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When the knock comes at my door, I almost jump. I’m way too skittish.

“Layla?” Mom calls.

I spin in my desk chair. “Come in.”

She smiles at me from the doorframe. “I thought you might be taking a nap. You haven’t been downstairs in hours.”

I got carried away with my work.

I almost say it, but I don’t want to lie to her more than I already have if I can call withholding my desire a lie.

“I just wanted to remind you Noah and I are having dinner at his boss’s this evening.”

A heavy weight drops in my belly. Athud, ricocheting as my mind births a thousand possibilities of what could happen with Miles and me alone in the house.

“That’s right. I forgot.”

“It’s not ideal timing with Miles just arriving, but you know how badly Noah wants that promotion. Miles said he should go for it.”

“Really?” I ask.

“Of course. He wants his little brother to do well.”

Mom walks into the room and sits on my bed.

“Areyou okay?” she asks. “You’ve seemed quiet all day. You can always find work elsewhere if the restaurant is getting too tough. You don’t have to tolerate that man’s crap just because you want to work in that industry.”

“You were the one who got me the job,” I remind her.

She was passing the restaurant when she spotted thehelp wantedsign, and after going inside, she secured me an interview.

“I know, but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with it.”

“I’m fine, Mom. Honestly. I just want you to be happy.”

She narrows her eyes. “Me? Why wouldn’t I be happy?”

I go to her, sitting and wrapping my arm around her.

“What I mean is,I’mhappy that you’re happy. That’s all.”

She hugs me tightly. “I love you.”

As I form the reply, I feel like a traitor, butnottelling her I love her isn’t an option. It’s the truth, despite everything.

Once Mom’s gone, I go downstairs and show my face before she and Noah leave for dinner. If this is going to work, I’ll have to do my best to behave normally.

Is hekidding? As soon as I get downstairs, the challenge becomes even more difficult. Miles and Noah are in the garden, working out together in the late-day sunlight. Miles stands over the weight bench, shirtless.

From the kitchen window, I devour the sight of his body, sweat gliding down his skin, emphasizing the muscles of his abs.

When he helps Noah replace the bar, his arms tense, and his veins throb.

“Isn’t it wonderful seeing Noah so happy?”

I didn’t even know Mom was in here with me. She stands at the counter, wiping it down. When did she come in here? How long have I been staring?

“He loves having his big brother back,” she goes on. “Neither of them is super emotional, but I can tell. It’s like he’s got an extra skip in his step.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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