter, peeking inside. “I can’t wait to taste it. I’ve heard a lot about your baking.” She gestures for us to sit at the table.
Jacob sits beside me and puts his hand on my knee, squeezing gently. “See,” he says, “everything’s fine.”
Keith sets down the plates, then sits beside Irena. He takes a large gulp of wine and picks up his cutlery.
“Layla,” Irena starts just as I’m about to take my first bite. I set my fork down and give her my full attention. “Jacob has been telling us about your bakery. It’s been a while since this town has had anything exciting happen. When are you planning on opening?”
“Soon, hopefully,” I answer. “I’m still waiting on the tables to arrive, there’s been a hold up with the company I bought them from.”
“Oh, that always happens. Well, I’m looking forward to it when you do open.”
I take my first bite, then Irena starts talking again. “Have you found anywhere to live yet?”
I shake my head.
She nods. “Rentals are hard to come by in this town, most people rent long term.”
She turns her attention to Jacob. “Keith was telling me about New York.” She smiles at him.
Jacob looks at Keith. “Did you see the email from Jim’s assistant?”
Keith nods. “I saw your reply as well.” He looks at me.
“You’re going too, Layla?” Irena asks.
I nod and she smiles.
“Have you ever been before?”
“No, but I’ve always wanted to.”
“Oh, you’re going to love it, so are you, Jacob. It’ll be nice for both of you to get away together.” She pauses. “You should stay a few extra days and see more of the city.”
The conversation shifts back to the Broadmans, and Keith barely looks at me the rest of the dinner.
I help Irena clear the plates when she offers to cut the cake. Keith excuses himself and goes outside through the sliding glass doors.
I push the cake around on my plate without taking a bite, while Jacob and Irena talk more about New York. She’s been six times and is telling him all the good places to go.
I stare at the glass doors, then push my chair back and stand. Jacob looks at me. I tell him I’ll be right back. When he opens his mouth to protest, Irena starts talking. She glances up at me and winks.
Keith is sitting on a deck chair overlooking a pool. The forest his backyard backs onto is the same one behind Jacob’s house, just on the opposite side.
“Can we talk?” I ask.
He turns at the sound of my voice and points to the chair next to him. I sit down, suddenly not feeling as brave.
“It’s a free country, Layla,” he says.
I sigh. “I’m sorry.” I start, “I know that’s not enough, but I am sorry, Keith.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought if I had done something differently that night, maybe none of it would have happened.
But it did, and I can’t fix that. I can only promise that I will never allow anything to hurt him again. ”
He rubs along his jaw, keeping his eyes on the trees in front of us, then sighs.
“I want to like you, Layla,” he says. “You didn’t see it,” he pauses, “you didn’t see what it did to him.
” He shakes his head, then silence follows.
It drags on, and I don’t know if I should fill it or let it speak the words we aren’t saying to each other.
He looks at me for the first time.
“He loves you.”
“I know.”
“And I know you love him.” He blows out air and smirks a little. “You wouldn’t be out here talking to me if you didn’t,” he says, then straightens in his chair, his eyes staring into mine. “It’s going to take time, Layla.”
I nod.
The corner of his lip tilts upward. “But we’ll get there.”