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“There’s something you need to prepare for,” Tristan says as I close my eyes to get some shut-eye.
“Yeah?” I turn my head without raising it from the headrest.
“Next week, we will go to the Fisher’s ranch together. I think it’s time I introduced you to them.”
The sleepiness vanishes from my eyes, but I keep them closed. I remain silent and try to stay calm despite my heart pounding like a jackhammer. Tristan says nothing else, and I follow his lead.
We’re both thinking about going to the ranch, but he doesn’t have all the information. I have to tell my parents to take the family portrait off the wall.
Chapter sixteen
Tristan
Aweek ago, Luke told me he’d look into Layla. I don’t know how he plans on doing it, but I’m sure he has his ways. I don’t want to think about it too much. My fingers tighten around the wheel as I contemplate whether digging into Layla’s past is a good decision.
“They can be vicious, so let me do all the talking, okay?” I say to Layla, who looks nervous as hell.
Why am I informing her like she’s never met the Fishers? She lives in their town, so of course, she’s familiar with them. Layla’s tapping foot betrays her nerves, and I don’t blame her. I’m taking her to see my dead wife’s parents, and she’s not even my real fiancée. I’m sure she’s regretting signing the contract in the first place, which is entirely understandable.
“Are you nervous?” I ask, taking my eyes off the road to give her a quick glance.
Layla shakes her head, but I can tell she’s only putting on a façade of bravery. She’s wearing a yellow sundress, like when the summer sun just touched the horizon. Her face glistened from her moisturizer, and one of her hands held onto her seatbelt as if for support.
“I’m not nervous,” She shakes her head, her ponytail shaking.
“You sure?” I murmur. “You look nervous.”
“I think I’m just hungry.” She shrugged.
“Afterwards, we can go to Alfredo’s,” I remember the last time we were there and the kiss we shared. Or do you have somewhere else we can try?” I asked her to distract herself from the impending visit with the Fishers.
“Uh, no. Wherever you choose is fine.” Layla clicks her fingers as she looks out the window, tight-lipped.
I don’t speak until we see the imposing gate with the bronze statue on the horizon. Layla lets out a sigh, and I turn to look at her. She goes through her purse, fetches her lip gloss, and reapplies it.
“When was the last time you came here?”
She looks out the window, purposely avoiding my gaze. “It’s been forever.”
“That’s not a date,” I murmur, but Layla doesn’t respond.
The Fishers think I’m coming around to drop off Ruby, so the gate swings open before I even have to wait one extra second. I smile to myself as I imagine the looks on their faces when they realize I played them.
“Why are you smiling?” Layla asks her voice tight.
“Don’t worry about that.”
The car screeches to a halt, and we unclip our seatbelts. I open the door and step out. Layla takes her sweet time getting out of the ride as if she’s stalling. Again, I don’t blame her, and I don’t try to hurry her up. She can take as long as she wants.
When she finally gets out, she straightens the creases on her gown before coming to my side so we can walk in together. Her curves sway beneath the light fabric of the dress, and I remember feeling her on the stool in my home that night.
Layla catches me looking, and I look away, absently studying the busy ranch.
Farmhands walk around the compound, intently ignoring us. Some of them glance at Layla. They probably know her from around town and wonder what she’s doing with me. I can guess what the gossip around their tables would be that night.
We cross the porch and reach the door. Layla stays behind me, waiting for me to open the door. I grab the knob, then turn to her. She looks completely pale.
“Remember, let me do most of the talking, Layla, okay?” I lift a brow.
