It was her life, after all.
But how did I find out what she actually wanted without this potentially blowing up in my face?
It was a no-win situation that could mess with my job, not to mention Layne’s head since she was just getting out of a messy breakup. I cleared my throat. “I should get going.” She nodded and let her arms fall. She wiped the corner of her lip with her hand, and looked anywhere but at me.
“Yeah, for sure. Thanks for the lift and everything.”
I slid my feet into my boots, knowing things had shifted. “Let me know if he comes back or if you need a ride tomorrow.”
She nodded. “Thanks, Elias, you’re a good friend.”
The wordfriendhit me like a boot to the balls.
Friends.
That’s what we were.
That was how she saw me.
That was why I was doing this.
I turned and walked out the door, closing it behind me with a decisive click. The snow was still falling. It had a way of making the world silent even as my thoughts refused to shut up. I drove home on autopilot, watching for any sign of Teddy’s car in casehe was hanging around.
* * *
I woke up the next morning and checked my phone. There were no messages from Layne. That was a relief…sort of. I was glad I hadn’t missed a message from her about Teddy, but I was hoping to hear from her anyway.
Especially after that kiss.
Friend or not, that was the hottest kiss I’d ever had. I was surprised I’d gotten to sleep with how keyed up I was from her touch. Unfortunately, rather than waking up to a beautiful woman in my bed, I had to get some work done.
It was Saturday, so technically Wild Timber Homes was closed. Realistically, we all worked whatever hours we needed to. If there was work to do, then we went in, and the Beast project was far from done. In fact, we were behind.
My phone vibrated on the nightstand, and I grabbed it fast enough that I almost dropped it on the floor.
Layne: Are you going in today?
I replied right away.
Elias: Definitely. You?
Her reply popped up quickly.
Layne: Could you give me a lift, car is snowed in.
Elias: be there in twenty
I scrubbed a hand over my face and pushed out of bed.
I really should get some distance from this woman. Then again, I couldn’t just say no to someone who needed help. I set my phone aside and hit the remote start so my truck would be warm for her when I got to her place.
Yeah, I was that guy.
Whether she was in my life as a friend, a co-worker, or more, I still wanted to do things for her.
I got dressed, made a coffee, and got in the truck, pulling into her driveway a short time later. Layne was already on the porch, a pink toque pulled low over her ears. She had a to-go mug held tightly in her grip. “Nice and warm in here,” she said as she slid into the passenger seat. My chest warmed that I’d taken the extra step for her.
“Any issues after I left last night?”
