AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You do the same.” I gulped the last of my coffee and called out my goodbyes, thanking Daphne and Cat for breakfast.
I was so busy trying not to look around and collide with Harley’s gaze again that I didn't realize she'd gone into the back hallway to use the bathroom. My hand was on the doorknob of the bathroom when it turned underneath, and she came walking out. I jumped back as if struck by lightning.
“Uh, hey,” I said quickly.
Her eyes searched mine. I thought I saw a hint of uncertainty flickering there.
“Good morning,” she said in a prim and proper tone.
I mumbled a greeting before I rushed past her into the bathroom. It felt like my elbow was on fire where it brushed against her arm. I practically slammed the door shut, then took a deep breath before locking it. Fuck me.
ChapterSeven
GRANT
“Hey, Grant,” Layla said in a singsong voice.
Layla had long glossy brown hair and big blue eyes. Layla, who I’d spent more than one night with. Layla, who had no problem with a sort of friends-with-benefits arrangement. Sort of because our friendship was entirely superficial.
“Hey,” I said as I turned, actually hoping I’d experience a little jolt of anticipation at seeing her.
Nothing, fucking nothing. No reaction. Nothing.
When I realized she was waiting expectantly, I added, “I don't usually see you out this way.”
Which was entirely true. My friendship with Layla was limited to the boundaries of seeing her at local bars and, on occasion, spending the night with her. She was fun and easy to be with and had no expectations. There was just one problem now: that very thing that I looked for with her was something I didn't want anymore.
Harley had become too much of a distraction months before that stupid kiss last night.
“I don't usually come out here,” Layla said, “but I have some friends visiting. I told them the perfect thing was one of those flightseeing trips. I wouldn't do it with anybody other than Walker Adventures. Lucky for us, you’re our pilot today.”
Her tone was light and flirty. I managed to smile. “Ah, well, great.”
I glanced over at her friends. They were cut from the same cloth as Layla—cute, friendly, and lightly flirtatious. I sensed Layla had implied our connection might be more than it actually was. She slipped her hand through my elbow, bumping her hip against mine, and even leaned up to press a kiss on my cheek.
None of which I would have had a problem with, except it was awkward. That, and what she offered wasn't something I wanted anymore. Fuck my life.
They were with me for a three-hour flightseeing trip. By the end of it, my nerves were on edge with Layla’s flirting grating on me. I was beyond relieved when I landed back at the small airport in Diamond Creek and the locals scheduled for my next flight were already waiting along with boxes of mail and groceries to deliver.
Skylar's voice came through my headset moments after I landed. “Hey, Grant. We've got some extra groceries. Do you think you have some room?”
I glanced at the list of passengers, then replied, “Sure do.”
“All right. I'll have Dan meet you over there.”
“Perfect.”
Layla smiled up at me, practically batting her eyelashes. She was laying it on thick today. “What are you up to tonight?” she asked.
“It’s staff night out at the lodge,” I replied.
“Oh, what's that?”
“A work meeting.” That wasn’t a complete lie, but it was a misrepresentation. Yes, all the people I worked with would physically be in the same location, but it wasn't required by any stretch.
“Okay. Well, have fun,” she said in a singsong tone that was like fingernails on a chalkboard by this point. “You know where to reach me. Hopefully, we'll see you out sometime this week.”
“Sure. Take care,” I called with a wave as she finally turned to leave.
