Page 14 of Falling for the Guy Next Door

“For the first set you were standing right up front, then I didn’t see you anymore. I admit, I was disappointed.”

She rubbed her feet back and forth in the sand. “Your speakers were too loud.” Her face popped up. “Not that I didn’t enjoy the music. Truly, Nash, your voice is incredible. I see now why my friend, Emily, is such a huge fan.”

“Emily was the blonde with the yellow sundress standing next to you?”

Layla nodded. “Yes, and I guess I told you that she has a big crush on you. In my defense, I didn’t know I was talking to the object of her desire. And since it seemed half the women standing around the stage were there because of their crush on the lead singer, I guess I didn’t reveal too big of a secret. I never told Emily that we met outside. But just to let you know—she really is a wonderful person, funny and pretty and she loves to laugh. She handed Bosco a napkin with her phone number on it.”

I felt myself sinking into the sand with disappointment. I was sitting there slowly developing a major crush on Layla, and she was busy trying to divert my attention to her best friend, a clear sign that Layla had no interest in me. Bosco mentioned that she’d turned him down because she wasn’t interested in any new friendships.

“Uh, yeah, I got a few napkins last night.” I watched as Rocky trotted back down to the water to chase gulls.

“Any chance you might call her?” she asked sweetly. “Never mind. That was nosy and stupid of me. It’s just Emi is my best friend, and she, well, she deserves something great and you seem pretty great.”

I didn’t answer.

“Sorry, that was pushy of me,” she said.

“No, you were doing something nice for your friend, and knowing she’s your close friend assures me she’s a very cool person.”

“She is. Maybe I can introduce you sometime if Emily is visiting.” She covered her mouth. “Nosy and pushy again.”

“No, that’s fine. Sure, I’d love to meet her, but—well—you know I’m only here until October.”

“I know, but honestly, I think just meeting you will be like a trip to the moon for her.” She picked up the bag again. “More apples?”

I shook my head. “No, thanks.”

She rested back, and I’d never seen anyone look so adorable just by tilting their head. “I suppose a guy like you already has someone, a sweetheart waiting back in your hometown, in Texas. And gee whiz, Layla, that certainly wasn’t nosy,” she said to herself. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”

“It’s all right, really. Not nosy at all. I get the same question a lot. I’m always traveling and working. I don’t think it would be fair to any woman, so there’s no one.” Right then, Rocky came bounding back to the towel and sat on me. “Just me and the sand monster, here.”

“Oh, but he’s such a cute sand monster and a worthwhile friend, I’m sure.”

“That he is.”

Her phone beeped. She pulled it out of her bag and pressed her fingers to her lips. “It’s Emily. I can’t just drop the bomb and say ‘Hey, Emi, I’m hanging out with Nash Ledger on the beach.’ She’ll split in two. Literally.”

I laughed. “Literally?”

“Nope, you’re right. The other one. Metaphorically. My sister, Ella, is always correcting me on that mistake. She’s the writer in the family.”

“So, no café or bakery?”

“Nope, that’s Isla and Aria, the two eldest. Ella is in the middle, then there’s Ava. She’s a scientist, and she’s been around the world many times. She teaches at the university.”

“Impressive bunch. So, you’re the baby?” I asked.

“Yes, the spoiled-rotten, over-coddled princess of the family, or so Aria likes to say whenever we’re not getting along. It’s all right because I call her the elderly dictator. But we almost always get along, so those sibling knives don’t come out too often. How about you? Got any brothers or sisters?”

I nodded and realized then that I left the house without my phone. I was never without it since the accident. It seemed whenever I left it behind or couldn’t look at it, Becky called with some sort of emergency. “I’ve got a twin sister, and now that you bring her up, I need to get back up to the house and check to see if she’s called.”

Layla watched, puzzled, as I hopped to my feet. “Hope it wasn’t something I said.”

“No, not at all. This has been really nice. My sister is taking care of my mom. Mom had an accident a year ago, and she’s still recuperating. Becky, my twin sister, calls me when there’s a problem. I raced down here to make sure Rocky wasn’t bothering you and forgot my phone.”

“That makes sense.” She peered up at me with a smile. “So, dreamy and a good son and brother—nice combo. Emily has good taste.”

“It was really great finally meeting you, Layla. I guess I’ve got Rocky to thank for that.”

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