27
Liam
I spent the night at my parents’ last night after a late dinner. I couldn’t get Layla off my mind all night. Her days here are quickly running out, and I want to spend the rest of them with her before she goes. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a relationship, and I might not be great at them, but I know how I feel when I’m with her. I want to see what that feeling could turn into. She just seems to fit here—with us. I have no idea where her head is at though.
I tried my best to give her some space last night and this morning. Between dropping Jackson off at school early and running a few errands, I managed to keep busy. But now it’s afternoon and Jackson and I are back home. I can’t help texting her.
With Jackson back, we’re not going to have the same private time we had while we were snowed in, but I don’t really care. I just want her around—her laugh, her smile, that mysterious, intoxicating fragrance.
Liam: I’ve been thinking about you.
Layla: Oh yeah?
Liam: Yeah. I haven’t been able to stare at that perfect ass of yours in a day. It’s really not fair.
My dick gets hard just thinking about her body, the way her tightness wrapped around me so perfectly. But also her laugh, her smile…
Layla: What should we do about it?
Liam: You could come over later? We’re watching this incredible movie. You may have heard of it before. It’s Jackson’s favorite…
Layla: Haha. I might be available. I did promise a certain best friend of yours that I would stop by for a dinner on the house at his restaurant tonight. Maybe you would like to join?
Liam: Dex? When did you talk to him?
Layla: Got bored last night. And cold. Decided to go for some food. Heard some great stories about you;)
Liam: I knew you should have come with me. I’m sorry you were cold. Also, do I need to drive over to his house and give him a beating?
Layla: No, not necessary. He was great. I had a good time.
**
An hour later Jackson, Layla, and I are pulling into Dex’s place for an early dinner. Jackson and I had swung by Layla’s cozy little cabin on the way and went inside while she finished getting ready. Jackson was ecstatic to see her and spent ten minutes filling her in on all of the cool things he did at his grandparents’. He even insisted on a quick tour of the place, which she did happily. There wasn’t much to it, but Layla raved about the espresso machine. No surprise there. I made a mental note of the model.
When we enter the restaurant, Jackson spots Dex right away and charges over, yelling, “Dex!”
Dex scoops him up effortlessly. “What’s up dude?”
“Dex, you would not believe all the stuff Grandma and Grandpa got me this weekend!”
“Tell me all about it, Big J.” he says, encouraging Jackson, who dives into stories with excitement. Meanwhile, Layla and I sit by the window, where the setting sun gives her a soft, golden glow. We share a quiet, meaningful look, and smile at the conversation happening beside us. There’s something unspoken in the way our eyes meet, a mutual understanding that doesn’t need words.
Jackson scurries back to the table and she rips her gaze from mine. If anyone is going to take her attention away from me, I’m glad it’s him.
Dex grins, reaching over to clap my shoulder. “Listen, I promised Layla here a meal, and maybe Jackson because he’s so cool, but you’re paying for your own, big man.” He’s fucking with me like he always does.
I chuckle. “That’s fair. I’m not nearly as pretty as her, nor do I smell as good.”
Jackson nods in agreement. “That’s true, you don’t,” he retorts, making everyone laugh.
Layla leans over, giving me a sly smile. “You smell good to me.”
I wink at her and her smile grows wider.
I turn to Dex, throwing him a playful look. “So, I heard you were entertaining my girl last night.”
I don’t realize what I’ve just called her until it’s already out there. I catch Layla’s gaze and own it, tilting the corner of my mouth up. She doesn’t know how to react, and I enjoy watching her squirm. It’s adorable. Dex, ever the loyal friend, doesn’t say anything—he simply carries on smoothly. “I was happy to. We had a great time,” he says.
I’m giving him a hard time, but really, I’m glad he kept her company while I was away the rest of the night. I know she is okay with being by herself, but I hate the idea of her sitting at the bar all alone. If I hadn’t needed to go get Jackson, I never would have left town.
“It was,” Layla agrees.
“Besides that dweeb bothering you girls,” Dex adds.
I whip my head in his direction, then look back and forth between him and Layla. “What?”
“You remember that guy from the gym? He showed up last night while I was here,” Layla shrugs, like it’s no big deal. It sure as hell is.
“Did he lay a hand on you? What did he do? I swear he better hope I never see his face around town again.” I’m fuming.
“Relax, dude,” Dex says. “We handled it, and I’m certain he’s not showing up here again. Apparently poor Carly went on a date with him and he couldn’t take the rejection after.”
I feel only slightly better knowing he wasn’t there specifically to mess with Layla, but I don’t want him messing with Carly either.
“Liam,” Layla says, locking me in with her gaze. “It’s fine. He said one stupid comment. I’m fine.” She squeezes my leg under the table.
We move on, but I’m not going to forget that guy. It’s a small town. He better hope I don’t see him again.
Dex ends up hanging with us for most of the meal. He bullshits with Jackson and we tell funny stories from our teenage years. Layla listens with rapt attention, thoroughly enjoying all the tales of our old antics.
We leave the restaurant, swing by the store on the way home for movie snacks, then head back to my place for an evening in. Layla fits in with us so effortlessly, like a piece of the puzzle we didn’t know was missing.