Page 26 of Incoming Layne Shift

Gage had followed Layne downstairs, resting against the edge of the bar with his elbow. Still thinking about their moment upstairs, he wondered about the current state of her panties. He could see the appeal his brother had in her. She was a strong little spitfire who didn’t take any shit. In this line of work, it was rare to find a woman able to hold her own.

“Is there?” was the only acknowledgment of the accounting error Sean gave.

Layne frowned at him. “Sean…” her voice lost some of its edge as she stared at the man who wore his age poorly. The crows’ feet at the corners of his eyes were more pronounced, his hair donning a little more white, and the restlessness in his soul as seen through his eyes was heavier.

“Sean,” she repeated herself. “You’re off by over six hundred dollars. Where did it go? There’s nothing here in the books and I sure as hell didn’t sign off on it.”

Using a bar rag, Sean wiped his fingers off before wringing the towel between his weathered hands. “Must have been these old eyes and rattled brain.” The lie on his tongue caused Layne more distress than it should have. He quickly followed up on his excuse, “Let me double-check the entries tonight after closing.”

She reached over and laid her hand on top of both of Sean’s. “If it’s anything but your eyes, I need to know. You’ve been a great asset to my family since I was a little girl.”

Layne recalled the way she used to carelessly run through the pub while her father checked the books or held private meetings. Often, she had gotten underfoot and received a scolding from her father. A much younger Sean had been there to soften the stern tone of Scott O’Reilly and made a Shirley Temple with extra cherries to help lift her spirits. Now, even as an adult, when she was aggressively hungover, it was something she craved.

Sean gave a half-smile at her before pulling his hands away so he could remove the book from the top of the bar. “Layne, you’ve been like a daughter that I never had. I have always respected and honored your family.”

His words rang true with sincerity and honesty, but there was something about the way he looked at her that reflected a soul in despair. Layne withdrew her hands and nodded, hoping that after closing she could sit down with him to figure out these numbers.

“I will be back by tonight after closing.” She watched Sean secure the spiral-bound book containing the financials behind the bar. Layne looked over at Gage and nodded toward the door. He straightened up, pushing away from the edge of the bar, and joined her after she said her goodbye to Sean.

After they got back to her silver BMW, she placed her hand on the passenger door’s handle. Before pulling on it to open the door, Gage was there with his hand on top of hers. The sunlight illuminated the intricate linework of the blossomed rose on the back of his left hand.

“Allow me.” The soothing tone of his voice was like silk against her soul.

From an outsider’s perspective, it appeared to be a chivalrous gesture. From Layne’s perspective? It felt like an excuse to encroach on her space again. Her emerald orbs looked up at him, trying not to allow her breath to get caught in her throat again.

Layne slithered her hand out from underneath his palm, allowing him to swing the door open for her. Once she was settled in her seat, he closed the door for her before getting in on the driver’s side.

She pulled out her phone and noticed a few messages from Joey, a smile immediately spread over her face.

Joey

How are things going?

I may be a little later than I thought tonight.

I would rather be there with you than waiting on these assholes.

Layne

I haven’t strangled him…yet.

Be careful and don’t do anything stupid. I love you.

Joey

Always and forever.

When Gage got in the car, he was watching as Layne’s fingers tapped across her phone and the way her guard came down as her smile indicated she was likely texting with Joey. It was a glimpse past the hard exterior that she usually had wrapped around herself.

Layne looked up to see Gage sitting there watching her. The protective exterior snapped back in place as she shoved her phone into her pocket. “What?”

He sat up straight in his seat with his head held high. “Where to, your Highness?”

She shook her head. “Will you stop with the damn cutesy names?”

Gage relaxed his posture and smirked at her, hearing the irritation in her voice. “Just trying to see what fits you.”

“Just fucking drive. 15 East 7th Street.” Her hand waved him on, and when he complied, turning his attention to the road ahead of him, she couldn’t help but allow her eyes to linger over his profile.

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