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Chapter 16Layla“That man…” Sawyer plops down in the chair next to me. “I swear he’s got a corncob shoved up his ass today,” she huffs.
“Trouble in paradise?” I ask, raising my eyebrows. Sawyer and I have gotten close over the last month. We work side by side here at Riggins Enterprises, and we spend a lot of time out of the office together too.
“He’s just being broody Royce today.”
I can’t help but laugh at her. I learned quickly that Sawyer claims there are many layers to Royce. At first, I thought she was exaggerating, but as time passes by, I can see it. He wears many different hats, and running the company is a lot of stress on him. More so than his brothers, next to Owen, of course. He has the financials. My man is hella smart. “What did he do this time?”
“I simply suggested he was burnt out. He’s been working endless hours the last three months trying to get the new location in Michigan up and running. He bit my head off and said there was no time for breaks. I know he’s stressed, and he’s going to apologize once how he spoke to me settles into his mind, but damn, it’s been a while since I’ve dealt with broody Royce. He’s been my sweet, loving fiancé for so long I almost forgot this layer of his personality existed.”
“We should go out to dinner tonight, maybe grab a drink,” I suggest. “Maybe the two of you just need a break.”
“We do spend a lot of time with them, don’t we? How are things with you and Owen?”
“Good.” Sawyer grins, and I know I can’t hide the dreamy tone of voice. It’s just something that happens when I think or talk about Owen. I can’t control it.
“Ah, the honeymoon phase. Royce and I had that as well, once he pulled his broody head out of his ass,” she says, smirking.
“Dinner?”
“Yes.”
“Call Sam, see if she can get out for a couple of hours. We’ll make it a girls’ night.” Six months ago, that suggestion would have never come out of my mouth. I’ve grown as a person since moving to Tennessee. I know it’s Owen’s influence on my life. I have more money in my bank account than ever before, a safe place to lay my head at night, and a man I’ve fallen madly in love with, even if he doesn’t know it.
“Good idea. Too bad Hadley and Derek are visiting his grandparents.” Sawyer reaches for her phone to call Sam, who, from Sawyer’s reaction, quickly agrees.
“Where?” Sawyer asks me, pulling the phone away from her ear.
“Anywhere.” I shrug. “You pick, or Sam can pick. I’m easy.”
“Not my place.” I hear Sawyer say. “Royce is being broody.” She listens for a beat. “Yeah, your place is out. We know Jase will hover.” She laughs. “Let me ask her.” She pulls the phone away again. “Hey, Sam suggested one of our places since she’s still nursing Aria. Jase is home, so he’ll hover, and my place is out. What about yours?”
“I-I don’t know. I’d have to ask Owen.”
Sawyer tilts her head to the side and opens her mouth to speak but is interrupted by the sound of Owen’s voice. “Ask me what?” he asks, as we both turn our heads to look at him.
“Um, well, we wanted to get together and just hang out.”
“Girls’ night,” Sawyer adds. “Your brother is being an ass, and Jase will hover. Aria will be there because Sam is still nursing. We asked Layla if we could do it at her place,” she fills him in.
“Lay?” Owen speaks, and I turn my head to look at him. “It’s your home, baby. You don’t have to ask me for permission to invite someone over. You don’t have to ask my permission to change the paint on the walls or buy a blanket for the couch. It’s our home, baby.” His voice is low, and his deep blue eyes bore into mine, willing me to accept the words he’s saying.
“Perfect.” Sawyer grins. “Sam, be at Layla and Owen’s at six. I know you can’t drink, so I’ll bring the supplies for virgin daiquiris. Oh, and we’re going to need your guacamole,” she tells her. They talk for a little longer, but I tune them out as Owen takes one step, then another until he’s standing right in front of me.
“Hey.” I smile up at him.
He shakes his head and reaches for my hand. “Come with me.” I don’t hesitate to follow him down the hallway and into his office. Once we’re inside, he shuts the door, and the sound of the lock clicking into place echoes throughout the room. With my hand still in his, Owen leads us behind his desk, where he moves everything to the side with the push of his hands, before resting those same hands on my hips and lifting me up onto his desk.
