“Homegirl, we’re into drama free relationships not solving problems,” Carolyn said with a snap of flawlessly manicured fingers.
Layla took a deep breath before nodding. “Look, I get it. I do not want to sign up for a project. It is not my job to help Elijahfigure out how to have fun in his life. Despite all of that, we are friends. I do care about Sabrina and it was sad to hear her talk about her dad that way. Even if we never get together, I do want him to be happy. Everyone at least deserves that.”
“He has to figure out what happiness is for him.”
“He’s a traditional kind of guy. I think he’s even more buttoned up because of his divorce. He doesn’t want to make Sabrina feel abandoned, so he’s extra cautious about everything. He’s trying to protect her, but she’s seeing it as her being a burden for him.”
Carolyn sighed. “It’s hard for kids to understand what parents are going through. But you told him, so now he knows. Now it’s on him to make the necessary steps.”
“True. Can you believe, he said he never liked Aaron.”
“What’s the surprise there? I told you Aaron was a bad idea when you said he got upset that you couldn’t talk to him because you had to go to a meeting. I still don’t understand why you stuck with him as long as you did.”
“I was horny and the sex was good enough to ignore his bad habits. Two things that have taken down people stronger than me for centuries.” She took the flash drive with the pre-loaded presentation for the meeting out of her pocket and stuck it in the laptop.
Carolyn laughed. “I hear you, but can I make a suggestion.”
“Sure.”
“Just like I tell employees who come to me to resolve a disagreement. Most of the time a problem is due to a miscommunication or a failure to communicate. If you are truly interested in him, then maybe you should tell him how you feel.See if he just sees you as a fifty-cent bottle of water or a six-dollar bottle of water.”
Layla shook her head and held up hand. “Hold up, I’m not a fifty cent anything.”
“Hear me out. A bottle of water changes price depending on where it’s sold. At the grocery store a bottle is on average fifty cents each because there’s tons of water there and easily accessible. But the same bottle of water is six dollars at the airport because the location increases the value. Both are convenient, but how much will you pay for convenience? So what if he thinks you’re convenient, how much does he value that convenience. Show this man that you’re worth a lot more than just a friend his daughter gets along with.”
Layla nodded slowly as she thought about what her friend said. “First you told me not to sign up for a project, but now you’re telling me to show this man I’m an airport bottle of water?”
“Years in HR have taught me when to recognize the signs when someone is considering doing something they probably shouldn’t. You’ve been interested in this man since you met him, and he’s given you a hint that he may be interested, too. As a friend, I should at least remind you thatifyou go down that road know that you’re bringing a lot to the table.”
Layla knew she was a catch. Even if her ex-husband and later her ex-boyfriend hadn’t realized the same. As soon as she recognized that she wasn’t being appreciated in a relationship she left. She refused to end up in a relationship like her mom. Unhappy, unappreciated, with unfulfilled dreams. She liked and was attracted to Elijah, but if he didn’t see her as anything other than an easy fix in his life, then she wouldn’t be with him either.
She smiled at Carolyn. “I appreciate that you see me as more than a fifty-cent bottle of water.”
Carolyn stood up from the conference table. “Girl, we’re not just any old six-dollar bottles, we’re sparkling water. Show that man your sparkle.”
Chapter 6
Layla grinned as the listened to Jasmine and Sabrina chatter in the backseat about the fun they had during pageant practice. She was forever grateful that Jasmine and Sabrina had become friends. Layla saw how hard the divorce had been on Jasmine. Layla’s ex-husband had moved in with another woman and treated her son as his own before the divorce was finalized. Jasmine had been so young when it happened that she hadn’t understood the details, but she’d been old enough to understand her dad had found a new family and didn’t come around as much anymore. She only wished that the two girls had been brought together under better circumstances. They’d both lost a parent only because the parent decided they didn’t want to be a parent anymore. That was an emotional toil no child should have to bear.
In the days after her divorce, Layla wondered if she’d made the right decision to move out of their home and into a new house far away from where they’d lived. But seeing Jasmine now, laughing and grinning with Sabrina as they shared stories and planned for how they wanted their hair done for the pageant, made her know the decision had been the right one. Jasmine now thrived in a way she wouldn’t have been able to if Layla had tried to cling to her ex-husband.
“Ms. Layla, can Jasmine come to my house today,” Sabrina asked from the backseat.
“We’ll have to check with your dad, but I don’t have a problem with that.”
Sabrina’s smile dimmed a little. “Daddy said he’s busy this week because of budget prep at work, so he may not want visitors.”
“Well, if he’s okay with you coming over then you can come to our house.”
Jasmine bounced in her seat. “We really need to practice the dance routine for the pageant. If you ask Mr. Elijah nicely maybe he’ll let me come over?”
“If tonight doesn’t work then you can go another day. We’re almost home so let’s ask Mr. Elijah when we get there, but if he’s busy then we’re not going to complain, understand?”
“Yes ma’am.” Both girls said. They were silent for a beat before they started chatting again.
When she pulled into her driveway and noticed Elijah’s car in his driveway, her hands gripped the steering wheel. She’d considered what Carolyn said all day, but wasn’t sure if she wanted to tell Elijah how she felt. What was the point of doing so if he didn’t feel the same? She wanted him to enthusiastically and passionately enter into a relationship with her. Not say it was a good, practical decision. Why should she try convincing him otherwise? Didn’t that make her look desperate? No, she’d push her feelings deep down and keep things as they were. That was the best for everyone.
They got out of the car and made their way to Elijah’s front door. He answered soon after they rang the bell, and Layla’s breath hitched. He still wore the dark grey slacks he’d had on when she’d seem him that morning after she’s sent Jasmine to pick up Sabrina, but he’d ditched the blazer, white button up shirt and tie and only had a sleeveless t-shirt tucked into the pants. The seconds their gazes connected a small part of her brain started whispering that Elijah looked as if he wouldn’thesitate to pay full price for a bottle of water at the airport. It didn’t help that he looked at her as if he was glad to see her. Not because she was there with his daughter, but because it was her. The gleam of interest mingled with a promise of seduction and a dusting of adoration. That’s the thing that made it hard to kill this crush she had on him. A woman could get used to a man looking at her like that.
