Chapter 5
Layla
Dressed in a pale yellow short and tank top pajama set decorated with small white daisies and a tiny lace bow at the middle of the scoop neckline, I smile at my reflection in the bathroom mirror.
Maybe I’m the only one who sees me wearing them, but these pajamas leave me feeling sexy and confident.
After tonight, I need that feeling. Plus, they’re incredibly comfortable.
Sighing, I return to the couch and grab my book, reaching for a fluffy white blanket just as the doorbell rings. Tossing the fabric to the side, I jump up, striding for the door. “Chloe, I told you not to come,” I call.
Without looking, I yank the door open and my jaw drops. A sheepish Levi stands before me, his arms full of bags. “Not Chloe.”
“Definitely not,” I grumble, frowning. Pushing the door, I attempt to slam it in his face.
His foot juts out, blocking it before it closes. “Please wait, Layla. I just want to apologize and then if you want me gone I’ll leave.”
“Fine,” I mutter, too tired to argue. Spinning on my heel, I return to my spot on the couch, tucking my legs underneath me. Crossing my arms over my chest, I narrow my eyes and bite my tongue, sitting quietly.
He steps inside and closes the door behind him, setting the bags down on the coffee table in front of me before he hands me a bouquet of pink and white carnations.
“I was hoping to find you some white lilies, but I didn’t have a lot of options in town, especially at this time of night. This is all the grocery store had.”
“Why lilies?” I ask, curious.
Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he cocks his head to the side and watches me from underneath his long eyelashes. I refuse to be swayed by his boyish charm. “They mean forgiveness and that’s something I’m begging you for.”
I purse my lips, trying not to visibly react no matter how sweet I think the gesture. “You were a jerk at dinner. Why now?”
“Because I was wrong.”
Slightly stunned, I sit up straight. “Did you just say you were wrong? After tonight, I didn’t peg you as a man who admits his faults.”
Wincing, he wipes his hand down his face and drops it to his side.
“I’m sorry, Layla. It’s no excuse but the world I live in can be toxic.
A lot of people I’ve encountered will do whatever it takes to get what they want, manipulating and trampling everyone in their path, no matter the consequences. ”
“That’s just sad.”
“I’m not going to argue with you there.”
“What did you even think I was trying to do?”
He grimaces peeking up at me as he admits, “Use me to help get you a job.”
“That’s not something I would ever do.” I shake my head.
He smirks, his gaze alight with mischief when he taunts, “What about use me for sex?”
I snort, quickly covering my mouth, while my face turns a deep shade of red. Shaking it off, I ask, “What made you change your mind?”
“My aunt and uncle told me who your brother is.”
I nod in understanding, but that doesn’t mean I deserved to be treated like crap.
I’ve had enough of that to last me a lifetime and I’m not about to put up with it ever again.
My shoulders slump. “You know, even without my brother, I was being completely genuine. You shouldn’t judge people so quickly. ”
“You’re right. All I can do is say I’m sorry and try to make it up to you.”
Staring at him, I see nothing but sincerity and regret shining in his eyes. Exhaling slowly, my body starts to relax, letting it go. “Okay, fine. I forgive you.”
Levi grins brightly, the look making my breath hitch. “Thank you, Layla. I brought dinner since we never got a chance to eat.” He reaches for the bags of food and begins unloading everything onto the coffee table before I say another word. “I went back to the diner. Hopefully I got it right.”
My lips twitch up in amusement. “I said I forgive you, but I didn’t say you could stay or that I wanted to finish our date.”
His face falls and he rubs the back of his neck, tilting his head and giving me a sheepish look. “Oh, ah...”
Giggling, I let him off the hook. “I’m kidding, Levi. Sit. I’m hungry.” I gesture towards the other end of the couch.
He breathes a sigh of relief and hands me my dinner before sitting down with a container of food. “I deserved that.”
“This is probably better than being at the diner anyway with the whole town watching us like we were their own personal reality TV show.”
“The table behind you never took their eyes off of us.”
I laugh. “They’re all part of the book club that set us up.”
“Does that mean they had to stare at us?”
“I’m pretty sure they scheduled the date early so they could all be there to watch and attempt to eavesdrop on our conversation.”
He chuckles. “So, then you don’t try to get the early bird special with the seniors every time you go out to dinner?”
A snort escapes and I cover my mouth in embarrassment once again. “Sorry,” I mutter, taking a bite of food.
“It’s cute.”
Glancing at his lopsided grin, I fight not to roll my eyes. His gaze skims over me from head to toe, giving me goosebumps. He gulps hard and clenches his jaw, lifting his liquid gold eyes to mine.
My nipples harden, suddenly reminding me of the thin fabric barely covering my flesh. Setting the food down, I scramble to yank the blanket over me before setting my container back in my lap and taking a bite.
“Cold?”
I nod and change the subject. “So, Levi, what do you do when you’re not playing baseball?”
He shrugs. “During the offseason, I usually help out at camps or do motivational talks. The camps are fun, but that’s not an option right now with my arm and the talks are more of an obligation.”
“I get that, but can’t you do the camps without playing?”
“Sure, but honestly, it’s not easy to hold myself back from jumping in with the kids. Besides, they want to play baseball with us not just have us tell them what to do.”
“I’m sure it’s all a dream come true.”
His gaze drops to his food and he takes a bite, suddenly lost in his head. “Maybe.”
Hoping to bring him back to the present, I change the subject. “Do you like music?”
“Yeah.”
“Movies? TV shows?”
“Of course.”
“You’re really not making this easy. It helps if you add a little bit of context to your answers. Are you sure you’re the guy who’s splashed all over the media as the player? You don’t have much game.”
His head falls back in laughter, the deep sound sending a chill right through me.
He glances at me, his eyes sparkling. “Guess I’m used to remaining closed off.
I’ve never had to try.” I scoff and he continues, “I told you those women go after me without me doing a damn thing. Every single one of them usually only want something from me.”
“Well, now you know, I’m not that kind of woman, so if you want your apology to stick, at least pretend like you’re not a superficial jackass.”
“Ouch.”
I shrug, nonapologetic. “Look, you don’t have to be here. We went on a date and it didn’t work. It’s fine. It happens all the time. You can tell your aunt and uncle I forgave you, but we don’t have to pretend to be interested.”
“Believe it or not, I’m not pretending. I am captivated by you.” I arch my eyebrows, surprise and doubt coloring my thoughts. “You’re beautiful, Layla. You don’t give a damn who I am and you obviously don’t put up with any bullshit.”
Pushing my shoulders back, I emphasize, “I don’t go out with players either.”
“Looks like we already broke that rule.” He gives me a crooked smile. “Technically, I’m no longer a player.”
“You’ve made that painfully obvious,” I tease, not able to keep a straight face.
He laughs before he brings his gaze back to mine, his eyes sparkling. “So, since you’re not in danger of falling for me, go on another date with me and let me do better.”
My breath catches. Delaying my response, I take a bite of the food in front of me, not tasting it as I chew. After a moment of silence, I swallow, glancing at him, his eyes still glued to me.
Before I realize what I’m saying, words spew from my lips, “I’ll think about it.”
He grins wide, causing my stomach to flip-flop. “That’s all I ask. Would you like some dessert?”