Page 130 of The Tryst

He’s quiet, and I can’t tell where we stand or even where hewantsto stand. Especially when he’s studying the menu board on the wall like he’s never been here before. I can barely tolerate the awkward and it’s only been a minute.

“Are you hungry?” he asks, turning back to me at the same time I blurt out, “I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything sooner. I miss our friendship and our jokes and our teasing, and I really want to find a way to get it back. What can I do to make things right?”

He startles. “Oh.”

“Oh?”

“I mean,” he says, then scratches his jaw, furrows his brow. “Actually, I’m okay with everything.”

I lean forward, my eyes popping. “You are?”

“I figure it’ll be awkward, like the last few minutes were. But I think I get it, Layla.”

“You do?” Color me shocked.

The corner of his mouth hooks into a grin. “Well, you clearly have a type.”

Then he lets his grin widen like he caught me at something—liking Bancroft/Adams men.

I laugh, too. “Maybe I do.”

He reaches across the table and ruffles my hair. “Listen, we don’t have to rehash what happened. That shit was hard to do with my dad. I was a little exhausted and wrung out after I talked to him. And I decided I don’t want to stay pissed at people. Especially people I love. There are too many other shitty things in the world. There are animals who need homes, and people who are starving, and a planet that needs saving. Andyou,” he says, pointing at me. “You helped me plan a fundraiser for something that matters deeply to me. What kind of asshole would I be if I was annoyed at you for liking my dad?”

My heart balloons until it hardly fits in my chest. And I’m not sure there’s much more to say, other than, “Thank you.”

“No,” he says, emphatic. “Thank you. You did all of that—you hosted it, you helped. There’s no list of grievances.” Then he sighs, long and pointed. “I mean, besides the fact that you cheated on me. But it’s all in the family so I can accept it.”

I laugh harder. “I’m so relieved.”

He looks to the board with hunger in his eyes. “Want to eat and then come with me to see my girl?”

“I’d love to.”

When we’re done, he grabs a sandwich to go for Cynthia, just like Nick has done for him in the past. I hide my private smile. He’s so much like his father in his love language.

On our way, he stops outside Cosmo’s, his expression suddenly stern. “But let’s just make one thing clear.”

Solemnly, I nod, ready for whatever he wants from me. “Anything.”

“When you marry him, I’m going to have a field day calling you stepmom.”

There’s too much to unpack there, so I zoom in on one thing. “Sure,stepson. Feel free.”

At the hospital, I meet his girlfriend for the first time, and she’s a total sweetie. In short, she’s perfect for him.

She gestures to the makeup brushes. “Now, can you show me how all this stuff works?”

“I definitely can,” I say, and spend the next hour doing her makeup.

45

I HAD A FEELING

Layla

On Sunday morning, I swing my tennis racket over my shoulder and head out the door to meet my mom at the club. Nick leaves with me, his hand on my ass the whole time we walk down the hallway to the elevator.

As we wait for the lift, he turns to me, a playful grin on his face. “Now remember, sweetheart. Just say these words to her.Nick has a bigger, better cock than any man in the world, so stop setting me up.”

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