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"The woman had copper hair, and her name was Rylee. The little girl's name was Layla, and she had the cutest blonde hair in piggie-buns."
The way Jude's eyes widen at Marc's words would be comical if mine weren't doing the same fucking thing.
"Wait, when did you meet the girls?" I'm missing their side of the story and I really want to know how all four of us met the same woman at separate times.
"Our girls," Jude and Marcus murmur at the same time, causing Leo's cheeks to flame a pretty shade of pink.
What?Today has been one crazy conversation after another. I'm exhausted, and it's not even one in the afternoon.
"They came into my coffee shop on Friday afternoon. Both looked so happy, we couldn't help but introduce ourselves." Leo nods to himself like he needs to hype himself up to share.
"How did she react to you guys?" I need to know if it was only me that made her so standoffish and afraid.
Marcus sputters out a breath before leaning back, defeated. "Little Layla did not trust anything about us, even when I kneeled at her height. She actually scooted closer to her mom between us."
"Yeah, I met Layla this morning. She went from afraid to excited when she thought I brought Gabby, but as soon as she found out I upset her mom, she turned colder than I ever thought a little girl could. She took a step back from me, and it was like distrust and fear flooded all other emotions."
Marc's head bobs and points at me. "Yeah, like that! It was really fucking unsettling, man. When Leo told them he owned the cafe, Rylee immediately asked if there was a problem. As if two guys would never take an interest in a beautiful woman and a cute little girl. They literally radiated joy, and when they noticed us, they both shuttered all thoughts and emotions besides fear, distrust, and caution."
It's silent for a moment, all of us thinking over what we know of the girls who just moved to town. The four of us and Gabby being drawn into the orbit of Rylee and her daughter is strange. But I challenge any person with a heart not to be swept up in their matching blue eyes and haunted expressions where only happiness and joy should be.
"What happened to them?" Jude whispers with a shuddering breath, probably reliving the distressing moment of seeing Rylee panic.
"I'm going to apologize tomorrow, I think," Jude mumbles, eyes on the football game on the TV.
That perks Marcus up. "Oh! Can I come?"
ChapterNine
MARCUS
"You are a fucking genius," I gush in the passenger seat of Jude's jeep. My dick twitches at the bright smile he sends my way before his eyes turn back to Gabby's apartment complex.
Jackson told me I couldn't go see Rylee and Layla, but as soon as he left to pick up groceries after the game, Jude slapped me on the shoulder and told me it was time to go. Leo gave me a soft kiss and told me he would see me at home.
The back door opens, then slams closed to the sound of Gab's grumbled cursing. "I swear, if you fuck up my new friendship, I am going to beat your ass. And also…" She glares at my wide smile. "I didn't fucking say Marc could come."
"Shush, Sunshine. Every little thing is gonna be alright," he coos and cranks the music, effectively drowning out the shouts in the backseat.
Turning down the road where the cute townhouses are lined up, I about shit my pants when I see a familiar redhead and cheerful girl twirling around in the driveway.
"Shit," Gabby hisses. "I had hoped I could talk to her before she saw you guys. Kay, well, here goes. Don't be dicks."
Noting the artwork on the driveway, Jude parks on the street in front of the house, eyes alight with excitement. Gab is up and out of the car before it even stops moving, running forward with arms spread wide. Scooping up the little one, she spins, laughter peeling from their lips.
Making my way around the vehicle, I stand beside Jude and nudge his shoulder. He's stopped moving, eyes drawn to Rylee, whose disapproving gaze makes my balls want to shrivel up and avoid her wrath.
"Jude. Go," I whisper. I was so wrapped up in the excitement of getting to see her again, and I think Jude was too. But now that we are here, I think the reality of the situation has finally settled in. "Go apologize, man."
Clearing his throat, he starts up the driveway, with me following close behind him. I'm now suddenly very unsure of what to do with myself. I'm saved from my awkwardness by Gabby when she walks over with the blonde.
"Layla, this is one of my friends, his name is Marcus!"
I crouch, getting down to her level, and offer her a small smile. "Hi, Layla." She frowns, and it's like a punch to my gut.
Without saying a word to me, she looks up at Gabs. "Why is he here? Did he make my mommy sad, too?"
Jesus, fuck.It's like she just shoved her tiny, chalk-stained fist into my chest, snatched my heart, and squeezed it with all her might.
