Chapter 15
I t was a hell of a coincidence.
Just as Andres’s mother asked him about who had been taking up so much of his time, Layla texted him and asked if they could talk.
After sending her the address so she could pull up, he told his mother, “She’s on her way over here now.”
“Are you two dating?” his mother asked, stabbing her fork into a Brussel sprout.
He’d never liked them, but that didn’t stop her from cooking them at least once a week.
Andres wouldn’t complain, though.
He was just taking full advantage of not having to cook every other day.
That would be changing soon, though.
Andres had already started looking at houses.
He might not have expected Layla and Dior to move in with him any time soon, but Andres wanted to make sure they knew they would always have a place in his heart, head, and home.
“Not really.” Andres avoided everyone’s eyes as he muttered, “She’s a client.”
“Oh. Is she autistic?”
Trevor chuckled, and their father shook his head.
“No, Ma. Her daughter is. Dior. I’ve told you about her.”
“Oh, yes. I remember. You and the mother have gotten close?”
Andres shrugged, unsure how much he really wanted to tell.
Technically, he wasn’t supposed to pursue anything romantic with Layla or any of his clients mothers for that matter.
Things seemed to be beyond his control when it came to Layla, though.
“I guess you could say that.”
“Hmph.”
“What does hmph mean?”
She smiled softly and shrugged.
“Nothing for now. I just want to meet her. Make sure she’s nothing like that damn Veronica.”
“Whew,” Trevor released with a shake of his head.
“That bit—”
“Watch your mouth, boy,” Marilyn demanded, swatting the back of his head.
“My fault, Ma. That woman was crazy. I’m surprised she hasn’t popped back up yet.”
“She’s not going to because I got that restraining order. Veronica is crazy but she’s not stupid. She’s not going to risk going to jail for anything.”
“Good.” His mother’s chin tilted as she added, “If she comes around again, she’ll have to deal with me.”
“Here you go,” his father, Dedrick, grumbled before chuckling.
“Don’t even talk about her around your mother. You do remember our no fraternization clause though, right?” his father confirmed.
“Yeah,” was all Andres offered.
He knew that eventually he’d have to make them aware of the changes between him and Layla or bring someone else in as Dior’s aide.
Until Layla was divorced and free to be his, Andres didn’t want to worry his family with their situation just yet.
So far, he’d kept the center from being liable in any way because they weren’t accepting any payment for his services.
She didn’t know it, but everything he’d been doing was technically off the clock and on his personal time.
By the time they’d finished dinner Layla was pulling up.
Instead of bringing her inside immediately, he went out to her red Genesis G70.
If something was bothering her, the last thing she needed was to be the center of his family’s attention.
They were playful and loving but a bit much at times.
Losing Emily had weaved them together even closer, and Andres wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.
“Hey,” she greeted as he closed the door behind himself.
“You good?”
“Mhm,” she agreed, smiling widely.
“Can I have some suga?”
“You know you never have to ask.”
Andres gripped her chin and connected his lips with hers.
He didn’t realize how much he’d needed this…
her…
until she was there.
Once they pulled away, Layla rested her forehead on his and sighed.
“I missed you.”
He smiled softly.
“I missed you too.”
“It’s funny because I went my whole life without you a little over a month ago, and now having two days pass without you seems suffocating. I legit feel like it’s easier to breathe now that I’m with you. Maybe because you make my heart feel safe.”
Pulling away, Layla avoided his eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“I met with Carlos earlier.”
“How did that go?”
“He’s willing to put the house in my name and everything else I asked if Dior gets a new aide.”
His heart pinched.
“If that’s what it takes.”
She chuckled and crossed her arms over her chest.
“She shouldn’t have to have her normal changed all over again just because her father is being difficult.”
“That’s true, but until you’re free of him, we gotta do what we gotta do. At the end of the day, Dior is my main priority…”
“Which is exactly why you have to continue working with her,” Layla continued, grabbing his arm.
“I know your team is great, but you’re better. He should want the best for his daughter.”
“I’m sure he does, but not if that also means wanting the best for his wife too.” Layla’s shoulders hung as she sighed.
“You know like I know this is about us, not Dior.”
“I know and that’s what upsets me. I don’t like the idea of him controlling me in this manner. If Dior was genuinely in danger or not getting the help she needed, I would end our arrangement with no hesitation. But she’s thriving, Andres, and it just so happens that… I’m thriving because of you too. It’s not fair that he gets to come in and ruin that. Haven’t I given up enough because of him?”
Andres smiled before placing a kiss to her nose.
“Under different circumstances, I would fight for you… for us… with no hesitation. But we have to make sure Dior gets what she needs above all. I don’t want to be the reason she has to adjust in a new home on top of starting a new schoolyear while trying to make new friends just because her father is intimidated by me and what we could have. If he wants me gone… we have to give him that. But when your divorce is finalized, I’ll be your man and her friend. There won’t be anything he can do to stop that.”
“Something is telling me he will find a way. I have a week to give him my decision. As long as he doesn’t try anything by then, I guess I’ll be okay with you getting a replacement just as long as you don’t completely turn away from us.”
Andres didn’t reply right away.
He couldn’t.
No matter how much he wanted Layla, he was going to do whatever was best for Dior.
It wouldn’t surprise him if Carlos tried to fight for custody if he couldn’t keep them apart.
If that meant they couldn’t see each other anymore…
as much as it would hurt…
that’s what they would have to do.