You Belong With Me (9 page)

              Layla laughed through her tears and pulled her sisters over to the counter so she could sit down. After all the crying she’d done, she felt empty and exhausted. Purged.

              “I’m okay. I was just having a conversation with Max and she brought up a case that still hurts me from last year. Our grandmother had shown her a newspaper clipping of me that she’d kept I guess. She told me that I was bleeding inside and that if I didn’t let someone in that I would die. She left and I kind of fell apart. Michael walked in and saw me sobbing my heart out and there you have it. I’ve never been so embarrassed in my entire life,” she admitted, looking away.

              Kit leaned her head on her hand as she stared at her sister, her eyes filled with sympathy. “Oh Layla, I’m so freaking sorry. Michael looked kind of torn up when we walked in. I thought it was something he’d done at first,” she said, grabbing her sister’s hand.

              Layla shook her head and smiled in gratitude as Jane handed her some tissues. Layla took a moment to blow her nose loudly before continuing. “No, Michael was actually . . . pretty sweet about the whole thing. He put his arms around me and kind of, um,
held me
while I cried my eyes out.”

              Jane and Kit stared at each other wide eyed and then stared at their sister. “Holy crap,” Jane breathed out. “I cannot believe this.”

              Layla pushed her hair out of her face and looked at Jane in surprise. “
What?
That I cried my eyes out or that Michael was so nice about it?”

              Kit looked at Jane and nodded. “No, we’re surprised that our tougher than nails,
I don’t need anyone especially some rotten man
, sister allowed a man to comfort her.
Wow,”
Kit said, shaking her head.

              Jane nodded. “I would have never believed it.”

              Layla frowned and stood up, walking over to the fridge to grab a water bottle. She felt a little weak and dehydrated after all her crying. “Look guys, you might think I’m tough and mean and all that, but it turns out I’m pretty human. I hurt, I cry and sometimes, it feels good to have someone hold you while you hurt and cry,” she said, surprising herself to realize that it was true.

              Kit and Jane looked at each other wide eyed. Layla sighed in irritation. “Look, I have one of those weird crying headaches. I think I’m going to go lay down for a little while. Do you guys mind making Stella something special?”

              Jane and Kit agreed quickly and Layla walked upstairs tiredly. She kissed Bubba on the head and then lay down on her beautiful bed, closing her eyes and then immediately falling into a deep and dreamless sleep.

Chapter 8 - Michael

              Michael brought Stella to the bakery later that afternoon and had to admit that he very much wanted to see Layla again. Earlier that day when she’d allowed him to hold her and comfort her was one of the most emotionally intimate experiences he’d ever had. He hoped she wouldn’t look at him with cold suspicious eyes anymore. Maybe now they could move forward. He smiled at himself and admitted that what he really wanted was to ask her to dinner. He couldn’t wait to kiss her again. He wanted to know what it would be like to kiss her when she was happy.

              Stella jumped up and down as they came into view of the bakery. “Look Daddy! We’re here,” she sang out, skipping beside him.

              Michael grinned down at his daughter and enjoyed the sight of her in her little jean skirt and bright striped leggings. Combined with her bright yellow t-shirt no one could miss her. “Now remember your manners Stella. Please and thank you,” he said automatically as they opened the door and walked into the bakery.

              They both stopped and breathed in the special scent of the bakery before walking into the kitchen. Michael and Stella grinned at each other. Nowhere on earth smelled as good as Belinda’s bakery.

              “Come on Daddy!” Stella urged, letting go of his hand and running back to the kitchen.

              Michael followed more slowly, feeling a sudden shyness he hadn’t felt before. He’d always been confident when it came to women. The past few years had taught him to be cautious where women were concerned, but this shyness he was feeling now was completely alien to his nature. He was just so completely intrigued by Lalya Kendall that he didn’t want to mess this up.

              He walked through the doorway and into the kitchen, smiling as he saw Layla kneeling down and giving Stella a warm hug. He felt his heart flip over and knew for sure he was in trouble. Layla glanced up right then and looked at him. Instead of that shuttered cold look she always gave him, she smiled at him hesitantly as if she’d forgotten how. Her eyes were warm though and pleased. Michael felt himself smile back at her and they just stood there for a moment looking at each other.

