Page 60 of For the Love of Layla

He smiles before kissing me again, “It's you and me. Anything that’s happened, we can work through it together. Until you feel comfortable again.” I can’t stop the tears that well in my eyes, “After everything I did… breaking up with you, sneaking into your office, accusing you of stalking me, you’re still on my side.”

“I never left, Layla.”

“I lov-”

He cuts me off, handing me my phone. I didn’t even notice he had grabbed it from the dresser. “Here, I’ll go get started, okay? Bacon pancakes, your favorite.” I nod giving him a small smile as I grip it in my hand pulling it towards my chest as it flutters.

I love you, Liam. I’m in love with you.

My smile gets larger as the weight and truth behind those words sinks deeper into my skin. I glance down at the black screen, grateful he cut me off before I said it out loud. I want it to be right, without all of this... madness taking up my every waking thought. Withouthismemory on my skin. I push the button on my pulse steadily picking up speed as I stare down at the screen watching it come to life.

“Peaches, outside.”

I glance away, thankful for the distraction as I watch her trot through the side door into his large backyard that he had fenced in just for her. It hasn’t went unnoticed by me that aside from all of my clothes still being hung in his closet, all of her things remained in place too.

He’s always knew we would come back. Never doubted it for a second.

My cheeks heat as I think of the box of feminine products he had restocked since I left him too. They were tucked away in the cabinet, right where I always kept them. The way he pulled my tampon from me was beyond embarrassing, but sweet in his uniquely weird way. I chew on my bottom lip as I unlock the screen, waiting for the flood of messages, threats, and missed calls.

There are none.

My stomach knots, somehow that’s worse. The only message is from an unsaved number I recognize as the personal investigator I used to dig up that old case file. Best in the state, so his website proclaimed. I only picked him because he owed Danvers, big time. Still not my best moment. I quickly glance at Liam as he mixes ingredients together in a bowl, his copper toned hair disheveled from sleep. I shouldn’t open it, not after everything. My finger hovers over the chat. The wannabe failed journalist in me insists I at the very least read what he has to say.

563-284-5529: I managed to get ahold of the file, thought you might want to know want I found. COD for the nanny was left as undetermined according to the first coroner report, but listed as suspicious. There was another autopsy done directly after the initial report came back. A second opinion funded by the family, ruled it a suicide. Seems the first autopsy showed the way she fell wasn’t consistent with a jump. Make of that what you will. I attached the full file if you want a closer look. Danvers and I are even now, please pass that along to your former boss.

I sit there for a long time staring at those words, the meaning behind them. The implications of it all cutting through the moment of peace I had made for myself this morning.

“Pancakes will be done in a minute. Everything okay, little star?” I jump slightly, my heart racing in my chest as I try to wrap my head around what I just read. “Yeah, fine. Ava is pissy I went MIA.”

His jaw ticks, his hand clenching on the spatula, “No messages from your stalker?”

I raise my eyebrows, digging my nails into my thigh, “Actually no, guess that kind of threw me off a bit.” A fat silence and his eyes never leave me.

“Liam?”

“Yeah?”

“It’s burning.”

His head snaps back towards the pan quickly flicking a burnt piece of pancake onto the counter, “Shit.” I open up the file he attached, my thoughts running quicker than I can read the words on the page.

One witness, six-year-old, Liam Curran. Mother, Grace Curran, and grandmother, Malory Curran, were uncooperative with police, but present in the house at the time of death. Lawyers involved before officials could question the boy about scratches left on the decedent’s arms, neck and face. Indicative of an altercation. No marks were observed on the boy at the scene.

My hands start to tremble as I stand slowly from his couch, tucking my phone into my palm, all too aware of his eyes on me. “Breakfast is almost ready. Where are you going?”

“Need to pee.” I say, smiling at him as I tuck my hair behind my ear. Please just let me go to the bathroom. I need to think.

“You need your phone for that?” He jokes, but I notice the way his fist tightens on the hot pan before he sticks it underneath the running water. Steam rolls from the sink, the cold water bubbling as it connects with the metal.

The best lies are mixed with a little truth.

I chuckle and it comes out forced, “No. I was off my in own world. Apparently, I got a lead back for a work thing I thought had fallen through.” I say as I toss it back to the couch and head towards the bathroom. My throat tightens uncomfortably as I shut the door behind me.

Take a deep breath. The second coroner ruled it a suicide. Don’t overthink it, everything is okay just… relax. It's okay. It's okay.

In… out.

In… out.

---