Page 34 of The Playboy’s Playbook

I thought I memorized her beauty before, but over the course of a year, she’s changed so much.

Her hair is shorter and fans around her face in big, loose curls.

She has highlights, the blond streaks brightening her dark hair.

Her skin looks silky as ever and I want more than anything to run my hands over her body.

“You cut your hair,” I say, breathlessly. I immediately facepalm because of all the things I could say to her at our first meeting in a year, I had to say that.

Laila chuckles and smiles softly. “ You cut your hair.”

I smile back at her and continue walking closer to her. Clay and Jen have since abandoned us and are running around chasing behind Nola.

It’s just me and Laila.

“I’m sorry about the boys. Nola ran up to them and then they ran off to look for you, even though I told them not to because Nola could have just been lost and with a stranger. Luke’s been working hard at teaching them stranger danger, but then they saw you,” I ramble.

“I’m glad I was, well, me, and not a stranger. I’m sorry about the jump scare. Nola got loose before I could fully close the gate.”

“It’s great to see you, but unexpected. Wha-what are you doing home?” I ask.

“Session got out about two weeks ago. My mom had to leave for another work trip this summer, so Nola and I are back for a while.”

“Auntie Lala, can you come home with us? Uncle Matty is watching us while Daddy is away. You can bring Nola and we can play with her!” Clay says excitedly.

“Oh, Boots, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She runs her hand through Clay’s hair and he immediately deflates.

It’s been so long since we’ve heard her call him by his nickname. I tried to call him that once, but he said it wasn’t the same as Laila calling him that. It was their special thing, so I never said it again.

“But we’ve missed you,” Jen says, hugging Laila’s leg and looking up at her with sad eyes. My heart breaks looking at the way the boys are looking at Laila with sadness.

Our split didn’t just affect Laila and me, it affected the boys, too. They didn’t really understand why Laila wasn’t around anymore. I blamed myself for all the times they’d cry when I told them Laila couldn’t come see them or bring Nola by to play.

Laila sighs sadly and looks over at me. “Matthew?”

“I don’t mind if you and Nola hang out for a while. If you want to, that is,” I concede.

Laila smiles sadly at me and then turns her attention back to the boys. “Just for a little bit. Nola and I can’t stay long.”

Clay and Jen jump up and down and take off to catch Nola so we can leave. I take the opportunity to walk closer to Laila. “You can dip out. I’ll tell them something came up – they’ll understand.”

Laila shakes her head. “I’ve missed them so much and apparently Nola has, too. I’m assuming you walked here because I don’t see your truck.”

I nod. “Yeah, we walked. I can run and get my truck so I can drive the boys back and you can follow me to Luke’s house.”

“Uh, sure. I’ll watch them while you go.”

I nod my head and shout to the boys. “Stay here! I’m going to get my truck!”

The boys shout back something that sounds like “okay.” I look at Laila one more time and she smiles softly at me before walking over to where the boys have finally managed to cage Nola in to catch her.

I turn on my heels and try not to sprint out of the park.

During the trek to Luke’s house, I decide to give him a call and let him know that I’m having a guest over.

I look at his location and see that he’s at the airport, so I call him before he begins boarding his flight. He picks up on the second ring.

“Did my kids set the house on fire?”

I laugh because we’re traumatized from when Clay and Jen wanted to “experiment” with light bulbs and water. Needless to say, the boys didn’t enjoy finding out what it meant to be grounded.

“No, the boys didn’t set the house on fire.”

“Did you set my house on fire?” Luke asks, his voice quiet.

“Your house is perfectly intact, Luke. For now…” I trail off.

“What did you do?”

“I was stupid and took the kids to the park,” I say plainly.

“Okay,” he replies nonchalantly.

“What, you’re not gonna yell at me? Threaten to body slam me through the kitchen floor?” I ask, knowing full well I’m poking the bear with a very pointed stick.

“It’s just a trip to the park, Matty. If anything, that’s doing you a solid so they’ll sleep tonight.”

“Well, that’s good to know. I’m about to head back and get them so we can chill at the house with a friend they…found.”

“I’m sorry. It sounded like you said you’re on your way back to get them. As in you left my children in a park alone !” Luke whisper-shouts.

I know if he wasn’t in the airport with the fear of being placed on the no-fly list, he would definitely be shouting louder.

“They’re with Laila. Calm down,” I say, finally getting to my truck and turning the engine over.

“Laila?”

“I guess you were one of the senator’s last meetings because session ended and she’s here now.

Nola got loose and she found her way to the boys, so then the boys went running off to go find Laila and when they did, they begged her to come to the house.

She couldn’t say no because they looked like they were going to cry. I couldn’t tell them no because –”

“You know how much they’ve missed her,” Luke sighs. “Alright, that’s cool. Just be thankful that Laila is someone I trust with my kids since you left them in the park.”

“Yeah, alright, Dad. Fly safe,” I say before hanging up the phone.

I make the short drive to the neighborhood park.

I park next to Laila’s car and make my way to the dog park.

When I see Laila sitting on the bench holding Clay and Jen on her lap while Nola naps at her feet, I almost burst into tears.

She’s talking to them and the boys are smiling and nodding, soaking in every word she’s saying. When they speak, she looks at them and the smile that breaks out onto her face is full of nothing but pride and love.

Clay and Jen deserve to spend time with Laila and catch her up on the things that’s happened in their lives. They deserve to hear about what she’s been up to for the past year. They deserve to hear her laugh and witness a true smile from her. They deserve all the time in the world with Laila.

I don’t deserve a damn thing when it comes to her.