              Stella looked back at him to see what Layla was looking at. “Daddy! Come see what they made for me. It’s the best treat ever!” she said, breaking the spell.

              Layla looked away and Michael stepped forward, realizing belatedly that Kit and Jane were in the kitchen too and looking at him with knowing grins on their faces. Michael cleared his throat and smiled at the sisters. “Thanks again for letting us stop by,” he said, walking over to the counter to see what Stella was so excited about.

              Jane stepped forward and pointed to a large cupcake in front of Stella. “We’ve been busy since you stopped by earlier. I wanted to try my hand at cupcakes and you two will be my taste testers. Red velvet with a cream cheese center. Try one,” she said, putting one in his hand.

              Michael looked down at the beautiful creation in his hand and smiled. “I really don’t have much of a sweet tooth, so I’m not the best guinea pig.”

              Kit stepped forward and stared at him like he was crazy. “What sane person turns down a cupcake? Michael, honestly, we insist that you try it,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest and staring him down.

              Michael glanced at Jane who was looking at him sternly and then looked at Layla who was looking at him with an amused smile. He grinned back at her and pulled the paper down on the side. “Well, if you insist. I guess trying new things is good for the soul,” he said softly looking into Layla’s eyes.

              Layla nodded her head, not saying anything as everyone watched him take a bite. He closed his eyes better to concentrate on the flavors and chewed slowly. The moist flavorful cake combined with the rich sweet cream had his eyes popping open in surprise. “Oh
wow
. That’s good,” he said in surprise.

              Jane jumped and down and pumped her fist in the air as she laughed delightedly. “I did it! I did it!”

              Kit laughed and patted Michael on the back. “Well, if we can get someone who doesn’t even like sweets to like our cupcakes then we’re doing okay,” she said and walked over to the counter where twelve more cupcakes sat ready to be frosted. Jane walked over and started helping her.

              “Did you just say that, or do you really like it?” Layla asked, coming to stand next to him as she pulled the paper down for Stella so she could eat her cupcake easier.

              Michael grinned and took another bite. “
Mmm
, I promise I’m telling the absolute truth. It’s the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten,” he said, smiling at the way Layla pulled Stella’s hair back so naturally.

              Michael started to say something else but his phone vibrated in his pocket. He reached for it automatically and walked over to the other counter to set his cupcake down and answer the phone. A few minutes later, he frowned and hung up.

              “Stella, looks like we have to run baby. I’m needed at the office,” he said, wincing at the crestfallen look on his daughter’s face.

              “But I just took one bite,” she said pointing to her cupcake.

              All three women looked at him and frowned as if he’d planned the phone call. “We can bring it with us Stella. I’ll take you to Grandma’s and pick you up when I’m done. Okay?” he said, picking up his own cupcake to take with him.

              Layla stepped forward and put her hand on his arm, making him stop and stare at her. “Let her stay Michael,” she said so softly no one else could hear. “She can keep us company in the kitchen and you can just come back for her when you’re done.”

              Michael looked down into her serious pleading eyes and knew that there was probably nothing he would deny her. “Are you sure you don’t mind?” he asked reaching up to touch her cheek, but stopped himself and shoved his hand in his pocket instead.

              Layla noticed the wash of color on his cheeks and looked down at her feet awkwardly. “You’d be doing me a favor. It would be fun for us,” she said, looking up at him again.

              Michael smiled and nodded. “It would make her day. I don’t know how long I’ll be. Let me give you my cell number if you need me to come get her,” he said.

              Layla shook her head. “I have your card still. We’re good. You better get going,” she said, stepping back.

              Michael grinned down into her face and touched her arm lightly before walking over to his daughter who was now pouting up a storm. “Sweet heart, how would you like to stay here with Layla and her sisters instead of going to grandma’s?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

              Stella squealed and clapped her hands, looking over his shoulder at Layla with bright happy eyes. “Yes, yes yes!” she said over and over.

