Page 57 of Rock

Remi opened the door she’d come out of, took Lyla’s hand, and gently pulled her inside. She shut the door behind them and led Lyla to a sofa. “I’m sorry,” she said as they sat.

Lyla wiped her eyes. She hadn’t realized tears had formed. “No. Don’t be. It’s not you. Shoot.” She wiped them again. Damn tears. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m crying.”

Remi rubbed her arm. “It’s okay. We can be a bit much at times. We didn’t mean to make you feel overwhelmed. It’s just that…”

Lyla swallowed and looked at Remi. If Lyla had had a child, she would be Remi’s age. But she hadn’t.

Remi grabbed her hand. “Do you want me to get my dad?”

“No.” Lyla swallowed back her emotions and shook her head. “No, please. I’m okay. Go on, what were you going to say? It’s just that, what?”

Remi licked her lips. “Well, my Dad’s been alone a long time. When we heard he’d met you… Well, we didn’t know he’dalready known you in the past. That didn’t really matter. We were just… I mean, I… I was hoping he’d found someone. We all worry about him. Me. I worry about him the most. He’s alone. And…” Remi’s bottom lip quivered.

Lyla’s tears fell again. She couldn’t stop them. She pulled Remi into her arms and hugged the woman tightly. “I was worried you wouldn’t want your dad to be with another woman.”

Remi leaned back. “God, no. I’ve prayed he would meet someone for years. It’s hard for him. He doesn’t exactly subscribe to dating apps.” She chuckled and swiped at tears again. “Where is a middle-aged widower supposed to find a Little?”

Lyla sniffled, smiling through the tears. “I’m not quite sure I’m Little. I haven’t even thought about it since the last time I saw your dad.”

Remi smiled. “When did you last see him? He didn’t tell us all the details.”

“The night of my prom. He…” Lyla took a deep breath. “I was so young.” Lyla held up a finger. “Eighteen, though.”

Remi giggled and rolled her eyes. “I was a teenager once. I’m not naïve.”

Lyla drew in a deep breath. “Anyway, you don’t want the gritty details about your dad, but the important thing is that my prom date turned out to be a douchebag. I was upset when I got home. Your dad was there, waiting for me. He comforted me.”

Remi waved a hand between them. “Among other things. I get it. Skip that part.”

Lyla chuckled. “It was the first and only time I acknowledged my Little side. Your dad left town for an internship a few days later, and then I went away to college. We never saw each other again.”

“Why?”

Lyla sighed. “That’s another story. Rock and I haven’t discussed it yet.”

“Okay. I understand. So, you’re here. And you still like my dad.”

Lyla smiled. More tears fell for whatever reason. She nodded. “I do. Ireallylike your dad. It’s like no time passed at all. It feels like I’ve been here weeks instead of one day.”

Remi squeezed her hand. “Do you think you have a Little side?”

“I don’t know. It’s foreign to me right now. Rock thinks I do.” Lyla reached up and thumbed a lock of Remi’s hair. “You’re so pretty. I’m so glad he got married and had you and Atlas.”

“Do you have kids?”

“No. I couldn’t have any. And I’m not sure I was cut out for motherhood anyway. I keep thinking if I hadn’t left… If I had stayed with Rock…” She swallowed hard. “He wouldn’t have you and Atlas.”

Remi reached up and hugged her again. “You’re here now. I know you’re important to my dad. I want you to feel welcome here. Everyone wants you to feel welcome.”

Lyla nodded. “I do. Thank you.”

“If you want to borrow some clothes, I have some things that aren’t black.” Remi giggled. “But maybe it would be better if you stayed in your regular clothes tonight. Observe. Figure out what your style is.”

“Well, I don’t think it’s going to be goth,” Lyla teased.

They both laughed.

Remi winced when she leaned back.

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