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With a big, toothy grin, I can see his ego grow. “This is Layla James,” I tell him.
He cocks his head. “I’ve heard that name before.” He drops her hand and shoves his hands into his pockets.
“We went to IU together. Turns out we both work on Mass Ave,” I tell him, not wanting to get into the whole story with him in front of her, right now. Or ever.
“Ahh, that’s right. I think my little brother had the biggest crush on you back then.” The douche-nugget grins and I want to punch him in the gut.
I grunt, giving him a look that I hope portrays a “shut the fuck up” communication.
“Oh, yeah. I’m sure.” My girl takes it with pride and laughs it off.
I give him another glare. There are so many questions swimming in those eyes of his, but his easy posture tells me he’ll save them for later. I look at Layla and apologize to her, albeit discreetly. I’m sure she’ll give me hell later. “I didn’t know Stan would be here.”
“Oh. What a nice surprise then,” she says.
“Actually, I’m not sure how long you’re in town, but Emily and I would love to have you guys over for dinner,” he says.
Shit. Wasn’t expecting family time on my weekend getaway with Lays.
“Uh, we have plans,” I say.
“We’d love to,” Layla says at the same time.
I reach down and grab her hand and intertwine my fingers with hers, trying to get our ESP to work. What is she doing?
She squeezes my hand but addresses my brother. “We have dinner reservations tonight, but we are heading back to Indy Sunday.”
“Great. How about dinner tomorrow night?” he says to her, leaving me out completely.
“That okay with you, Cole?” Big brown eyes look up at me and I’m a goner for this woman.
“Sure. If that’s what you want to do.”
“Em will love to get to know your girlfriend, Cole. Don’t keep her to yourself,” the shit talker says.
I look down at Layla and her lips twitch. I know she’s enjoying this. But damn, I wish what he said were true. Not the keeping her to myself part. That part’s spot-on. But the girlfriend part.
Shit, I wish she were mine.
One hundred percent mine. No hiding, no pretending. No lying.
Mine.
“Yeah, all right,” I tell Stan, pulling my gaze away from the woman who’s slowly owning every part of me.
“Text me when you want us to come over tomorrow,” I tell him. He claps my shoulder and I shake his hand as he tells me he will and to enjoy dinner.
We head out of the lobby in different directions. I tug Layla close to me as we walk toward the hotel part of the building. “What are you up to, Lays?” I say as I nip at her ear.
I don’t miss her full-body shiver at my touch.
“You didn’t tell me I’d be meeting family.” Her tone is playful.
“I didn’t know he would be here,” I tell her, throwing my arm over her shoulders.
“Right. He lives in Chicago.” She’s not wrong. I should have expected him.
I sigh. “I was so caught up in a getaway with you I didn’t even think of the possibility of this happening. We do not have to go over there,” I tell her honestly.
