Fuck.
She looks up at me and smiles big.
“Hey you,” She says in a silky voice.
She walks right up to me and gives me a side hug like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“You smell good,” she mutters.
“So do you,” I reply automatically.
And she does. She always does. Her hair smells like roses, every damn time she showers. Must be that shampoo she bought that morning after she got here. Sometimes I swear I still smell it after she leaves. On my clothes. On me.
“Hey y’all, come on and eat now,” my dad calls from the dining room.
We head in. Layla sits beside me without hesitation. I sit next to Dad. Nancy and Maggie are across from us, Steph next to Luke. A whole country spread. Fried chicken and the works.
“Hi, I’m Layla!” she says brightly to Steph.
“Hey. Nice to meet you,” Steph replies.
“This is my girlfriend, Stephanie,” Luke adds.
“You’re stunning and I love all your tattoos,” Layla says immediately.
“Thanks, I’m a tattoo artist. If you’re ever wanting some really good art, hit me up.” Steph shoots back, grinning.
Dinner starts off easy. Normal. Almost too normal.
Then Maggie opens her mouth.
“Sooo… are you guys a thing now?”
Yes.There’s no changing that now.
Layla glances at me, cheeks flushing red. I feel it too, heat crawling up my neck.
“Uh… well, we’re just going with the flow—”
“I saw them down at the creek,” Luke cuts in, way too casual. “Together. Naked.”
What the fuck. Maybe I should’ve reminded him not to say anything or I would kick his ass.
My jaw tightens instantly.
My dad shoots me a look sharp enough to cut steel. Nancy smiles but keeps her eyes down. Maggie looks shocked and thrilled.
Layla freezes.
Then she straightens her shoulders.
“Cole and I have decided we’re going to enjoy our time together while I’m here. No strings attached, since you must know,” she says coolly. “And Luke—we’re both grown adults, and if we want to get naked in the middle of a forest, that’s our god-given right.”
She smiles, but it’s tight. Controlled. Furious underneath.
She shouldn’t have to defend herself. I should have spoken up for her, for us.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—” Luke starts.
