Page 38 of The Only Time

“Oh, I didn’t know that you knew. Umm, what does Mia want to do?”

I hand the phone back to Mia. “Tell her I’m taking you.”

“Layla?” Mia says while glaring at me. “Yeah, I told him. Uh huh. No, I suppose it would be safer with someone who knows. Okay. I’ll see you tonight.”

She hangs up the phone and slams it on the counter then comes after me. She pushes my chest, and I actually fall backward, needing to catch myself with my foot. Shit, she’s strong. It’s kind of hot. I have to try not to smirk at her after she pushes me again.

“What the hell was that for?” she demands. “You don’t get to make decisions for me. I’m a grown woman. I can make those on my own. And based on the way you ran away like a scared little boy last night— I wouldn’t think you would want to have dinner with me.”

My face falls at her words but I do my best to recover quickly. “I’m just trying to protect you. You know as well as I do it’s safer with me there. I’ll be hyper-aware of our surroundings. That way, you can just relax and enjoy Layla’s restaurant. I’m trying to help you, and here you are coming at me. Now, I’m going to go get ready for dinner. Isuggestyou do the same.”

I walk away feeling butthurt—feeling like a child. I don’t like her calling me scared. And I didn’t run away last night. I chose not to put myself in a situation that could end in disaster. It’s called self-preservation.

After I spend far too much time picking out what to wear. I settle on a black button down and dark jeans. It doesn’t mean anything that I do my hair or that I opt to spray a bit of cologne on before I leave the bathroom. That means nothing.

I’m sitting at my kitchen island when I hear Mia walk downstairs. As she steps into the room, I feel my breath catch.Everything else seems to fade. My pulse quickens and I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips, feeling a little dazed, as if seeing her for the first time.

She’s in a red dress that hugs her breasts perfectly and flows loosely below her small waist. Her dark hair is down in waves and she’s wearing red lipstick to match her dress.

Fuck. She looks hot. This is going to be a long night.

An hour later, we’re seated at the restaurant waiting for my sister to come by.

“Do you know what you want to drink?” Mia asks as she looks over the menu.

I shrug. “I’ll probably order a beer.”

Her eyebrows turn up. “Just a beer?”

“I’m sorry. Would you like me to order some fruity pink drink? Is that what kind of men you’re used to dating?”

“Are you saying this is a date?” she asks with a smirk.

“What? No! That’s not what I meant.”

Her head falls back as she laughs at my defensive response.

“What’s so funny?” Layla asks, her presence startling me.

“Oh, Eric was telling me how he always wanted to try your fruitiest pink drink but has been too afraid to ask.”

My cheeks feel hot as a wave of embarrassment hits me.

“Oh, um, ok. You could’ve asked me for…that,” Layla replies awkwardly then turns to Mia. “And what can I get you?”

She taps at her chin with her finger while thinking. “I’ll take whatever foreign beer you have on tap,” she says then winks at me.

“Got it. One beer and one fruity pink drink coming up.”

Layla walks away before I can get my shit together enough to change my drink order.

She smiles proudly as she rests her chin on her hand. “So, tell me more about your woodworking. I can’t stop thinking about it. When do you think you’ll be healed enough to work again?”

Her question takes me by surprise. “I was thinking about starting back this weekend. I can move my arm with only slight pain now, so I think by the weekend, I should be in a good spot. What do you want to know about it?”

“What’s your favorite piece so far?” she asks.

I lean forward and rest my chin on my hand mirroring her. “That’s easy. My second piece.”

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