“Ta-da!” Jace beamed at Addie. “What do you think? You can hang up your calendar here, but it’s okay if you would rather—”
The calendar fell to the ground, magnets scattering on the floor. Addie turned to Layla wild-eyed. “Do I hafta live in two places like Skyler? Am I moving?”
“Oh!” Jace knelt down to be on eye level with his daughter, his expression so chagrined that Layla’s heart hurt for him. “No. You’re not moving. I didn’t mean to worry you. I just thought...you might like to visit sometime.”
“Like a sleepover?” Addie asked stiffly. She’d previously refused sleepover invitations from both Meredith and Skyler. It was clear from her frozen posture that she wouldn’t relish one here, either. “Without Mommy?”
“Uh...” He sent Layla a pleading look. “Your mom is welcome to stay, too. You don’t even have to sleep here. You could just play in this room. We could read stories together. Or...”
“I like this room!” Layla declared brightly. She wrapped her arms around the teddy bear and flopped down on the bed. “Man, this mattress is comfortable.”
Addie met her gaze. “It is?”
“Absolutely.” Layla patted the mattress next to her. “Want to come see?”
She took a hesitant step forward.
“Want an airplane ride?” Jace asked, holding his arms out. “You can go flying onto the bed.”
Finally, Addie smiled. “Like the cow?” She reached for Jace, and he scooped her up, zooming her around the room in a circle before landing her next to Layla.
He stretched out on the other side of Addie, grinning with relief. Layla smiled back. I finally got him in a bed. Of course, this wasn’t how she’d planned it, but single parents were nothing if not adaptable.
* * *
“I am so, so sorry about that,” Jace whispered, barely audible over the popcorn in the microwave. Addie had gone to get the rainy-day bear to watch Twister with them. “The very last thing I wanted to do was upset her.”
Layla rubbed his shoulder. “I know that.”
“I just wanted to give her a space in my house that was hers alone. I had no idea it would scare her.”
“Jace. I know.” On the one hand, it would’ve been great if he’d given Layla a heads-up about what he’d planned. Traditionally, Addie did not do well with surprises. Still, Layla could appreciate his impulse to do something special for his daughter after all of the birthdays and Christmases that he’d missed. “She’s okay now that we’ve reassured her she’s not getting relocated. And none of the calendar pieces broke. So no harm, no foul. It really is a lovely room. How long have you been working on that?”
“Since last night,” he said, looking boyishly pleased with himself.
She thought of the ceiling fan that had been installed and the wall stencil, the carefully chosen comforter set and perfect teddy bear. “You did that all in less than a day?”
“It helps to have a big family. And a mom who’s friends with the owner of the local toy store.”
She shook her head at him. “You really are something else, Jace Trent.”
He stepped closer, his hand sliding over the curve of her hip. “Would this be a smart time for me to ask a favor?”
“Definitely.”
“Before you leave town, what are the odds I could invite you for a sleepover, beautiful?”
She shivered in anticipation. “Play your cards right, and not only will I sleep over sometime soon, I’ll leave my pajamas at home.”
Chapter 14
“All done.” Layla sat back in the chair, sighing at her laptop.
Gena leaned against the kitchen counter. “Don’t people usually sound happier about successfully completing projects? If you didn’t have plans with the Trents tonight, I’d say we should go do something to celebrate.”
The calendar files were on their way to Mona, and soon she and Chris’s friends would be able to tell him about their attempt to raise a little cash for him and Suzanne. She was looking forward to it, could already imagine the amused smirk on Chris’s face when he saw the half-dressed photos of his closest buddies. And then it will be time to go.
Past time, really. Earlier today, when Skyler had asked if Addie wanted to come over, Addie had turned the offer down, then complained that she missed Meredith. And her class. And her bed at home. Layla understood. Gena’s hospitality was second to none—her cousin had been an amazing source of support—but eventually you got antsy staying under someone else’s roof.
