Layla shakes her head. “Whether he heard you or not, they were never going to let me keep this place.”
“You’re not mad?” I blow out a breath, taking her into my arms.
I don’t know if he heard me or not, but this was something I had to tell Layla. It’s the only logical explanation of how they found out. I still can’t believe they bombarded her like this last night.
“I’m not. Did it bring the end of my store around faster? Yes. But if it brought me you, I’ll never be upset about that.”
“I love you.” I kiss her tenderly. I love this woman so damn much, it’s hard to breathe. “I am sorry. All I want to do is support you in this and I royally fucked up.”
Layla smiles against my mouth. “You didn’t.”
Her eyes drift past me to the store.
“What’s going through your head, love?” Layla takes everything in. Fingering the clothes still hanging from racks. Breathing in the smell of the store.
The smell that is all Layla. That beautiful orange and lavender scent.
“Pinstripes & Push-Ups has been my life for as long as I can remember. After my divorce, it’s the only thing that kept me going.”
“It doesn’t have to end.”
I follow Layla as she heads back to the dressing rooms. The Pinstripes & Push-Ups sign is backlit as she drops into one of the oversized chairs.
“I can’t keep fighting this same fight with them.”
Sweeping her into my arms, I sit in the chair with Layla on my lap.
“Then don’t.”
“What else am I supposed to do?”
“Come to London with me. Start a new business there?”
Layla pulls back, her eyes wide as she studies me. “But…”
I can see the retort written on her face before she says it. “Don’t say your business is here. As sad as it is to say, it’s not. You’re meant for bigger things.”
“Can I even move to London?”
I smile, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. With the lights back here, Layla looks more beautiful than ever. Her hair is slightly out of place from dancing, and her makeup smudged, but I couldn’t be more in love with this woman.
“I happen to know a certain princess who would likely be able to help with that.”
“Is that allowed?” she laughs. “Can I bring Luna?”
“Of course we can bring Luna. I wouldn’t leave that furball behind. We’ll make it work. Hell, I know people that could help with the visa application.”
“You want me to move to London with you?”
Layla chews on her lip, awaiting my answer. I pull her legs over so she’s straddling me.
“I know your family is here, love, but you have family in London. People that love you there. Just because this place is closing doesn’t mean you have to stop creating. Everything you make is beautiful. Why not share it with more people than just this small town?”
“Layla’s of London. Kind of has a nice ring to it, no?”
“You’ll come?”
Layla’s fingers rub my jaw. “Was there ever any doubt? I want to be wherever you are.”
