Page 22 of Sacrifice
"You say that like I'm running late. It's not even eight o'clock yet, which is when I told you I'd be here."
Layla can be a bit theatrical and has been since the day she was born. She’s the youngest out of the three of us kids. When they found out I was a boy, my dad made a promise to my mom they’d try again for a girl. Layla was the only one of us who went overdue. She wailed for a solid fifteen minutes until my dad stepped in and held her.
Our dad always joked he was surprised she didn’t grow up to be a singer with the pipes she had on her. I guess he was on the right track. She put her theatrics to good use as the elementary school music teacher.
Ever since I got back from the Navy, we’ve made it our weekly routine to meet up for coffee before we head off to work. Brit always makes it a point to have fresh Apple Cinnamon muffins ready for me. Like the good cousin I am, I’ll often take a couple extras off her hands.
There was a small crowd this morning; only a few people in line ahead of us. I spot Will and his wife, Phyllis, seated in the booth near the front. He had owned a car repair shop up until about six months ago when he decided to close their doors and retire.
He raises his hand and tilts his hat, nodding his head in a greeting.
When it’s my turn, Brit slides my coffee along the counter toward me and sets a paper bag next to it with what I assume are my goodies.
“Am I really that predictable?” I grin.
She shrugs. “Have I ever been wrong?”
“Well, there was that one time…” I trail off, joking.
Brit shakes her head and rolls her eyes. I toss a twenty on the counter and she snatches it away, punching a few buttons on the register before the drawer pops out.
The doorbell dings and I spot a wave of chocolate curls in my peripheral. If I hadn’t noticed her walk in, I certainly would’ve felt her presence.
My eyes lock with Haelynn. Her footsteps falter, standing in the doorway until the door closes, pushing her inside. She lets out a small yelp, caught by surprise, before pressing her lips into a firm line to hide her smile.
She does a quick glance around the diner to see if anyone heard her. I shrug, reassuring her it wasn’t a big deal.
“You know her?” Layla whispers under her breath.
“I’ll be right back,” I reply, waving to Brit to keep my change. I swipe the bag and coffee off the counter, crossing the room toward Haelynn.
“I guess it’ll be a good day after all.” I grin, stepping in close to her. The move stirs up the air between us and I breathe in the smell of her perfume mixed with the clean scent of her shampoo.
“Smooth talker,” she murmurs playfully.
“It’s the truth. I woke up this morning still thinking we had three days left. I’ve been counting them down, but it makes it a little more bearable seeing you now.”
“You come here often?” she asks, taking a step forward to join the end of the line.
I nod, peering over toward Layla and Brit. Although Brit was busy taking orders, I wasn’t blind to their curious glances they were throwing our way. I recognize their inquisitive looks, speculating what was going on between the two of us.
When I turn back toward Haelynn, her eyes bounce from Layla and back to me. She presses her lips into a straight line, adjusting her purse on her shoulder.
“You could say I’m a staple around here,” I joke. “That’s my sister and cousin over there… gawking.”
The tension on her face relaxes. “I recognized her. It took me a second to figure out where, but I think I saw her at Huxton’s school the other night.”
Layla, who’s busy listening in like a hawk, slips through the line toward us.
“Well, hello.” Layla smirks, her eyes moving from me, over to Haelynn, and back.
“Ignore my brother. He must’ve lost his manners. I’m Layla.” She extends her hand between us to shake Haelynn’s.
Brit greets Haelynn with a smile as Haelynn introduces herself to Layla. I’m surprised she already knows Brit already.
“Haelynn works for Makenna over at Memories and Moments,” Brit clarifies, and I nod. “We met when I took the twins in to get their pictures taken.”
“How do you know each other?” Layla asks, pointing between the two of us. She presses her lips together, trying to smother the grin threatening to stretch across her face.