Really, the only downside of leaving Cupid’s Bow was leaving Jace behind, but they had plans for their grown-up sleepover tomorrow, so it would be a good opportunity for them to have an uninterrupted discussion about the future. She would feel better once they’d reaffirmed their commitment to making this work. All that was needed was a little give and take from both parties. Cheer up—you have a career you love and a daughter who is your world, plus the only man you’ve ever loved might just love you back. She should feel victorious.
She rubbed her forehead with the heel of her hand. “Maybe I’m just tired. Or nervous about facing Jace’s parents tonight.” She’d always gotten along well with the Trents...but that was before she seduced their son, secretly had his baby and lied to everyone about it. “You don’t think they hold a grudge, do you?”
“You gave them a beautiful grandbaby, and they’re going to adore her—and, by extension, you. Plus, Jace is nuts about you. He wouldn’t let you walk unknowingly into a bad situation.” Gena chuckled. “I still can’t believe he took on your mom, who called by the way.”
“What?”
“She called the house phone while you were in the shower. I think she doubted you’d answer your cell if you saw it was her. I was waiting until you finished with the calendar to give you the message because I know talking to her can be a little—”
“Maddening? Crazy-making? Counterproductive?”
“Distracting. If you want to call her back, I can go make sure that Addie is getting ready.”
Layla’s daughter had been quietly sculpting clay animals, which was a good way to spend an hour or two. But Layla would prefer that Addie didn’t meet her grandparents for the first time with orange-and-blue clay tangled in her curls. “Better yet, I’ll check on Addie, and you call my mom. Just pretend to be me. She and I don’t talk much, so she probably wouldn’t recognize my voice anyway.”
Flashing her a sympathetic grin, Gena left the kitchen, calling over her shoulder, “Wine’s in the fridge if you need it.”
Ha! Like Layla would risk showing up tipsy for dinner with the Trents? Besides, not even wine could dull the pain of talking to Claire. That might require hospital-grade sedation.
As Layla scrolled through her contacts list, she realized she hadn’t asked Gena what Claire was calling about. Oh, probably just the usual—disapproval, disgust and diatribes. She gritted her teeth as the phone rang. Maybe she’d catch a break, and the call would go to voice mail.
“Layla Anne?”
“Hi, Mom.”
“I wasn’t sure Gena gave you my message. I called quite some time ago.” Translation: What took you so long?
“Well, it’s been a busy day. I was finishing up that project I told you about for Chris, and Jace will be picking up me and Addie soon. She’s meeting her other grandparents tonight.”
There was a tense silence. “I’m sure they’ll be better grandparents than I am.”
Layla wasn’t sure how to interpret that. Not too long ago, Claire had surprised her by praising Layla’s mothering skills—only to turn around minutes later and lambaste her for being an ingrate who refused to drop everything and move back to Cupid’s Bow when summoned. This could be a trap. “I don’t know what kind of grandparents they’ll be,” she said neutrally.
“They raised good men,” Claire said. “I’m glad Addie is the daughter of Jace Tr
ent and not some drunken stranger you met at a high school party. And I...understand now why you left town the way you did. I’d like to put all of that behind us.”
“So would I, Mom. But honestly? I’m not sure we can until you put all of the stuff with Dad behind you. I don’t expect you to be friends with him—”
Claire made a guttural, snarling sound.
“But if you want to be part of my life or Addie’s life, you have to learn how to be in a room with him for ten minutes without screaming at anyone. It’s not my fault or Chris’s fault that the two of you got divorced, but we’re both paying for it. And so are our kids. They should be able to know all of their grandparents, not be born into having to choose sides.” Hearing the words come out of her own mouth, Layla was a little impressed. She’d never had the courage to say all of that to Claire before. This trip to Cupid’s Bow had made her stronger.
“I’ll work on it,” Claire said, “but it will take time.”
