Page 142 of The Tryst

51

ANYTHING FOR YOU

Nick

Several Months Later

“What do you think?” David stands in my office holding out a blue velvet box, the top flipped open.

I shield my eyes from the shine of the diamond. “It’s blinding me,” I say. Then in all seriousness, I add, “It’s gorgeous.”

He closes the box, relieved. “Thanks. Layla helped me pick it out.”

“Cynthia will love it.” She’ll be over the moon—those two are the real deal. After her recovery from the broken leg, she moved in with David in the city. She has a better boss and she’s bartending at a new spot in Brooklyn. Bet it drives Rose and her parents batty that David fell for thisregular girl, but I don’t care what they think. I care that my kid is happy and thriving. “When are you asking her?”

“This weekend. We’re going camping.”

“Don’t lose it in the woods,” I warn him.

“I won’t,” he says, then tucks it in his pocket. “I should get back to work.”

He’s still at my firm, handling marketing and social media. But he’s scaled back by a few hours so he can devote time to A Helping Paw. His charity’s been growing both in funds and awareness. I’m so damn proud of this kid.

“Let me know when she says yes,” I say.

David exits as Finn comes in. They exchange hellos, then Finn shuts the door. His expression shifts immediately to solemn and serious.

“She did it,” he says as he slumps into a chair.

I don’t have to ask who or what. I just move to the chair across from him and then listen as he tells me about the end of his marriage.

* * *

At a bowling alley in Brooklyn, a few weeks later, I nail all ten pins for a strike.Sweet!

I don’t showboat—no one likes that—but I happily accept a kiss from my woman.

“You are such a bowling stud,” Layla coos, then plants another kiss on my cheek.

“Are you leaving lipstick marks on me again?”

“I might be,” she says coyly.

“Hmm. I might need to bend you over the bed and spank you for doing that,” I whisper.

Her blue eyes sparkle. “Yes, please.”

I growl, then shake off the dirty thoughts ravaging my brain. “Focus. Party. Stop distracting me like you did the day I met you.”

“I can’t help it,” she says. When it’s her turn with a bowling ball, I take a seat and enjoy watching her send the ten-pounder down the lane. She knocks down a handful of pins, then a few more, then stands aside to cheer on Cynthia as my son’s fiancée takes her own turn.

We’re here at Cynthia’s new workplace for their engagement party. Spoiler alert: she said yes.

My dad and mom are here too, and no surprise, they love Layla. They’ve gotten to know her over the past several months. Layla moved in with me, so it’s our home now, and it sure feels like one when we cook for friends and family. My parents sometimes, David and Cynthia at other times. Every now and then Layla’s mom comes over. Anna even helps out in the kitchen, since she’s started cooking again occasionally. Anna Mayweather and I aren’t the best of friends, and we never will be. But she knows I make Layla happy, and she respects our relationship. That’s all that matters. Also, Anna decided she’s ready to start dating again. At the dinner table, Layla will go through her list of possible men and it’s fucking hilarious to watch Layla try to set up her mom.

Right now though, I’m a proud dad and a happy guy. My kid’s getting married to the woman of his dreams. I’m living with the love of my life.

When Layla joins me on the yellow plastic seats, I thread my fingers through hers. Running my thumb across her skull rings, then along her ring finger, I picture another ring there someday.

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