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Grant came running across the yard and jumped into Jacob’s arms.
Jessica turned to Leila. “You ready?”
“Of course.” Leila started to clean up, and Adler was right behind her. They walked into the kitchen, their arms loaded with food.
“It was good to see you again.” Adler stood unnecessarily close.
Leila placed the food on the counter and turned to him, her arms crossed across her chest. “What’s your deal?” She couldn’t help but ask. Why was he wasting his time talking with her when he was going to be in bed with Desiree tonight? Yeah, they mightnot have talked much, but you could see it when they looked at each other. And she’d worked enough catering events with Desiree to know that the two of them had been together more than once.
“What do you mean? I’m just being nice,” Adler answered, placing some of the chips in the pantry.
“Yeah, maybe, but why? It’s weird.”
Adler looked at her and shook his head. “Someone really did a number on you, didn’t they? You don’t trust anyone.”
She held his gaze.He needs to mind his own business.Her stomach churned, as heat rose into her cheeks.
She was saved from answering when Jacob emerged from one of the bedrooms with Grant in his arms.
It was time to go. Leila turned and walked away.
Adler sat at the bar on the patio. Everyone had left, and everything was cleaned up. He leaned on the bar and absently picked at the label on his beer bottle. He suddenly had no energy, like it was all zapped from his body, leaving him limp and lifeless. This wasn’t a feeling he was used to, and he needed to figure his shit out. What was he going to do about Leila? She despised him, and he still couldn’t get her out of his mind. He’d tried to show her a different side of him tonight, but she kept throwing his past in his face and gave him the cold shoulder. And that name, Casanova. God, it irritated him.
“No, no, no, no, no!” Stacey ran out of the house screaming and ran around the pool.
What the hell was going on? He sat up and glared at her.
Tristan chased behind her and stopped, his hands on his knees. He looked across the pool at her, his eyes shining. “Youbetter run, woman. Things aren’t going to be good for you if I get you.”
“I’m not scared,” she screeched.
They stared long and hard at each other until Stacey finally took off one way and Tristan darted in that direction.
She ran toward Adler. “Help!” she screamed as she ran around behind him and wrapped her arms around him.
Dammit. Couldn’t a guy be left alone? “What the hell are you two doing?” he asked as he stood in front of Stacey.
“Really? You’re guarding her?” Tristan stood with his hands on his hips and a smirk on his face.
Stacey tried to catch her breath, and Adler could feel it on his neck. He put his arms up. “Look, I’m not one to let a guy bully a beautiful woman.”
“Thank you, Adler. See? You’re a good guy. Some girl will be lucky to have you.” Stacey stuck her tongue out at Tristan as she hunkered down behind her protector.
Tristan stood and pushed his shoulders back as he glared hard at his cousin. “Oh, please. Adler, I was in my room. She had just gone to get a drink. When she came back, she put her arms around me. I thought she was going to be sweet and show me some lovin’, but she wasn’t sweet at all. She put a hand full of ice down my shorts and froze my fucking dick! When I catch her, I’m throwing her in the pool.”
Adler held up his arms. This was ridiculous. “Look. I’m not in the mood. You want to throw her in the pool, fine, whatever. I’m out of here.” He pushed past Tristan and stalked into the house, went straight into his room, and slammed the door.
Chapter 7
The week was going by like every other. Between being a mom and working, Leila didn’t have any time for herself. On Thursday morning, she dropped Skylar off at the Mom’s Day Out program at the pregnancy center. This was a free service the center provided. Volunteers and center workers staffed it on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Leila was thankful for this service and the center in general, and on Wednesdays and Fridays, Skylar went to work with her. Thankfully, Mrs. Stanzel, the owner of Main Street Boutique, understood the restrictions of being a single parent and supported her wholeheartedly. The fact that Elizabeth had sometimes had Grant there when he was just a baby helped.
This morning, she found herself with some extra time, so after parking in the boutique’s lot, she walked across the street to Desiree’s bakery. She didn’t know why, but today was going to be a great day. She could feel it deep in her bones. Skylar woke up and ate and was easy to get out the door this morning. Dianetold her she’d be happy to watch Sky Saturday when Leila went to work, then to the pregnancy center to help prep for the yearly fundraiser. Things were going well.
The smell of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls and coffee wrapped her like a warm hug as soon as she opened the door to the bakery. An older couple waited at the counter as Desiree filled their order.
“Thank you,” she told the customers as they left, then turned to her. “Good morning, Leila.”
“Hi, Desiree. It always smells so amazing in here.”
