“The university hospital wouldn’t understand this kind of thing. I know, Luke. You need to continue your medical studies. That’s important.”
His smile was wry, something sad in it. “He paid off my house mortgage, you know. And my student debt. All our student debt, actually. None of the money you sent us is going towards our student loans, just into those private accounts now.”
“Who paid off your student loans? Dusk?” Layla blinked, confused. That had been her first promise to her housemates when she’d gotten her job at the Hotel, that she would pay off all their student debt.
“Not Dusk. Adrian.” Luke’s words were soft. But his green eyes burned as he held Layla’s gaze through the video-link. “He pre-paid all the rest of my grad school tuition, also. I almost called the school and the bank and told them to reject the money.”
“Don’t do that.” Layla spoke quickly, hoping Luke wouldn’t throw the opportunity away. Adrian was flagrant with his money, and even though Layla saw the manipulation in this move, it had also been extremely generous.
“I’m not going to. But Adrian can’t just buy my allegiance where you’re concerned. I hope he knows that.”
“Adrian’s not very good at relationships,” Layla sighed, feeling suddenly tired again.
“Do you love him?” Luke spoke softly.
“Yes.” Layla and Luke had never bullshitted each other, and she wasn’t about to start now.
But Luke didn’t blow up, merely nodded, then gave a deep sigh as he closed his eyes. “Fuck, this hurts.”
“I know.” Layla watched him process, feeling for him. At last, Luke opened his eyes with another deep sigh, then gave her one of the loveliest, most honest smiles Layla had ever seen from him.
“I am going to see you at Christmastime. And if Adrian fucks with you, I’ll give him a piece of my mind, money or no. Maybe even a piece of my fist.”
Layla laughed. Suddenly, the world didn’t feel quite so dark with Luke’s fighting spirit and fuck-the-world Irish attitude. She was still smiling as he grinned at her, in that way that had first made her love him so many years ago.
“I love you Layla Price.” He spoke solidly. “Even if we can’t be together, even if we suck as partners, I’m always gonna love you.”
“I know. I love you too, Luke,” she smiled, meaning it to her core. They smiled at each other a moment longer and Layla felt all their history, all the beautiful sadness of it. With a light slap on the table, Luke broke the moment.
“I gotta get going – gotta bike to class in ten minutes. But I will be keeping this computer open and at my elbow when I’m home, to catch your call any time of day or night, ok?”
“Thanks.” Layla meant it. With feeling, she set her fingers to her lips, blowing him a kiss like she’d once done when she’d been away traveling the world while they were dating. He caught it, slapping it to his cheek in a way that made her laugh and always had. They beamed at each other another moment, before he waved.
“Bye, Layloo.”
“Bye, Luke.”
Her fingers slid out as his did, and she wasn’t sure who ended the call, but it just suddenly cut out. Layla was left staring at a blank screen, the sigils along the bottom gradually dimming out as they slowed to a stop.
With a sigh, Layla closed the laptop and slid it away on the table. Gazing at her plate, half-full of food, she felt her Dragon stir within her. Her heart still hurt, but she was also hungry. Reaching out, Layla took up her fork and began to eat, chewing slowly.
CHAPTER 12 – DRAGONS
The next morning, Layla dressed fast at her walk-in closet. As Dusk zoomed around her apartment, unveiling breakfast and pouring coffee, Layla shimmied on a new riding-dress in desert duns, somewhere between a modern frock and a Victorian style, preparing for a morning hunt with the Moroccan Dragons. Since none of them had gotten a chance to meet her yet except Adam, Dusk had arranged an outing today on Layla’s last day off from Concierge Services.
An event Layla was looking forward to.
The ride had been planned early, as it was supposed to thunderstorm by noon. As Layla dressed, she glanced out the open closet doors to the high windows, watching grey clouds churn. The corseted plaid dress was wool and would be warm, a mix of modern and antique that was short at the knees with a long bustle in back. Layla was feeling tremendously better today, knowing her friends were coming to visit for Christmas. Lightheartedness moved through her despite the grey day as she zipped on fawn boots with faux-Victorian buttons. Pulling on leather kid-gloves, she pinned a hat with long pheasant feathers up on her sable curls. Gazing at herself in the mirror, Layla had to laugh.
She looked like a Harper’s Bazaar model out for an English country ride.
“Layla? Are you presentable?” Dusk called from beyond the closet doors as he arranged the table. “We need to get a move on!”
“Coming!” Layla sashayed out of the closet with a grin, making her short bustle sway. Busy this morning in his usual daytime way, Dusk glanced up from the breakfast table and eyed her with a critical Head Concierge look. He gestured for her to turn, then gave a pleased smile.
“Excellent. Food, quickly!”
He beckoned and Layla approached, loving the ease with which she could walk in the Victorian riding boots with their stout hourglass heels. Gesturing for her to sit at the table, already set with bacon and eggs, grilled tomato, and english muffins, Dusk poured coffee, mixing Layla’s with a generous amount of heavy cream just the way she liked it.
