Page 30 of Laila Manning
He left a while ago to take care of whatever task Ryker had for him, but I was so unsettled I couldn’t sit still.
“Uh oh.” A voice called from across the yard, startling me as my eyes popped open in surprise. “You look—” Elora tilted her head to the side as she shifted Gavin to her other hip, “Buzzed?”
“I don’t drink,” I replied, swallowing down the guilt I felt at being caught being happy. Was that even a thing to feel guilty about?
“High?” She raised her brows as she watched me skeptically. “Don’t think I’m judging; it’s been forever since I had a good high.” She sighed.
“I don’t do drugs,” I replied, glossing over the rest of it.
“Then why do you look so—” She paused again and then scrunched up her nose, “Euphoric?”
“Euphoric?” I rolled my eyes, playing for nonchalance. “That’s too big a word for this time of day.”
She smirked and pursed her lips. “I agree. So, spill.”
“I’m fine.” I shook my head. “No drugs, alcohol, or spiritual bliss on board here.” I turned and walked toward the driveway, adjusting my purse on my shoulder. “I just slept well.”
“Then it has nothing to do with the tall, strapping, tattooed man that left a while ago whistling a tune on his way to work?” She called after me, stopping me in my tracks. “Sure thing.”
I looked over my shoulder at her, swallowing guiltily as she watched me, trying to come up with some cover story for my and Zeke’s good moods this morning.
She held her hand up, cutting me off before I could lie or refute her claim, though. “You owe me no explanation, Laila.” She smiled as Gavin babbled on in her arms. “Just thought it was worth mentioning the change was obvious in a good way.” She winked. “Get it, girl.”
“I didn’t—” I started and then bit my lip, fighting the urge to lie about it. “We didn’t—” I shook my head and sighed.
“It doesn’t matter.” She walked toward me, so she didn’t have to yell across the grass. “You deserve to be happy, whatever the cause.”
I sighed and kicked a loose pebble with the toe of my boot in uncertainty. “Jed doesn’t approve,” I admitted, feeling comfortable admitting that there was something between Zeke and me to anyone other than Carly, given her obligation to tell Jed.
“You’re a grown-up.” She stated plainly, “You don’t need your brother’s permission to date or be happy.”
“Don’t I though?” I tilted my head to the side, “I feel like I live under constant supervision.” I lifted my hands, showcasing the surrounding estate. “Every time I try to go somewhere or do anything, someone always pops up.”
“Yeah,” She nodded her head, adjusting Gavin once again, “The men here—” She shrugged her shoulders, “Tend to be a little overbearing.” She snickered, “But that doesn’t mean they’re right. Or in charge. Even if they don’t agree.”
“It’s complicated.” I deflected, “I don’t want to do anything to upset Jed or their friendship.”
“It’s not, actually.” She replied, “They’re adults too, Laila, and only they are responsible for their feelings, not anyone else.” She put her hand on my arm, and I didn’t flinch for the first time in months, “Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do anymore. And don’t you dare worry about a grown man’s feelings just because none of the men here can admit that all they want is what’s best for us girls without their macho toxic masculinity getting in the way.” She rolled her eyes. “Ask me how I know.”
I chuckled and relaxed a bit. “Yeah, I guess you do know. Better than most, I’m sure.” I hinted at her overprotective husband, who was probably the worst of all three men in charge here.
“I do.” She nodded, rocking a sleepy Gavin as he rested his head on her shoulder. “So, believe me when I say, Jed will get over whatever hang-ups he has about you being romantically involved with anyone.” She raised her eyebrows. “Even Zeke. Because at the end of the day girl, no one will treat you better than Mr. Serious himself.” She winked again. “He was one of my dad’s best friends and has been Ryker’s right-hand man since he took over Shadeport, but in all the years I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him treat a woman poorly. Not once.”
I cringed and backed up, “I don’t think I want to imagine him treating any woman in any way. At all.”
She smirked brightly and looked at me up and down as I took another step away, already knowing what was coming. “Does Laila Manning have a jealous streak?” She chuckled.
“It’s anyone’s guess.” I shrugged, tilted my head back, laughed, and then she called out one last thing.
“I guess we’ll find out.” As I walked down the driveway toward my waiting ride, I waved over my shoulder.
On autopilot, I rode through the East Valley and into town, replaying my early morning kiss with Zeke in my mind.
His taste and smell wrapped around me like a blanket when he touched me, filling my thoughts. The way his hands felt on my waist and my cheek, dominant and possessive but kind and reassuring at the same time.
I didn’t know if he pitied me, or if he was repulsed by the idea of what was done to me by those men, but he didn’t show it. He didn’t treat me like he was, but how could he not be?
I would be, wouldn’t I?