Layla bit back the reminder that time had already passed—years and years, in fact. She’d made the point she wanted to make and didn’t have time for bickering. So she simply told her mom she’d see her at Chris’s for dinner in a few days. The timing should work out that Layla would have the first box of calendars by then.
By the time Layla got off the phone, there were only about ten minutes left before Jace arrived. She was already wearing the sweater and long brown leather skirt she’d picked out for dinner; it was an attractive but appropriately modest outfit. She took a moment to touch up her makeup and pull her hair into a bouncy ponytail, then went to check on Addie.
Her daughter was presentable and clay-free, missing only her shoes.
“Can I bring my bear with me?” Addie asked as Layla searched under the bed for Addie’s left sneaker.
“Absolutely. It’s a good way to let Jace know you like his present.” Layla stood up, trying to decide on the next logical place to look since she hadn’t located the shoe yet.
“Will there be more presents?”
Now that Layla thought about it, Jace had given his daughter something practically every time he saw her. Layla needed to gently discourage that before he unintentionally spoiled Addie rotten. “No, honey. I don’t think so.” Except for one small gift that Layla had cobbled together for Jace. “Where was the last place you remember having your shoe?”
“On my foot.”
The doorbell rang, and Layla glanced down to make sure she didn’t have carpet lint on her skirt. “Okay, you keep looking, and I’ll be right back.” Her pulse did the flutter of anticipation that had become usual when she saw Jace; she was beginning to think of it as his own personal drumroll.
But Gena had beaten Layla to the door. Layla heard their voices in the kitchen and her cousin telling Jace, “She’ll be right here. Help yourself to a glass of water or sweet tea while you wait.” Then she turned the corner, passing Layla in the hallway.
Gena fanned herself and silently mouthed the word, “Wow.”
When Layla got to the kitchen, she saw what her cousin had meant. Wow, indeed. Layla’s shirtless cowboy had been temporarily replaced by a GQ model. It was difficult to say which look was hotter. Jace was wearing dark slacks that looked tailor-made for his body and a deep blue dress shirt that made his eyes even more mesmerizing. It was sweet that he’d replaced his typical T-shirt and jeans for the evening; obviously, he considered introducing Addie to his parents a special occasion.
“Am I underdressed?” she asked. “I mean, you look amazing.”
“Thank you.” He wrapped a finger in one of the loose tendrils that framed her face and tugged lightly. “So do you. Where’s Addie?”
“Hunting for her missing shoe.”
He took full advantage of the delay, backing her against the wall until his body was pressed into hers. She was grateful for the wall’s support in keeping her upright, because when Jace kissed her, her knees went weak. His hands slid just under the hem of her sweater, grazing her skin as he teased her sensitive lower lip and explored her mouth with his. Shivers ran along her body when he moved to her earlobe.
“I like your hair up like this,” he said. “Easy access.”
She tried not to moan at the decadent sensations he was stirring. “I like what you’re doing.” She knew they’d smeared her lip gloss, knew they were running the risk of getting caught, but she couldn’t bring herself to care, not when light and heat and need were pulsing through her in time with Jace’s heartbeat.
“I can’t wait until tomorrow night,” he told her. “I’m going to kiss you for hours. Everywhere.”
She did moan then. Tomorrow night seemed so far away. “W-we should stop. Addie will be back any second. Besides, I wanted to give you something.”
He bit her bottom lip. “Promises, promises.”
“I made you something.” Sort of. “Wait here.”
He stepped back, allowing her to move, but didn’t let go of her hand until the last minute. “Did you find your shoe yet?” she called to Addie. When her daughter answered in the affirmative, Layla added, “Need any help tying them?”
Addie insisted she wanted to do it by herself, and Layla ducked into her room to grab the gift bag off her bed. She hadn’t thought about wrapping it until after it was finished this afternoon, so she’d asked Gena if she had anything handy...which was why Jace’s present was in a large yellow bag with three-dimensional embellishments of blue lace butterflies.
He raised an eyebrow when she handed it to him. “Nice. Very manly.”
