“Whatever. I’ve already rifled through it, and I’m keeping the chocolate-covered cherries.”
Jay texted Aaron on his way to the car.
JAY: Did you get a gift basket? My sister just called demanding answers and annexing the chocolate cherries.
AARON: Shame, the cherries were good. I would share mine, but they’re loooong gone. You should definitely rush over there before she finds the chocolate marshmallows.
JAY: I will report back.
He didn’t bother stopping for a shower or a change of clothes, heading straight to Layla’s house. She wrinkled her face in disgust as she let him in.
“You’re all sweaty.”
“I was at the gym while you were blowing up my phone. Now I would like my goodies, please.” Jay scanned the living room, the pristine surfaces dashing his hopes for a quick escape.
“Not before you tell me what happened. Don’t move.” She held up one finger and left the room, coming back with a beach towel. After spreading it on the couch, she forced Jay to sit next to her and gestured for him to start talking. With a sigh, herecounted yesterday’s events. She paid close attention, nodding along and popping chocolate into her mouth at regular intervals. When he finished speaking, she arched one eyebrow and pursed her lips.
“So this guy, Aaron, he just ran in and grabbed you?”
“Yeah. He has quick instincts, I guess.”
“Mm-hmm,” she hummed. “And how do you know him?”
Jay wavered. He wasn’t ashamed of his lifestyle, but he also wasn’t about to tell his sister he’d joined a BDSM club. “We met at a bar.”
“Mmmm-hmmmmm.” She drew the sound out, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.
“Stop that, you’re being annoying. Can I please have my stuff so I can go?”
“Are you dating?” Layla asked, acting as if Jay hadn’t said a word.
“No, we’re just friends,” Jay huffed out, folding his arms across his chest.
“Right… Okay, I get it.” Layla nodded in understanding, and Jay would have been relieved if not for the knowing smile that warned him the interrogation was far from over. “I totally get it. You met this random dude at a bar, wentfurnitureshopping with him, then he heroically saved you from a rabid bookshelf, but you’re just friends.”
When Jay opened his mouth to argue, she leveled him with a look. “Can I remind you that when you first moved out, you refused to go shopping for adult furniture, even though Mom and Dad offered to pay for it?”
“I’ve matured?” Jay shrugged. “I don’t know what you want me to say. He’s a great guy who just moved to the city, we work on the same block, and we’ve hung out a few times. That’s it. Pretty sure he’s not interested in me anyway.”
Layla’s features softened, and she patted Jay’s hand. “My sweet little brother. How long has it been since you dated someone? Did something happen?”
“I hate when you go all big sister on me.” Jay swatted her away half-heartedly. “Nothing bad happened. Relationships just don’t work out for me. I date people for a few weeks, and then it always crumbles apart. So, what’s the point of even trying? Maybe I’m not meant to find someone who fits me.”
“You are. You absolutely are. I know that there’s a lot to your life I don’t know, but what I do know is that you’re a sweet, lovely person. Everything else is…important, but secondary.”
“There are plenty of sweet, lovely people in the world that never get lucky and find love.”
“Yes, there are.” Layla stared at Jay with unusual intensity. “Which iswhyyou’re going to make sure you’re not one of those people. Make an effort, take a chance, and ask that guy out.”
Layla wasn’t wrong—if he wanted a partner and a family, he had to dosomething. He couldn’t watch from the sidelines forever.
But he could put it off for another few weeks.
“Do I have to do it right this second?”
“No, but you should do it soon. Strike while it’s hot and all that.”
With a sigh of agreement, Jay heaved himself up from the couch. “Well, you’ve done a fantastic job distracting me with your pep talk, but I still want my treats. Or what’s left of them.”
