Page 46 of Unsupervised
“What a dick,” Layton exclaims, and I see instant regret on his face. I’m glad I’m not the only one that spews things out without meaning to.
My chest shakes, and I wipe the tears of laughter out of my eyes. “He is. He absolutely is a dick. He doesn’t see my brother or my baby nephew, because Trey left first. I think he’s the most pissed because Trey has done well. Very well on his own. If he can do it, I can do it.”
Soft lips land on mine in a kiss that makes heat curl up in my stomach. When we pull back, I’m looking into those intense eyes. “You’re already doing it.”
Easy for him to say. He has no idea how horribly school is going or how much I despise every second of it, but I love that he sees me that way. That he has confidence in me.
We spend the next hour walking the path around the pond, talking about anything and everything. I learn so much more about him. About his friends and his plans to be a freelance consultant. I have no idea what they actually do, but working for yourself, having that ultimate control over your life and career sounds amazing. He sounds passionate when he talks about it, and I’m not sure why that’s such a turn on.
We find we have a lot of things in common as well. We both love dogs, have similar taste in music and love to go to concerts and music festivals. The more I learn about him, the more I want to know, and he seems just as interested in me. Our attraction to each other was just that, attraction, but it’s growing so quickly into something more. At least, it is for me.
* * *
Dinner was wonderful. Layton claims he’s not much of a cook but the grilled steaks and potatoes he made tell a different story. After dinner on the back patio, we move inside to watch a movie.
“Before I forget again, I have something for you. Two things, actually,” he says, sitting down beside me. “For your birthday.” He holds out a small, thin, white box.
My heart swells in my chest. “You got me a present?”
“Of course, open it.” His enthusiasm is almost as adorable as the anxious look on his face as he waits to see what I think of the delicate silver bracelet made of links that look like piano keys.
“It’s beautiful!” I hug him hard, and he pulls me into his lap. Taking my arm, he fastens the bracelet around my wrist. He brushes his fingers up my arm then presses a soft kiss on my lips, and I swear I’m just a big puddle of goo.
“Happy birthday, Kelly.”
“I love it,” I breathe, snuggling against him.
“This is from my grandmother. She asked me to give it to you last time I was there.” The envelope in his hand contains a card which carries a typical birthday message, but it’s the slightly crooked handwriting at the bottom that makes me grin.
Happy Birthday, Kelly. I hope you have a wonderful day. And don’t give up on my stubborn grandson. He ain’t the brightest sometimes. Might take him a minute to see what’s right in front of him.
Melina has made little comments, trying to hint that she thinks we’re together, and I just smile and brush it off. It’s good to know she’ll approve if things work out.
“What does it say?”
I close the card before he can read it. “Just happy birthday and have a wonderful day. And she got me a gift card! That’s so sweet of her, isn’t it?”
“She likes you.”
Layton turns on a movie, but I’m struggling to pay attention to it. All I can focus on is him. For a man who ran like hell the first time I kissed him, he’s very affectionate. I could stay like this forever, just cuddled up on his lap. My nerves have been so on edge with the thought of what we’ll be doing tonight. All it took was some time in his arms to calm my anxiety. I trust him.
The movie ends, and I know it’s time. My heartbeat triples as he softly kisses on my neck and murmurs, “Do you want to move to the bedroom?”
I stand up with my hand in his, intending to pull him to his feet and toward the bedroom when I see it.
No.
It’s the only word in my mind and of course it spills out of my mouth. No. Just no.
I can’t be seeing this.
This isn’t happening.
The carpet needs to rise up in a giant wave and cover me because this is too humiliating.
“Kelly?” he says, looking up at me with concern. Before he can ask what’s wrong, he notices the large red stain on his light blue jeans. It matches the one on the crotch and ass of my shorts.
I got my period.