Page 86 of Business Casual
Nova and I haven’t discussed it, but I’m pretty sure telling people about our situation falls outside the lines of business casual. It doesn’t feel right to lie to Layla, but I don’t want to break Nova’s trust either. It’s our business. No one else’s.
“The bear claws were good today,” I say, trying my best to infuse my voice with as much enthusiasm as possible. “Did you use sea salt again?”
“Yeah, I used sea salt. It’s a new recipe I’m trying where I put it in the glaze.” She dumps her armful of dirty dishes into the sink with a clatter. “But I was referring to what you think you’re doing with Nova.”
I shrug and try to keep my face from doing anything weird. “Nova?”
Layla gives me a look. “Yes. Nova. This tall.” She holds up her hand in front of her. “Blond hair. Pretty tattoos.”
I have to bite the inside of my cheek against my smile. Her tattoos aresopretty.
Layla widens her eyes. “You know. Beckett’s youngest sister.”
“I know who Nova is, Layla. What are you asking?”
She turns on the water and grabs for the bottle of soap. “Why is Nova wearing your watch around town?”
This time I can’t help my smile. It tugs at my mouth until I’mbeaming at Layla across the small kitchen, a deep satisfaction settling in my bones. I didn’t realize she was wearing it out of the house. She likes to taunt me with it when we’re both naked, the watch and only the watch on her wrist. I think she likes to remind me of how easy it was for her to bring me to my knees.
But I like to remind her that I certainly make it worth her while when I’m down there.
“She won a bet,” I tell Layla, rubbing my fist against my mouth, trying to scrub my smile away.
Layla arches a single eyebrow. “You bet your ten-thousand-dollar watch?”
No. I bet something, and that is the something that Nova said she wanted. She won the bet. She got the watch. I would have given her anything she asked for.
“It wasn’t ten thousand dollars,” I shrug. “And I have other watches.”
“Interesting.”
“Is it?”
Layla runs her soapy fingers beneath the water. “Very.”
“How so?”
“That stupid smile on your face, for one.” She shuts off the water and grabs a dish towel in the shape of a Christmas tree, drying her hands as she considers me, her mouth set in a firm line. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look like that.”
“What? Stupid?”
“No,” she says. “Happy.”
I feel it like a hand pressed flat to the middle of my chest, shoving me back. “I am happy,” I manage around a throat that feels too tight. I don’t know why that word bothers me so much. “I’m usually a happy guy, Layla.”
I’m having fun with Nova. That’s all this is. A release for the both of us. It’s not what Layla is implying.
Layla hums, watching me as she dries her hands. “Okay.”
“Okay, what?”
She shrugs and tosses the towel to the side. She pulls out a flat silver tray from the cabinet behind her and places it on the work table. She grabs a mixing bowl and drops it in front of me. “Okay. Just okay. You had a bet. She’s wearing your watch. We’ll leave it at that. Do you want to help me make some scones or do you need to go to your fake meeting?”
I take the bowl she hands me. Then the spoon. She reaches under the counter and sifts through some drawers before she emerges with a pale pink apron, ruffles at the edges. She tugs it over my head and then ties it at the small of my back. I still haven’t moved an inch.
“It wasn’t a fake meeting,” I say.
It was absolutely a fake meeting.
