Page 52 of What She Deserves
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When Rashad entered his condo, soft music was playing, and the lights were dimmed. Layla sat on the sofa with her legs curled under her, reading a book.
“Hey,” he said by way of greeting.
She closed the book and set it on the table beside the sofa. “Hey. Have you eaten? I picked up a lasagna from La Tavola Italiano, in case you were hungry. It’s in the refrigerator.”
She was always thinking about him, making sure that he was taken care of.
“I ate at the office,” Rashad replied.
He bent to greet her with a kiss, but she turned away and stood.
“Something wrong?”
“No, I’m tired, that’s all. Tomorrow I’m flying to Miami with Ethan, and I’ll be spending the night there and coming back on Sunday.” She wouldn’t look at him, and her voice sounded stiff.
“Okay.”
He’d come a long way since their first relationship, when he didn’t trust Ethan at all. He’d finally accepted the man was her boss, nothing more. The bigger concern was Layla’s mood. He didn’t know how to tell Layla about his past and admit to the lies he’d told. He needed time to think, plan, strategize. Blurt out everything or ease her into it? He wasn’t sure.
“I’m going to take a shower and then go to bed. I’m tired,” he said.
“You left early this morning,” Layla remarked.
“I had to handle some things at work.” Rashad went into the bedroom, avoiding eye contact so he wouldn’t have to look at her when he lied again.
He removed his jacket and tossed it on the chair in front of the bed.
“The winery again?”
He turned to face Layla. He hadn’t been aware that she had followed him into the bedroom.
“Yes, minor details that need to be ironed out. Nothing too serious,” he replied.
“So it’s basically a done deal then?”
“Pretty much.”
He turned his back to her as he unbuttoned his shirt. He tossed that on the chair, as well, standing in his undershirt and slacks as he removed his shoes.
“I lied,” Layla said.
He swung to face her. “About what?”
“When you asked if something was wrong, I lied when I said there was nothing wrong, and that I was just tired.”
“Look, if you’re upset about my leaving you and your friends last night, I’ll make it up to you. I had a lot to take care of at the office, and—”
“Nowyou’relying.” She spoke in a matter-of-fact voice, quiet, simply looking at him.
He wasn’t sure how to take her mood. “What do you mean?”
“While I was at Avery’s, I called here and spoke to Liam. He told me that you had returned to the building and were upstairs. So then, the only question I have is, why lie? Why pretend that you went back to work? Did you not want to hang out with me and my friends?”
“No, that’s not why.” He started walking toward her.
“I know that’s not why. I also know that the reason you came back was because you wanted to look at the contents of that envelope.” She spoke in matter-of-fact tones, not raising her voice, but he sensed the heightened emotions behind the words.
