Page 13 of Falling for the Guy Next Door

“Uh, you said it was Mr. Nash. I told you my name was Nash.”

Layla bowed her head. “You are right. And I’m feeling rather silly that I didn’t know it was you that I’d pulled around to hide me.”

“And pretend kiss,” I added. “Haven’t forgotten that part.” And Nash Ledger was back. I was crediting my dog with finding my mojo again. I really needed to have him out as wingman more often.

Layla was suntanned, but I could see a pink blush on her cheeks. They were dotted with light brown freckles that were only visible on her naturally golden skin when standing close and in sunlight. Her eyes were cocoa brown, and they were surrounded by thick, long lashes that matched her dark copper hair.

The water pushed in and out around us, lapping at our shins and occasionally washing over Rocky’s back. He’d had enough of the sea, and he trounced out of the water, apparently satisfied that he’d finished his mission of getting his new friend and his dad together.

Layla lifted a hand to shield her eyes as she looked up toward the house. “You’re staying in Audrey’s cottage? You’re the new neighbor.”

“So, you’re one of the Lovely sisters,” I said. “I suppose I should have guessed. Audrey mentioned that you were in the cottage next door in case I needed information about the town. She said no one knew Whisper Cove like the Lovely sisters.”

Layla was nodding along with that assessment. “I can also recommend some great eating places in town.” She peered up at me through those long lashes and once again, a breath caught in my chest. “You might have already been to Whisper Cove Café, but I think I would have remembered if you’d walked into the bakery. I work there. My sister, Isla, owns it, and I heartily recommend it. She’s a fabulous baker.”

“I'll have to stop by. I haven’t had a chance to get into town yet, but Audrey did mention the café and bakery.”

“My sister, Aria, owns the café.”

I laughed. “That makes sense.”

I’d lost track of my wet dog. He’d found Layla’s towel and was rolling around on it to dry off. “Oh wow, I’m sorry. I’ve got some dry towels up at the cottage if you need one.”

Layla laughed at Rocky as he rolled back and forth, occasionally stopping mid-roll with his wet paws up in the air. “I don’t live far, remember?”

I raked my hair back, embarrassed. “Right. Duh.”

“I’ve got some cold apple slices and iced teas in that cooler if you’re interested. You’ll have to sit on Rocky’s towel though. I only brought down one chair.”

“Sure, and can I say that’s very neighborly of you considering my dog has been acting like a monkey escaped from the zoo this morning. And yesterday.”

Layla looked over at me as we trudged across the hot sand. “Yesterday?”

“I was up in the house talking on the phone and keeping an eye on Rocky. I saw him barge in on your sunning session.”

“He did and I welcomed it. He’s such a honeybunch.”

We reached the towel. Rocky finished his rolling extravaganza with a wild shake. Fortunately, he’d gotten most of the water off on the towel. Rocky trotted over and looked up at her with that lost, stray puppy dog look he’d perfected when I spotted him at the rescue. He’d walked to the front of the pen and stared up at me, and that was it. Minutes later, he was sitting in the passenger seat of the truck with one of his big paws on my arm letting me know that we were now best friends and never to be parted again. And he was right.

Layla crouched down and hugged him, wet, sandy fur, and all. “We had a few cats growing up here at my grandmother’s cottage, but never a big, cool dog like this. I’ve always wanted one. My sisters and I are so busy, we’ve never had time for one.”

“Well, I’m sure Rocky will gladly step in to that void anytime you want. I have a feeling I’m going to have a hard time getting him to follow me home after this.”

I straightened out the towel. Rocky had left it with the pungent smell of wet dog. Layla sat in her chair and twisted around to reach into the cooler. She pulled out a bag of sliced apples.

Rocky immediately pushed his nose against the bag. “Does he like apples?” she asked.

“He likes anything that doesn’t bite back.”

Layla laughed as Rocky nibbled the slice of apple in her fingers. She handed over the bag. “Here you go. I suppose it would have been more polite to offer them to you before Rocky.” She rubbed the side of the dog’s big face. “It’s just, he’s so irresistible.”

“Yep, I’ve heard that before. I always consider him my wingman, but really, it’s more like the other way around.” I ate the slice of apple and turned to her. “Did you have any more problems last night, after the incident outside?”

Layla stretched out her long legs and dug her toes into the sand. “No, I think Dustin left after he saw me. I hope that’s the last I’ll see of him.”

I nodded. “That’s good. You didn’t stay for the whole show.”

Her lips parted in surprise. “How do you know that?”

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