Page 84 of The Playboy's Playbook
Dinner goes off without a hitch and we’re all thankful for it. Normally, Jen gets restless and starts misbehaving, but having Laila around more makes him a little calmer. Not much, but enough that the night won’t end in tears.
While the boys and Laila clean up, Luke and I step outside to the back patio.
“We talk about work over meals all the time. Why couldn’t you tell me at the table?” I ask.
“Because it comes with a huge favor and I didn’t want to blindside Laila,” he says nervously.
I furrow my eyebrows. “What’s up?”
“I’m going to be gone for a while.”
I nod slowly, not following what he needs exactly.
“While I’m gone, I need you to run things. I don’t have any major projects lined up until the middle of next year, so it shouldn’t be too much trouble. Just pay the bills on time and make sure everyone gets their holiday pay. By the time the next project rolls around, I’ll be back,” Luke explains.
I nod my head. “Why would this blindside Laila? You’ve been gone for a few weeks before.”
“This isn’t that kind of trip, Matty,” Luke looks at me hesitantly.
“Where exactly is this project?” I press.
“It’s a vineyard in Sonoma Valley. The projection completion timeline is six months, but I’m hoping after my initial visit I can shorten that. I’ll be heading out at the end of May and won’t be back until the end of November if I’m lucky.”
My eyes widened in surprise. Luke’s gone on projects before that have lasted close to a month, but a six-month project is a long time to be away, especially with him being a father.
“What about…” I start when he nods.
“The boys. I mean, I could take them for the summer, but I don’t want to take them from their summer school friends. And then, when school starts back, I’d have to have them go to school for three months in California while I finish the vineyard and then bring them back here. It’s not fair to them to do that,” he says, running his hands over his face.
“I know it’s a big ask and you two have your own lives, but I trust you and Laila with my life and those boys are my life. You can tell me no and I’ll call my brother right now and ask – ”
Laila walks over and stands next to me, placing her arm around my waist. “Absolutely not. The boys are okay to stay with us. We’ll just have to figure out whose house is their primary residence for school, get the paperwork signed for phone numbers and contacts, and work out the pick-up and drop off schedule, but we’re fine to watch the boys while you’re away. Plus, we have a few months to work it all out.”
I look down at her before wrapping my arm over her shoulder. “But you’re going back to D.C. in the morning.”
“Actually, Senator Mitchell called and she was approved to open a satellite office here. I’m going back to pack my apartment and then I’ll be here for good. Which means we can watch the boys while you’re gone, Luke.”
I smile and press a kiss to Laila’s temple at the news. Goodbye long distance, you can kiss my ass.
“They can be a handful, Laila,” Luke says.
“If you’re trying to convince us not to take them, it’s not working,” she says firmly.
“You heard my woman.” I smile at Laila.
“Thank you,” Luke breathes a sigh of relief. He retreats back inside, leaving Laila and I out on the patio.
“Looks like we’re playing house, baby,” I kiss her temple again, holding her close.
“I think it’ll be good practice for us,” she whispers. I walk in front of her and she smiles sweetly at me.
“Laila, are you…are we…” I fumble, placing my hand on her stomach.
Her eyes widen and she starts laughing. “Oh, no, Matt! I was just saying in general when we decide that we want to have kids, we’ll have had practice taking care of someone that doesn’t have fur, four legs, and a tail.”
I nod and pull her into my arms. We stand in a silent embrace, our comfortable silence falling over us.
“I love you, Matt,” Laila says, her voice soft and low. I tilt her face up to me and place a delicate kiss on her lips.
“I love you, more Laila.”
