Page 24 of How to Date a Younger Man
She stands up and stretches.
“I guess this was a little more than you signed up for when you offered to help me move,” she says with a laugh, then glances around. “It’s such a nice night. Do you want to hang out and have a drink in the backyard? I promise I’m done being all moody and existential.”
Unsure, I hesitate. I have plans to meet up with Cora for a movie night, and two minutes ago I was planning to leave. But now I don’t feel so good about skipping out and leaving Layne alone in this big house when she’s feeling vulnerable.
“Yeah, a drink sounds great.” I pull out my phone and shoot off a quick text to Cora.
Gonna be a little late. Can we start movie night later?
I ignore the twinge of guilt I feel as I follow Layne inside, where she pulls out tequila and margarita mix.
“Some things never change,” I say with a grin as she mixes up two perfectly crafted margaritas.
“I’m a woman who knows what she likes,” she says, handing me an icy drink with a smile.
I follow her into the backyard, where earlier I assembled a new patio set. It’s the time of night when the sun has set just enough to cool things off. Layne plugs in the string lights we looped around the fence earlier, giving the space a warm glow. It’s quiet in the yard, other than the sound of far-off cars.
Layne runs her fingertips over the back of one of the black iron chairs before sinking down into its plush cushioned seat.
“I’ve always thought of myself as an apartment kind of guy, but I could get used to this lifestyle,” I say, leaning back in my own chair. “You did good finding this place, Anderson.”
“It’s pretty great, isn’t it? This yard is what sold me on the house.” She sips her drink and lets out a sigh, pulling her dark hair out of the confines of the ponytail she’s had it secured in all day.
Dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt, with her hair loose and wild, she looks younger than her birth certificate claims. Even if I was friend-zoned a long time ago, it’s difficult not to notice how gorgeous Layne is. I don’t see that changing anytime soon, whether I’m dating someone or not.
I’d never cheat or do anything to break Cora’s trust, but that doesn’t mean I can just turn off the feelings I have for Layne. The hot encounter we had on her couch after her last breakup didn’t help the lustful thoughts I still secretly harbor.
The way she moved against my lap, the soft, need-filled sounds she made that went straight to my groin, the way she kissed, like she was all in and ready for whatever I could give her . . . They’re only things I let myself think about late at night when I’m alone. And when those memories do invade my brain, my hand usually makes its way under my briefs for a quick jerk session.
Layne would kill me if she knew I still thought about that night, and Cora would definitely dump my ass. Which is why I should suppress those memories. But it’s easier said than done, especially now, watching Layne lick an icy droplet of lime from her plump bottom lip, and run her fingers through the long lengths of her tangled hair.
“I’m thinking about having a housewarming party. Maybe then I can finally meet your mysterious girlfriend,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows as she sets her drink on the glass-topped table.
Cora.
Right.
My girlfriend.
Deciding it’s time to remove myself from further temptation, I stand up and stretch. “I should get going.”
“Are you sure?” Layne asks. “I’ve got that whole bottle of tequila. Don’t make me drink it alone.”
“Believe me, the last thing I want to do is facilitate another tequila binge, but I’m late to meet Cora,” I say, grinning at Layne. “We have big plans to watch Psycho. Can you believe she’s never seen Hitchcock?” I shake my head in mock disappointment. “Kids these days.”
“Ah, okay,” Layne says.
Something passes over her face that I can’t quite place. But when I blink, she’s smiling again, leaving me wondering if I imagined it.
She follows me inside where I set my empty glass in the sink. We walk to the front door together, and I take one last look around.
“This place looks really good,” I tell her, smiling. “I have a good feeling about it.”
Layne smirks at me. “I hope so, because I just sank a small fortune into buying it. Good luck with Cora’s cinematic education,” she adds, leaning against the door frame as I step out onto the front porch. “And thanks for helping me today. I know it was a lot.”
“I was happy to help.” As I give her a quick hug good-bye, I breathe in her familiar scent and then take a step back, releasing her.
