Page 10 of Layla

“I must admit, I’ve enjoyed getting to know you a bit over the last few days. This has been fun,” Peyton said.

“Yeah, it’s been great. I guess we won’t see each other much anymore. With you moving to Brennan County and all.”

“Won’t you visit Layla?”

She took another sip of champagne. “Sure. I guess some. It’s kind of…well, not my thing. If that makes any sense.”

“Oh really?” he said with one eyebrow raised. His smirk grew.

Despite her best efforts not to, Courtney laughed. “What?”

He studied her for another moment before answering, “I’m just not convinced.”

“Oh my gosh. You can’t be serious.” Her playful laugh—and the fist she bumped against his arm—was a little more flirtatious than she’d intended it to be.

Okay, Courtney, he’s hot. Sure. Sexy. Oh my gosh. So sexy. But he’s not your type. Sweet, charming, handsome, sexy, and rich aren’t bad. A Dom. Or whatever they’re called. That’s bad. Don’t pursue this.

“I suspect, Courtney, that I’ll be seeing you in Brennan County very soon.”

He winked, polished off the rest of his champagne, then waved back at someone who was trying to get his attention from across the courtyard.

“If you’ll excuse me,” he said. He began walking away but cast a glance over his shoulder. “Oh, and be sure to save me a dance. That’s an order, missy.”

Courtney felt like a schoolgirl as she put her tongue between her teeth and giggled. She could only imagine how red her cheeks were.

Get it together! You’re embarrassing yourself.

She downed her own champagne and then looked around until she saw Layla and Kirk. Kirk was getting pulled into a conversation with an older man and his wife, so Courtney made her way to her friend. Her giddiness subsided, replaced by flat-out embarrassment. What on earth did Peyton mean by that little comment about seeing her in Brennan County? Did he actually think he knew her? Like he had some sort of insight? He had no clue what she wanted. What she didn’t. He didn’t know a thing about her.

One thing was for sure: she would never live in Brennan County. It would be a chore just going there to visit Layla.

“Hey,” she said, walking up to the gorgeous, radiating bride.

“Hey! I saw you talking to Peyton.” Layla wore a knowing grin.

For a moment, Courtney was tempted to go with it and excitedly tell her all about the conversation but decided against it. She couldn’t give in. She wouldn’t.

Instead, she offered a disinterested, “Yeah. He’s alright, I guess.”

Layla waited for more but when it was obvious that nothing was coming, she nodded. “You okay?”

“I am. Are you?”

“Me? Of course. I just got married!”

“That’s the thing,” Courtney said. “I’m happy for you but are you sure about all this? There’s still time for you to run away.”

Layla’s smile faded before being replaced by a scowl. “No, there isn’t. We just had a ceremony. Signed the license. Your name is on it, too, as a witness. Remember?”

“Look, don’t get upset, I’m just making sure,” Courtney said. “I’m worried about you.”

“Don’t be. Even if it wasn’t too late to backout, I wouldn’t want to. Courtney, I love Kirk.” A tense moment passed. “Are you going to be okay with this?”

“Of course,” Courtney said. “I just hope you are. I’m not sure you’re really cut out for this whole submission thing.” She offered a shrug and then spun on her heels and strolled away.

“Everything okay?” Kirk asked, now back from the conversation he’d been pulled into.

A few seconds ticked off before Layla smiled and turned to face her husband. “Of course.

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