10
Liam
Layla is a vision in her blue sweater and black overcoat as she stands in my driveway, holding Jackson’s prized possession and closing her eyes, lost in the surroundings. I watch as she tilts her head up to the sky, feeling the snowfall on her face, her chest rising and falling slowly as she breathes it all in. She has no idea I’m standing on the porch, watching her. She’s stunning.
I heard the car pull up earlier, so I went to check it out. It was a pleasant surprise to see her standing there in my driveway. By the time I got out there, she was already lost in the moment, and I didn’t want to interrupt her. She looked so at peace.
I should probably say something soon…Or maybe I’ll wait an obnoxiously long time until she catches me, her cheeks flushing when she realizes I’ve been watching her. But then again, maybe I want her to know that I’m watching—and that I like what I see.
I shove my hands into my black cotton joggers and clear my throat loud enough for her to hear. Her eyes pop open, and she stares for a moment, looking pensive. That intense stare of hers, the one she gave me several times yesterday at the gym, does something to me. I was a fan of how she looked in her tight gym attire, all sweaty and flushed, but this look is great too.
“Hi,” she says so softly I barely hear it. Her hand lifts in a hesitant wave, and she remains frozen there.
“Come in,” I say, waving her toward the door. “It’s freezing out here and that snow is coming down hard.”
She flashes me a relieved smile and walks my way, still looking a little unsure.
“Come on, come on,” I urge with a playful laugh, trying to hurry her. I flash her the most welcoming smile I can muster. As she passes me, I catch a faint whiff of something fruity and breathe it in. I definitely don’t check out her perfectly shaped backside as I follow her inside. I’m a gentleman, after all.
She turns to face me as soon as I close the door behind us. “Sorry for showing up like this. I tried texting you several times, but my service wasn’t working at my place, and I know how badly he wanted to find his truck, so … here I am.”
“Here you are,” I smile, pausing to look at her in my doorway. She doesn’t say anything back.
“Don’t be sorry,” I assure her. “You’re our savior for finding it and bringing it to us.”
She smiles, appearing more confident in her decision to show up here now. I’m glad she did. She holds out the truck to me and I take it. “Is he here?”
As soon as she asks, my giant, furry Bernese mountain dog comes running up from behind me and nearly knocks her over. She almost falls on her butt again, but as I reach out to steady her, I realize she doesn’t need my help. Her feet are solidly planted on the ground, and she’s regained her balance on her own. I can’t help but laugh a little at her cute half-squat stance.
“Cocoa!” I say sternly. The fluffy beast sits down immediately and stares up at me, tail wagging, tongue out. I shake my head. Layla lets out a surprised squeal, reaching down to pet Cocoa.
“Sorry about that,” I say, wincing a little and looking her over to make sure she’s alright.
“It’s okay,” she laughs, petting Cocoa again. “So, Jackson?”
“Oh yeah, one sec. Jackson!” I call out.
She looks up at the sound of footsteps above us. Then, she returns her gaze to me, looking like she has a question on the tip of her tongue, but she holds it back. In return, I give a tight-lipped smile and lead her into the kitchen.
Jackson comes waltzing around the corner, immediately perking up when he sees Layla. He leaps to cover the rest of the gap between them.
“Layla!” he says, his face lighting up with excitement.
“Hey, Big J!” She greets him with a wide, genuine smile.
“Guess what, dude? Layla found your truck.” I interject.
Jackson freezes, eyes wide and face serious, like he doesn’t believe it. I hold the truck out to show him and he screams in excitement. He runs to grab it and then lunges at Layla, catching her off guard. She recovers well, though, and lets out a surprised laugh. I can’t help but laugh too.
Jackson starts thanking her, and she tells him it was nothing. It was right along her walkway, apparently. I don’t know how we missed it before, but I’m glad we have it now. The last couple of days had been rough for him, thinking he lost it.
“Can you stay for dinner, Layla?” Jackson asks out of nowhere.
“Oh, you know what Big J, I can’t…”
“Why not?” he questions, his expression falling.
“Well, I have to get back home, and I already have dinner plans. I’m so sorry.”
“What plans?” I ask, crossing my arms and staring her down with a look that hopefully says I don’t believe her.
“Oh…um…you know…” She stammers. She’s a terrible liar. Noted. I quirk an eyebrow and fight back a grin as I watch her squirm.
“You should stay,” I say. “We’ve got way too much roast, and it’s only the two of us…” She assesses me and must determine I’m being sincere, because she finally agrees—with a bit of hesitation still.
“That is, if Lord Davies allows it,” I add with a grin.
The surprised look on her face is priceless. Then she laughs, and her eyes light up.