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She shakes her head. “It’s fine, Jason. You don’t need to justify your actions to us. Martin and I trust that you made the right call—that you put Layla’s welfare first.”
I nod. “I did.”
She smiles as she pats my shoulder. “Well, then. That’s all that matters.” Ruth turns to her son and Tyler. “Won’t you two handsome gentlemen join us for dinner? It would be lovely to have the entire family together. Martin should be home in about an hour.” She turns her attention back to me and Layla. “We have so much to be grateful for this evening.”
* * *
Dinner is indeed a celebratory event. A very expensive bottle of wine is passed around the table, but Layla and I stick to drinking sparkling water.
“I’m proud of you, son,” Martin says to me as he raises a glass in my direction. “You look a little worse for wear, but you handled those thugs with restraint.”
I rub a hand over my mouth. “I’m sure I’ve looked better.”
“From what I hear, it sounds like you handled yourself quite well, one against five no less. I hope you’re not too badly injured.”
“No, sir,” I say. “I’m fine. Just a few minor cuts.”
“I take back anything good I might have said about Reese Hendricks.” Martin shakes his head dismissively. “I’ve spoken to Troy Spencer, and he’s confident there’s nothing for us to be worried about. You were simply doing your job—protecting my daughter. No one was seriously hurt, but you made your point. It’s a win as far as I’m concerned.”
“Thank you, sir,” I say, fully aware that, as a judge, he probably knows what he’s talking about.
After dinner, Layla and I excuse ourselves to go upstairs. I really want to talk to her alone so I can make sure she’s doing as well as she seems. I follow her into her bedroom and close the door behind us. Instantly, she tears up.
I pull her close. “It’s okay.” I just hold her for a good while, breathing in her scent and feeling grateful that she handled everything so well. “You didn’t hurt yourself?”
“No. Professor Porter was there in the room with me the whole time. The voice was horrible, though, so I used my earbuds to try to block her out. And then Ian and Tyler showed up and brought me home.”
I release her and skim my fingers down her arms. “I’m glad you didn’t hurt yourself.”
“I’m trying not to.”
“I’m proud of you for how you handled today. I know it wasn’t easy.” I take her hand and lead her to the sofa.
She reaches out to touch my face gently, her fingers gliding lightly over my cheeks and forehead. “It was awful seeing that guy hit you. You’re going to have a black eye. And your nose is swollen. I hope it’s not broken.” She shudders. “You were incredible. You knocked those guys to the ground inseconds.”
“I was afraid it would scare you to see me do that.”
“It didn’t scare me. I was so proud of you.” She’s looking at me like I performed some kind of miracle.
“It wasn’t much of a fair fight,” I admit. “I’m trained in martial arts, and obviously they aren’t.” I cup her face in my hands and gaze into her dark eyes. I see a lot of things there—mainly joy and relief. What I don’t see is fear, and I’m grateful for that.
She stands and grabs my hand. “Come to the bathroom so we can wash the blood off your face.”
I did wash up in the bathroom at the police station, but I guess I didn’t get it all. As I stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, Layla gets out a washcloth and wets it.
“Here,” she says. “Let me.”
I lean against the counter and let her wash my face. She dabs gently at my skin. “It’s okay,” I say, laughing. “I won’t break.” Still, her gentle attention is soothing after such a stressful afternoon.
When she’s done, she pats my face dry with a hand towel. “As good as new,” she says.
I turn and look at my reflection once more. My bottom lip is a bit swollen, but it’s already healing. I touch my nose, moving the cartilage back and forth. It’s just a bit tender. I’ve had worse. “I don’t think it’s broken.” I lean forward and kiss her forehead. “Thank you, nurse. You did a fine job.”
Layla smiles.
“I told my boss we’re dating. He seemed okay with it.”
“I talked to my mom, and she said she’s happy for us.”