“I figured real men aren’t afraid of their sensitive side,” she teased.
Grinning, he reached down into the tissue paper and pulled out the bronze collage frame. Layla had picked out something attractive but simple enough to fit with his rustic decor. His breath hitched, his blue eyes bright with emotion. The man definitely had a sensitive side. “Layla. God, this is so... I don’t know what to say.” He ran his hand over the edge of the frame reverently.
From where she stood, she couldn’t see the photos he was looking at, but of course she knew them by heart.
There were five. In the center was a picture of Addie on her first birthday. Surrounding it were assorted photos of the three of them. An old picture of Jace and Layla, both laughing, as he pushed her in the tire swing when she’d been in sixth grade. Addie’s school picture from this year, her adorable grin showing that she’d lost her first baby tooth. There was a selfie Layla had taken the other day on Jarrett’s ranch just because the lighting had been so pretty. But her favorite was a picture she’d surreptitiously snapped of Addie and Jace snuggled together on the couch watching a movie. Neither of them was looking at the television screen; instead, Jace had made a comment that caused Addie to giggle and Layla had captured the moment when father and daughter grinned at each other, their smiles so alike it had almost brought tears to her eyes.
“I’m ready!” Addie announced, walking into the kitchen with her sneakers tied. And on the wrong feet. She paused, studying their expressions. “Mama, is Jace sad?”
He swallowed hard, shaking his head. “Just the opposite,” he assured her. “Your mom just gave me the best present I ever got in my life. Well, second best. The first best was you.”
Addie’s forehead crinkled in confusion. “I’m not a present.”
“How do you feel when you get a present?” Jace asked her.
“Happy. And excited.”
“Well, that’s how I feel about you. And, look, here’s a picture of you with a bow in your hair.” He pointed to her kindergarten portrait. “Bows go on presents, right? Do you think you’d fit in this bag?” He carried the yellow bag over to her and slid it on one arm, making her laugh.
But then she frowned again. “Mama, I thought you said no presents tonight.”
“None for us,” Layla corrected. “It was Jace’s turn.”
At
that, Jace gave her such a mischievous look that she almost clapped her hand to her forehead. Clearly, the man had another surprise up his sleeve—or his parents did. She wouldn’t be surprised if the Trents wanted to shower their new granddaughter with gifts. Layla wasn’t sure how to discourage them without seeming ungracious. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to let Addie accept a couple of gifts that she could take home with her as reminders of her new family.
“We ready to go?” Jace asked.
“Just a sec,” Layla told him. “Great job tying your laces, baby, but how about we get these shoes on the right feet?”
While Addie switched the shoes, Jace passed Layla his phone. “I just got this text. How would you like me to answer it?”
Layla glanced down and saw that it was from his sister-in-law Kate. She had twins who were just a little bit older than Addie and wanted to know whether she should bring them, to give Addie kids to talk to, or leave them home with their teenage brother, so as not to overwhelm Addie with too many new people in one night. Layla was touched by the thoughtfulness. The Trents really were special people. In time, she wanted her daughter to meet all of them, but it was best to go slowly. Considering that mention of Skyler earlier today had just made Addie homesick for her friends and classmates, maybe it was better not to bring the twins tonight. She texted Kate back a quick reply, then helped Addie into her coat.
The three of them set off for their family outing, and she was in such a good mood she felt like laughing for no reason at all other than sheer happiness.
“Something funny?” Jace asked.
“Not exactly. I was feeling a little blue earlier, but you seem to have cured that.”
“Dr. Jace Trent. My parents will be so proud.” He winked at her. “Prepare to have fun. I promise you a night to remember.”
* * *
Layla leaned back in her chair, too stuffed to ever move again. So much for going home. Someone would just have to bring her camera to her; she’d open up a new photo studio in Gayle Trent’s dining room. Jace hadn’t been exaggerating when he’d promised his mom was a fantastic cook.
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