Page 49 of Falling for the Enemy

I devoured the two pastries as if they were the last sticky, doughy treats on earth. Layla walked in as I finished my coffee. She practically tripped on my pack at the door but was still surprised to see me in the kitchen.

“Ava!” There was another hug session. This one went extra-long because Layla was involved. It seemed we may have over-smothered her growing up.

“We weren’t expecting you. I mean we were because of your text but you’re back early, aren’t you?” She had the same reaction as Ella. “Did you get sick?”

“No, a big storm came in, and they had to evacuate,” Ella explained.

“Layla, you smell like brown sugar and vanilla,” I said.

Layla grunted. “One of the hazards of working in a bakery.”

Ella laughed. “Be thankful Isla didn’t open a fish market.”

“How is the bakery doing?” I asked. I left just a few days after it opened and had been out of contact since then.

“The excitement and novelty have not worn off.” Layla poured herself a cup of coffee. “Nor are they likely to anytime in the near future. The line goes out the door almost all day.”

“I knew Isla would wow everyone with her goodies. I’m so glad to hear it.”

“I think she’ll have to hire an assistant baker and someone to help me behind the counter. El isn’t interested,” Layla said with an eye roll.

“Uh, excuse me, I have a job at the online publication.”

“You crank out those stories faster than Isla can churn out cinnamon rolls. It’s not your job that takes up most of your spare time,” Layla said.

“How is Rhett?” I asked. “And how is the house coming?”

Ella turned her eyes up to the ceiling. “Rhett is dreamy and perfect and wonderful. The house, not so much. The contractor keeps uncovering problems and then one problem leads to a whole new set of problems.”

“Then it’s a good thing Rhett is a billionaire.” Layla sighed. “Ava, when are we going to find our dream men? Mine doesn’t even have to be rich.” Layla followed Ella’s lead and turned her eyes up in thought. “Just handsome and funny and charming and ready to shower me with constant love and adoration.” Layla popped out of her daydream. “What happened with that miserable professor you were stuck with on the trip? Was he horrid?”

Ella crossed her arms and bunched her brows. “Yes, what did happen with Professor Grump? I got strange vibes from you when I brought him up earlier.”

“It’s kind of a weird story. I think I need a shower first, and what’s for dinner? I’m hungry.”

Ella laughed. “You just downed those two pastries and a big cup of coffee.”

“Yep, making up for lost time. I’m going to shower.”

“I’ll order a pizza. What should I get on top?”

“Anything but powdered eggs, guava or breadfruit,” I said as I headed toward the bathroom.

“Breadfruit? What the heck is breadfruit?” I heard Layla ask as I reached the hallway.

An hour later we were sitting on the back patio watching a glorious sunset over the cove. Aria and Isla had joined us, and there were two cheesy pizzas waiting to be plucked apart.

“So, Ella says something intriguing happened on the trip between you and the grump.” Aria took a bite of pizza and spent a few seconds fighting with a string of mozzarella.

“Ella is adding in her own drama,” I said. I took a bite. “Oh my gosh, best thing ever. There’s nothing worse than dehydrated food. They try to make it sound tasty and gourmet, but in the end it’s a flavored powder brought to a semi-solid state with water.”

Isla laughed. “Spoken like a true scientist. But you’re deflecting with the pizza commentary, which means, Ella was right. Something happened out there in the jungle.”

“Hmm,” I sat up straighter. “You’re right. Jack and I reunited the absolute sweetest baby sloth with its mother. The storm had blown it out of the tree.”

Every face turned in my direction.

“What?” I asked.

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