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“Be careful with those carbs.” Layla winks and jots down my order. “We can’t have you gaining any weight. The camera adds 10 pounds. And you need to put your best foot forward for Harbor, so she’ll be too weak in the knees to leave.”
“Layla.” I draw out her name and glare at her in frustration. The last thing I need is the guys drinking coffee to overhear our conversation and share their comments with embellishments with my family.
“What?” She laughs while raising her hands in defense.
“I….” Shit. There’s no use pretending I don’t want her or that I wouldn’t love the chance to have a relationship with her. But no one else can know but Layla and Kameron. I roll my shoulders and neck to ease the tension. “If that happened, I’d consider myself lucky.”
“Oh….” Layla clutches her chest and sags against the counter. “That’s so romantic.”
“Yeah, there’s nothing like BDSM and swoony romance.” Kameron chuckles as he whips out his wallet and taps his debit card on the payment reader.
“Don’t you dare make light of this.” Layla’s eyes narrow into slits. “I’ve waited for years for these two to admit they have feelings for each other, and you’re not sullying it.”
“I’ll sully something tonight.” He winks and shoves the card back into his wallet.
“You’re filthy.”
“For you, I’ll be filthy any day.”
Lord. It’s fucking hot in here. I fan the front of my T-shirt. What would it be like to have an easy, flirty relationship with Harbor? A shiver skates along my spine. It would be wonderful. I envy Kameron and Layla for their relationship. But what happens when he leaves, and Layla is heartbroken? He’s only here for a few months and doesn’t intend to stick around. We’ll be stuck picking up the pieces.
Is it worth it? Kameron touches her hand, and she sighs with happiness. Shit. Picking up the pieces is going to blow. He’s going to leave like everyone else, and Layla will be curled up in a ball in the corner for the rest of us to ease the pain.
Unless they both change their minds.
The door chimes, indicating someone’s coming in.
“Well, if it isn’t my wayward best friend hanging out with his new best friend.” Connor lets the door slam shut behind him.
I roll my eyes and spin on my heel as he approaches us. “What’s up?” I nod and clasp his outstretched hand into mine.
“Nothing.” He shrugs and presses his lips together. “Other than waiting at home all night for my best buddy since kindergarten to call.”
“Shut up.” I shove his shoulder until he rocks back on his heels.
“Fine.” His eyes light up with humor. “Are you coming to Ledger’s Friday at noon? We’re playing poker.”
“No.” Heat creeps up to my cheeks as I struggle to appear innocent. But that’s the day Harbor is coming to the house, and I’m not about to change up my plans for a game of poker. “I’ve got something going on.”
“Are you working that day?”
“No.”
“Watching the kids for Emilia?” His eyes narrow as the pulse point on his temple jumps. “She have a date or something?”
“No. She’s not going on a date.” I frown and nod at Layla as she waves a white sack in front of her. “Just a sec, and I’ll grab it.” I return my attention to Connor “As far as I know, she’s not dating anyone, but I don’t know that for a fact.”
“Never mind.” His jaw flexes. “Forget, I asked.”
Kameron walks up to us with two sacks in one hand. “Here you go.” He shoves one toward me. “We’ve got to get back to the station.”
“Yes, we do.”
Connor steps into Kameron’s space and tilts his head sideways. “Rumor is that you’re doing a photo shoot with my sister. You need to keep your hands to yourself. Especially if she’s going to be half-naked. I don’t like it, and I don’t think I like you.” He presses his hand on his chest and shoves.
“Lighten up, asshat.” Kameron stands his ground and doesn’t move. “If I wanted to do a photo shoot with your sister, I would. I’m not afraid of some asshole who’s pushing his weight around.”
“I’m protecting my sister from jokers who only want a piece of ass,” Connor growls as they both bristle while eying each other up and down.
