“I know that,” I said. “I just mean she’s got enough drama coming from one guy. She doesn’t need anything from me besides support.”
He nodded. “You know I’m protective of my sister, but you also know I pretended not to have feelings for Sloane from the time we were teenagers until just a few months ago.”
I hadn’t really thought about the similarities between Jace’s experience with love and what was going on in my head about Layne.
“I wasted a lot of time because I made assumptions. I thought Layne wouldn’t approve of me dating her friend. I thought Sloane wouldn’t be interested in a guy like me. Turns out I was wrong on both fronts, and I’m happy to have been wrong.” He leaned back in his seat, staring off. “Sloane makes me happy in a way I never thought I could be, in a way I never thought I wanted. I wouldn’t say this to just anyone, but I know you, and I trust you. If you think there can be something between the two of you, you need to let her know. Layne’s a big girl. If she’s not interested, she’ll say so, and you guys will move on. But if she is, you might just find more than you think you deserve, or more than you thought you were looking for too.”
I left the office with a new sense of determination in my chest. I pulled out my phone and texted Layne.
Elias: I heard you have a meeting with Teddy tomorrow.
She messaged me back right away.
Layne: Assuming he shows, I do.
I took a deep breath, not knowing exactly what to say. Shit,maybe I should have just called her.
Elias: Can I come over tonight? Just in case he shows up again.
Three dots appeared on the screen, and I held my breath until the message appeared. It was one word.
Layne: Sure.
I wasn’t one for grand gestures, for expensive gifts and roses and chocolates, but I was sure Layne knew that about me. All I could do was be me and see if that was enough. I’d go there tonight to make sure Teddy didn’t show up, but I wouldn’t show up just to be there. I’d show her how I felt, how things could be between us if she wanted to take the risk with me.
I went home and showered, roughly forming a plan in my head as I cleaned my skin. I hadn’t even done any work when I’d gone to the office, but even just wearing my work jacket meant I probably smelled a little like gas or oil.
Dressing in what I would consider my nicer clothes: jeans without rips or stains and a shirt that actually had buttons. I touched up my closely buzzed hair and beard. Once I was ready, I stepped out into the cold and drove to the supermarket to grab a few things.
Once I had everything I needed, I drove the now familiar route to Layne’s cabin.
I could make her dinner, and then we could talk.
By the end of the night, one way or another, I would know where we stood.
Chapter Fourteen
Layne
“I’m freaking out,” I yelled into the phone as soon as Sloane answered.
“Uh, okay, context please.”
“It’s Elias,” I ran a hand through my hair and sank down onto my bed.
“What did that fucker—”
“No, no, not like that. It’s good. At least, I think it’s good.” I explained what had happened since I’d seen her on Friday night, well, a PG version of it, anyway.
I’d wanted to ask him to stay that night, but I’d been a little overwhelmed to feel so much for him so soon after things ended with Teddy. Elias was just so easy to be around. So easy to trust. The antithesis of all the things that had driven me to cancel my wedding.
And maybe I’d been embarrassed too. I’d begged my co-worker to let me ride him, to tease my nipples, and then I camewhile writhing on his cock.
I refocused on my conversation with Sloane.
“Now, a day later, he asked to come over, and I said yes, but all my feelings are bubbling to the surface. He will probably spend the night, and I only have one bed, and I don’t know what to do…”
“Yes, you do.” Her voice was slow and patient.
