“Okay. Does everyone have a drink so I can announce the winners?” Logan announces.
“How do you think we did?” Layla’s attention is solely on me.
This is something I like about her. When she’s with you, her focus is on you. It’s not straying to her phone or anyone around you.
“I don’t think we came in dead last.”
“Nice vote of confidence you have in us, Simon.”
“In third place, we have Sean and Ellie.”
“Yes!” Ellie leaps into Sean’s awaiting arms. “We win free babysitting!”
“You didn’t win yet!” Pierce is irate as he stands up. “Who came in second?”
“Gemma and Blake.” Logan clears his throat. “And the dark horse winners of tonight are Layla and Simon.”
“Hell yes!” Layla wraps her arms around my neck in excitement, kicking her legs up. “I can’t believe we won!”
“Bloody brilliant!” I squeeze her close to me. “You were amazing.”
“Me? You were.” Layla’s eyes are sparkling as she pulls back.
It would be so easy to kiss her right now. I’m so caught up in her spell, I don’t notice anyone else around us.
“Pretty damn good of both of us.”
“Congratulations, guys.” Gemma interrupts the moment, passing over the winning bottle of vodka.
“Cheers.” I take it from her. “Good game.”
“Worthy competition.” Gemma gives me a quick side hug. “I’m glad you could make it, Simon.”
“Thanks, sis.” Layla gives her a quick peck on the cheek before she goes back to Blake.
“You feeling better now?” My voice is low, so only Layla can hear me.
“Maybe you did grow up to be James Bond. Pulling this off all sly and everything.”
“Layla, I’ve got moves you’ve never seen.”
And I plan on using every single one of them on this woman.
ChapterTwelve
LAYLA
“Erica. Where’s the new shipment of accessories that came in?”
“It hasn’t come yet.”
“Seriously?”
Just what I need. Something else not going to plan today. With trying to do everything I can to save my store, it feels like I’ve been running around with even less free time than normal.
The shop has been packed today. Thankfully I have great help, but I step in when needed. Instead of spending the day working on Gemma’s dress like I wanted to, I know I’ll be working on it all night. That is if I can get out of whatever wedding events are tonight.
A bonfire and movie night, I think?