              Michael kissed the top of his daughter’s head and smiled at Jane and Kit. He turned and looked one more time at Layla before leaving the kitchen. He had to see her face one last time before going. She stood looking at him with such a sweet and grateful smile that it was hard to leave.

              As he walked the block and a half to his office he found that he couldn’t stop smiling. It had been over three years since Ashley had walked out on them. The divorce had been final for a year, but he hadn’t done very much socializing. He’d dated here and there, but only because his friends and family insisted. It had taken him a long time to get over Ashley
. Too long
. But seeing Layla just now made him realize that he was ready. Ready to move on and let go.

              He opened the door to his office and walked in with a smile on his face. When he saw Alex Foster standing next to his secretary and her strained and stiff expression his smile faded instantly. He hated working with Alex. The man was egotistical, greedy and completely uncaring about other people.

              “Alex. What was so important it couldn’t wait even fifteen minutes?” Michael asked, looking at Alex with narrowed eyes.

              Alex walked over and held out a file. Michael took it automatically and opened it up, glancing through the papers. “These are the same plans you showed me for the property that the bakery sits on. They turned you down Alex. There’s nothing we can do. They’re financially stable, they have good credit and they’re determined to keep the bakery going. You’re just wasting your time,” he said bluntly, handing the file back to Alex.

              Alex smiled and shook his head. “I want to make a new offer. I’ll offer the sisters a percentage of the profits on the strip mall if they sell to me. We’ll be business partners,” he said, smiling in a wolfish way.

              “Alex, I don’t want you to get your hopes up. Honestly I think you’re wasting your time. Let’s focus on the property over on Jackson Avenue instead. There’s more traffic over there and I think it’s a better option all around,” he said walking over to Denise and picking up his messages.

              Alex shook his head. “I’m determined Michael. And now that I’ve met the Kendall sisters, I’m even more interested in doing business with them. Have you met Jane? She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

              Michael looked up at Alex in surprise and stared. “She’s in her
early twenties
Alex,” he said in a hard voice. Alex was in his forties and although relationships between young women and older men were nothing new, it caught Michael off guard.

              Alex shrugged and smiled in a way that had Michael gritting his teeth. “That won’t be a problem Michael. It never is. Make the offer and let me know what they say,” he said and breezed out the door, confident that his plan would work.

              Michael frowned and looked at the papers in his hands.

              “I hate that guy,” Denise said fervently.

              Michael looked at his secretary in surprise. “Has he done something Denise? Has he said anything offensive?” he asked, looking at the front door with a scowl. If Alex crossed the line, Michael wouldn’t hesitate to refuse to do business with him.

              Denise sighed and pushed her long blond, teased hair over her shoulder. “Not really, he’s just so slimy.
Yuck
,” she said with feeling and turned back to her computer.

              Michael sighed and knew absolutely he did not want to take the new offer to the Kendall sisters. He’d barely survived the first one.

              He went into his office and went through his messages and made a few phone calls before he looked over the new terms Alex had given him. He glanced at the clock and was surprised to see an hour and a half had passed. He put his cell phone in his pocket and rushed out the door. Layla was probably wondering where he was.

              He ran lightly down the street and reached the bakery in minutes. As he walked up the steps to open the door though, something made him turn around. Something musical on the air had reached his ears. Laughter. He looked down the street and saw a tall, beautiful blond holding the hand of a little girl as they walked a short, lumpy looking dog with big ears slowly down the street.

              Michael grinned as he leaned against the porch railing and watched. They stopped to let the dog sniff something only he could see and Stella took the opportunity to crouch down and pet the dog. Stella had been begging for a dog for the last year, but he’d hesitated. It was hard enough being a single dad. Adding a pet to the mix would kill him. But as he watched his daughter’s delight, his heart softened. She looked so happy with the dog.
And with the woman
. Stella looked up and laughed at something Layla had said. Layla leaned down and petted the dog too, grinning into Stella’s upturned face. Layla ran her hand over Stella’s hair and stood up, taking her hand again as they continued their leisurely walk.