Chapter 23
LAYLA’S POV
This right here was my idea of heaven! The familiar scent of fresh coffee and warm pastries drifted toward me as I reached Rosie’s, the cory little restaurant where Addy and I had our standing Sunday brunch date. I was running late–not terribly, but enough that Addy had probably already ordered for me, knowing exactly what I’d want.
My phone buzzed just as I reached for the door, and I pulled it out, glancing at the screen as I stepped inside.
* Good morning.
Flower.”
My lips curved, I swear it was completely against my will. I shook my head, trying to school my features before anyone saw me looking all soft.
Another ping-
Did you know octopuses have three hearts? When they swim, one of them stops beating.”
1 arched a brow. The fucking hell?
And then, one more.
* Kinda like me every time you walk into a room.
Okay, that was definitely not cute in a weird nerdy kind of way. And I was definitely not smiling! I sucked in a breath, warmth blooming in my chest before [ caught myself. Nope. Not doing this today. I shook my head and typed back.
you
never
have anything better to do?”
His response was instant.
Of course I do. Just a few minutes ago, I was jerking off to thoughts of you again. I might’ve set a new world record for the number of
of times you can cum in a span of twenty four hours.
Jesus Christ. I nearly choked on air, my thumb freezing over the screen. My face heated instantly, but I kept my expression neutral. Civilized. I could be civilized. Had it been anyone else sending me that, I’d have found it seriously creepy, but of course I didn’t. Because I wasn’t right in the damn brain…
Bye. I’m busy. “I typed and tucked my phone away, biting back a smile as I made my way to our usual table in the corner. But the second I looked up, I realized something was off.
Addy was there, but so were Kander and Zig.
1 frowned, slowing as I approached, “Okay, what’s this? It’s supposed to be girl time.”
Zig, over the observant one, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his sharp blue eyes flicking to my pocket. “What’s got you so cheery?”
I scoffed. “What are you talking about?”
He raised a knowing brow. “You were smiling at your phone like a lovesick teenager.”
I rolled my eyes. “I was not.”
“Right,” Xander said, grinning as he reached for his coffee. “And I’m a nun
I flipped him off before turning back to Zig, who was still watching me too closely. “Are you not even gonna say hi?” he asked, feigning offense. “Haven’t you
missed me?”
“It’s only been three days,” I shot back, but my teasing tone softened the words as I leaned down and wrapped my
around him
Zig was solid, all muscle and warmth, the closest thing to a father I’d ever had. He looked like he could break a man in hall–tattoos covering both arms, piercings in both ears, and a clean–shaven head that only added to the intimidation factor, but beneath all that, he was the absolute sweetest.
le gave me a quick squeeze before releasing me. “Three days is a long time,” he muttered, ruffling m
Xander made a dramatic show of holding his arms out. “Wow. Nu hug for me? I see how it is.”
my hair just to annoy
1/2
Chapter 23
I smirked. “Sorry, I have a strict one hug per man over thirty policy.”
Addy snorted, sipping her mimosa, Zig just shook his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. Xander pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. “I’m fucking twenty six years old! You’re just mad coz you never got a piece of this,” he gestured to himself
“Take it up with HR,” I said breezily, sliding into my seat. Zig gave me a look. “So? You gonna tell me who had you all smiley, or am I gonna have to Interrogate you?”
1 lifted my mimosa, taking a slow sip before setting it down and meeting his gaze head–on. There were never any secrets with this bunch. And normally I was okay with that coz I never felt like I had anything to hide, but this was…. different..
You could interrogate me,” I said with a smirk. “But I wouldn’t talk.”
Addy stirred her mimosa with her strow, tilting her head as she turned to Zig. “So, how was the trip? Cassey still set on the East Coast?”
