Page 153 of Fighting Chance

LAYLA

the best person I know

An hour later I have to all but drag myself out of her house and walk across the street to Kieran’s. The only way I can leave her is knowing that Grayson, who just arrived, will take care of her.

He always will.

Leaning against my car, I give myself a minute, taking deep breaths to try and shake off the heaviness of the morning. The past twenty-four hours have been both fulfilling and yetemotionally draining.

Lying by the fire with Kieran, hearing his soft confessions and having him pour his heart out to me like that, is a side I’ve never seen, one that I don’t think many people, if any, get to experience. The soft, wounded side makes me want to wrap my arms around him and protect him.

I’m not sure what’s happening between us, and despite my rule that we needed to call this quits if someone started developing feelings…I find that I’m not ready yet. I’m not done experiencing things with him, whether that be his heated touches or gentle words.

Who would have figured the first rule I broke would be my own, the one I should have adamantly followed. But I don’t know of any woman who could witness these different sides to Kieran andnotfall a little for the man who deserves so much more than the cards life has dealt him.

Maybe I should end this before we sleep together. When I agreed I was attracted to him, of course, but my heart wasn’t attached. But now, could I really go forward with this and not end up broken-hearted?

Could I sleep with Kieran and not fall in love?

“Hey, sunshine.”

My head lifts at his deep husky voice.

Think of the devil and he shall appear.

My smile is blooming before I can stop it. Pushing off the car, my steps are slow, measured, as I soak him up. “Hey.” I halt as I realize his arms are laden with boxes and is that…pink paint on his pants? “What are you building now?”

He flashes me a lopsided grin. “It’s a surprise.”

“A surprise? What a day for it. I just surprised Bella.”

The muscles in his arms ripple as he throws the cardboard boxes in the trash. I flit my eyes away just in time as he spins back to face me, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was pouting.

“What about me? Where’s my surprise? I thought you said I was your favorite person.”

I roll my eyes. “You know when I said that I was talking about Emmy.”

With a wink, Kieran throws an arm around my shoulder anddrags me through the front door. “Keep telling yourself that.” He stops me at the stairs, taking my purse from my shoulder and gently placing it on the entryway table. Leaning against the wall, Kieran crosses his arms over his chest, smirking. “Hey Emmy, Layla’s here!”

No sooner do the words leave his lips I hear a thud, followed by the sound of her little feet running down the hall. When she emerges at the top of the stairs, I watch her eyes light up like a Christmas tree.

Throwing my arms in the air, I squeal, “Queen Emmy!”

She giggles softly behind her hand as she tries to make her way down the stairs as fast as she can, her free hand holding the banister. I get ready, my hands outstretched, and thank God I do. When she’s three steps away she launches herself at me with no warning. I laugh as I catch her in my arms, spinning us. I soak up the warmth filling my heart as she wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me.

“Hi, sweet girl. I missed you. Have you been annoying your dad for me?”

She pulls back and that’s when I see the pink paint on her face and clothes, too. Frowning, I turn to Kieran. “Okay, now I really need to know what you two have been getting up to.”

I find an emotion clouding his gaze, one I can’t decipher, but it isn’t bad. He always looks at me softly but this is different.

Because if I didn’t know any better, I’d say Kieran Ashford is looking at us like we’re his entire world.

Pushing off the wall his smile is on full display as he reaches over and tickles Emmy. “Ready to show her the surprise, baby girl?”

Emmy nods so strongly it’s a wonder she doesn’t hurt her brain. Chuckling, I put her down as she begins to wiggle. “Lead the way, my queen.”

Her hands are a little sticky as she takes my outstretched hand, but I’ve gotten used to that as part of my job. She gently pulls me along up the stairs, and at my back, I feel warmth. Peering over my shoulder, I see heat filling Kieran’s eyes, his gaze firmly on me.