Page 27 of In the Lonely Hour

“Which is exactly why you have to continue working with her,” Layla continued, grabbing his arm. “I know your team is great, but you’re better. He should want the best for his daughter.”

“I’m sure he does, but not if that also means wanting the best for his wife too.” Layla’s shoulders hung as she sighed. “You know like I know this is about us, not Dior.”

“I know and that’s what upsets me. I don’t like the idea of him controlling me in this manner. If Dior was genuinely in danger or not getting the help she needed, I would end our arrangement with no hesitation. But she’s thriving, Andres, and it just so happens that… I’m thriving because of you too. It’s not fair that he gets to come in and ruin that. Haven’t I given up enough because of him?”

Andres smiled before placing a kiss to her nose. “Under different circumstances, I would fight for you… for us… with no hesitation. But we have to make sure Dior gets what she needs above all. I don’t want to be the reason she has to adjust in a new home on top of starting a new schoolyear while trying to make new friends just because her father is intimidated by me and what we could have. If he wants me gone… we have to give him that. But when your divorce is finalized, I’ll be your man and her friend. There won’t be anything he can do to stop that.”

“Something is telling me he will find a way. I have a week to give him my decision. As long as he doesn’t try anything by then,I guess I’ll be okay with you getting a replacement just as long as you don’t completely turn away from us.”

Andres didn’t reply right away. He couldn’t. No matter how much he wanted Layla, he was going to do whatever was best for Dior. It wouldn’t surprise him if Carlos tried to fight for custody if he couldn’t keep them apart. If that meant they couldn’t see each other anymore… as much as it would hurt… that’s what they would have to do.

Layla didn’t mean to take it personally, but she couldn’t help it. It felt silly even feeling the way she was, but she couldn’t help herself. The past week things had been off between her and Andres. He’d been just as present and helpful with Dior… it was Layla he’d started to retreat from. Layla couldn’t blame him. If she decided to agree to Carlos’s terms, tonight would be the last night they’d have with Andres.

As a sign of good faith, Carlos allowed them to come back home. To Layla, it was his cocky way of showing he knew she would agree to what he’d said.

Needing to clear her mind, Layla lit a few candles and started a Sade playlist while she cleaned the kitchen after dinner. As Sade sang about a love that wasn’t ordinary, Layla washed the dishes as if the action could cleanse her thoughts.

“Do you need anything before I go?” Andres asked, leaning against the counter next to the sink.

Avoiding his eyes, Layla shook her head. “I’m good. Thank you. Have a good night.”

Andres chuckled. “What’s up with you, Layla?”

“Why does something have to be up with me?”

“You won’t look at me for one.” Andres’s fingers under her chin turned her head in his direction. “What’s wrong?”

“I feel some type of way,” she admitted.

“About?”

“You’ve been acting funny.”

“How?”

“Ever since you started working with us, you’ve spoiled me with your time and attention. No matter how full your plate is with Dior, you always set aside time for me. This week, it feels like you’ve been distant. You’ve mainly just been talking to and engaging with Dior and I don’t like that.”

He chuckled again as he grabbed the hanging rooster decorated dish towel and used it to cut the water off and dry her hands.

“I will admit that I’ve been trying to wean myself off of you. Tomorrow’s the day you have to make your decision, right? I’ve been trying to prepare for that.”

“But why? Even if you’re not her aide you’ll still be around, right?”

Andres’s head tilted as he released a hard breath. “I know that’s what we both want, but we have to be realistic. If Carlos doesn’t want me around, he’s not going to accept our relationship. He’s going to find some kind of way to keep us apart. I don’t want to create dis-ease for you or Dior.”

Her tongue ran across her teeth as she stared at him. Sade was singing about being by her man’s side, and here Layla was, accepting the fact that she might have to say goodbye to hers.

“So that’s it? I’m just supposed to accept the end of us before it even really begins?”

Andres pushed her hair out of her face then cupped her cheeks and pulled her into his chest. “How about we make the most of tonight and let everything else play out how it will in time?”

Her lips formed a pout as her brows wrinkled. He couldn’t even bear to speak those words just to avoid hurting her, and that only made her want him more. Layla pushed him away gently before placing her hands back in the soapy water. Andres made his way behind her, wrapping his arms around her and swaying her hips and his to “Smooth Operator.”

“What are you doing?” she asked through her giggle.

“Giving your spoiled ass some attention before I go.”

“I don’t want it anymore,” she whined, biting back her smile. “It’s only going to make this harder.”

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