Page 31 of Revelation (Love Isn't What It Seems 3)

“Want to talk about it, Layla?” Such a simple question, but it formed a lump in my throat. My grandparents never asked that question. Hell, even before my accident when I’d get back from my grandparents' visits all depressed, my mother never asked if I wanted to talk about it. Or if I was okay. She was more interested in grilling me about every single thing that happened or what was said.

I shook my head in response, scared to open my mouth. My voice would betray me right now.

We both started eating but Maxim was faster with his food. As I put another forkful into my mouth, he started speaking.

“My friend and I have a nonprofit,” he explained. “It is really important to us. We ran into some issues and are trying to work those out.”

He paused and I watched him, interested to hear where it was going. When he didn’t continue, I swallowed my food and took a drink of water before I spoke up.

“That sounds interesting.” I couldn’t quite figure out why he was telling me that. “Is it for a certain cause or more like a general nonprofit foundation? I’m assuming it is a foundation?”

“Yes, it is a very specific foundation for families of physically or mentally disabled soldiers and families of deceased soldiers.”

My eyes widened, everything else immediately forgotten. “Is it a Wounded Uniform project?”

“Yes. How did you guess?”

“Wild guess. Oh my gosh, you are the one running it?” He nodded. “That was one of my top nonprofit foundations I wanted to get into. Right after Troubled Teens foundation.”

“You should have applied. You would have been a perfect addition to our company.”

All that time, I could have been doing something to make a difference, something I was passionate about.

I gave him a tight smile. “My grandfather is on a board or something. He objected to me applying.” I shrugged my shoulders and put another forkful into my mouth. I truly believed my grandfather was ashamed of me. Both my grandparents. Otherwise, why would they keep me such a shameful secret?

“How about you apply now?” Maxim’s question had me raising my head. His expression was serious. But maybe I wasn’t reading him right.

I took a gulp of water, then met his gaze. “Seriously?”

“I wouldn’t joke about something like that.”

“But my grand-”

“It is not his foundation,” he wouldn’t let me finish. “It is Daniel’s and mine. I will expect to see your résumé. Daniel will have to check you out, but you already have my vote.”

I smiled stupidly. “But you don’t really know if I can even do it. It’s been a long time since I’ve even been in that industry.”

“It’s like riding a bike, right?” He grinned. I wasn’t sure if that was a good comparison. “Either way, you will definitely be better than what we have now.”

“You mentioned issues,” I asked hesitantly.

“Nothing for you to worry about. If you are serious and want to do this, send me your résumé.”Holy shit. The day was looking up.“Can I have your phone?”

I eyed him suspiciously while digging through my purse for it. “You better not wipe out all my stuff. I have some incriminating pictures of girls I don’t want to lose.”

I was done eating and shoved my plate away. I watched as his fingers flew across my phone.

“Okay, I added my contact to your phone. Under Maxim the Great.” Despite having a panic attack barely ten minutes ago, I laughed. “And sent myself a text so I have you in my contacts. I’ve added my email under the contact address book but I’ll also text it to you.”

“Thank you.” He would never know how much this meant to me. “I mean it. This probably made my year. Hell, it might be the best thing this decade.”

“No, Layla,” he murmured, his voice soft. “You and I are the best thing this decade.” My lips parted in shock, wondering if he was joking or not. “You ready?”

Still in shock, I just nodded. He left the payment on the table and took my hand without another word as we headed towards my place.

I glanced at him again and found him watching me too. We walked the rest of the way in silence, my mind full of thoughts threatening to burst. Some good, some bad, and lots of them exciting.

“This is me,” I pointed to the row home.

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