15
Layla
I got dropped off at my cabin a few hours ago. After an amazing morning of skating and hanging out with Liam and Jackson, Liam drove me back to my cabin in his pick-up truck and walked me to my door. We said our goodbyes, and he made sure to get my number this time. He lingered for a few extra moments, looking like he wanted to say or do more. I’ll admit, I wanted him to. But Jackson was watching us from the truck, so we ended it at that. It left my mind reeling all afternoon.
I try to curl up on the couch with a good book and a plush blanket, but I spent all day yesterday doing that, and I’m feeling a little burnt out today. Plus, my mind keeps wandering to Liam and that damn handsome face of his. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough. He didn’t specify if Jackson would be joining us this time, but I have a feeling this is going to be a kid-free date. The anticipation sends all kinds of flutters through my stomach.
Instead of reading, I decide to video call my best friend, Daniela. I need to talk about this with someone. Normally, my mom would be my first choice when I really need to talk, but it’s not like Daniela is a last resort either. We’ve been friends since we were in junior high school. Plus, she knows the empty pit that my parents left in me and has always been more than eager to step in and be there. She’s always been the most supportive, loyal friend.
Daniela picks up on the second ring with an excited, wide-mouthed grin on her face. I had texted her earlier to catch her up before ice skating, so I’m sure she’s been waiting for an update.
“Girrrl! Tell me everything,” she half-yells with excitement. It’s been over a year since I broke up with my last boyfriend, which happened right after my parents passed, and Daniela has really been encouraging me to get back out there.
“It was fun,” I say, blushing a little. Where do I start?
“It was fun? I know the kid went with you, but, like…did anything happen? Did you get any moments alone?”
“It was a very G-rated date—or whatever it was. And honestly, I loved it. I thought I came here to do some reflecting alone and remember my parents, but spending time with Jackson and Liam has been just what I needed. Seeing this place through the eyes of a joyful child has been so healing for me. It reminds me of how I fell in love with the place when I was younger. I love hanging out with them.” I leave out that I had many thoughts about Liam throughout the date that weren’t so G-rated.
She makes a face like it’s the sweetest thing she’s ever heard, and I blush as I continue.
“Plus, I don’t know if I would have spent half this time with Liam if it weren’t for Big J making it happen. He’s like, the best wingman ever.” I joke.
“Big J? Who the heck…?”
“Jackson,” I laugh. “That’s how he introduced himself the first time I met him. I kind of go back and forth between calling him that and Jackson, depending on the moment.”
“Oh my gosh,” my best friend gushes. “You’re totally getting a soft spot for the kid. That is so precious. Did you find out any more about that situation, by the way?”
“Not yet…Liam and I have only had small chunks of time here and there to talk alone. There’s definitely a story there, because he acted weird when I brought it up last time. But I don’t want to keep pushing…but maybe he’ll tell me tomorrow.”
“Oh my gosh are you seeing him tomorrow too? Did the kid ask you out again?” Daniela jokes.
“Actually, it was Liam this time. When he got me alone for a minute, he said he wanted to take me somewhere…but it’s a surprise. I get the feeling Jackson might be sitting this one out.” I guess I can’t hide the excitement on my face, because my friend gives me a knowing smirk.
“Okay this is a real date. I’m so excited for you! I wonder where he’s taking you…I’m sure there are only so many places you can go there…” she trails off.
“Yeah, I don’t know. I’m kind of nervous, but excited. He’s such a confident little smooth talker. But not in an arrogant way, you know? At least, I don’t think so. He seemed very empowering with that whole gym situation.”
She nods. “He does seem like a good guy, but we really don’t know that much about who he is now. He seems kind of…mysterious? Besides, I thought you were only looking for a hookup? This is already starting to seem like more than that.”
“Yeah…I don’t know what I want anymore. I’m just going with it for now.”
“Well, at least he’s super hot, so you should have a good time either way.” She waggles her eyebrows.
I laugh and nod in agreement. Now that I’ve been spending all this time with Liam and his nephew, I feel conflicted about what I want. The practical part of me keeps telling myself that I’m only here temporarily, and that this might end up as merely a holiday fling. But that thought makes me a little bummed now.
Daniela fills me in on what’s going on in her life. She’s very flighty when it comes to men (her words, not mine) and has never had a huge desire to settle down. She has a new fling every other month, and this month it’s a boring attorney who she’s bringing to her family’s Thanksgiving. She jokes that she has plans to take him up to her childhood bedroom. We laugh and then say our goodbyes, with me promising to fill her in after the date. She says she’ll disown me if I update her from home that night instead of the next morning from Liam’s bed.
My mind feels more settled after talking to her, and I pick my book back up and get lost in a distant fantasy world for the rest of the evening. It’s something Mom and I used to love doing together. We never talked during those times, too immersed in our stories, but it still felt like we were bonding, sharing our love for reading together.