Page 21 of So This Is Love

“There is no competition,” I repeat. “Do I enjoy the company of a woman from time to time? I’m single, so of course. But when I’m in a relationship and someone is mine, they get all of me, no sharing. I would never disrespect a woman by cheating on her.”

Laila stares in my eyes trying to gauge whether I’m telling the truth or not. I hold her gaze, showing her the sincerity of my words until she breaks eye contact and looks away.

“Let’s make a deal,” I say, grabbing her attention again.

“I’m not looking for anything from you, Bryce.”

“You haven’t even heard what I’m offering,” I say, finishing off my drink.

“What are you offering?”

“Friendship. Let’s be friends.”

Laila scowls at me, most likely in disbelief that my intentions are actually to just get to know her.

“No.”

She says it with finality in her tone and the brutal honesty of it takes me by surprise. Of any outcome I would have come to, Laila turning me down was not one I expected. Though I guess that is a mistake on my part seeing as Laila has been nothing but direct and honest from the very first moment I met her. In fact it’s been one of the things that has drawn me most to her, along with the fact that she’s fucking beautiful.

“Why not?”

The shock must be evident on my face.

“You really aren’t used to people turning you down huh?” she says, sitting back with a smug look on her face.

“One, I find it hard to believe that you have very many platonic friends who are women,” she continues.

I open my mouth to argue that point but I come up empty. “Alright you might be right. But that doesn’t mean I can’t start now.”

“Two, if we become friends that means I become a part of your orbit. I’ll be on the radar in connection with you and I don’t want that. I don’t want people following me around all in my business. I just want to live my life.

Before I can respond I hear my name called out from the other side of the room.

“SONNY! Bring your ass over here!” One of my friends calls out from the group of tables that I abandoned to come to Laila’s booth. I look over to my friends and see one of them with his arms up, trying to get my attention. Shots are being passed out and by the smiles on everyone’s faces, they’re having a good time.

“Go,” Laila says as someone yells out for me again.

“Join me.”

“Nah, not my vibe,” she says, shaking her head.

I nod and stand. I grab her hand, feeling the softness and warmth of her fingers in mine, trying my best to commit the feeling to memory. I desperately want to bring Laila along with me, to extend the time of her being here with me but I also respect her too much to try to force her to do something she doesn’t want to do.

“I hear you, but it doesn’t have to be like that. You won’t have to be in the spotlight at all. Just think about it,” I say, squeezing her hand softly before I let it go.

8

Laila

My head is pounding.I crack my eyes open and the onslaught of the bright sun streaming through my curtains makes the thumping in my head more intense. The room is spinning slightly but just enough to make me nauseous. I send a quick thanks to past Laila who had the forethought to leave Advil and a glass of water on my nightstand. I pick the Advil up and pop two of the pills into my mouth and drink all of the water.

I groan and force myself out of bed and to my bathroom to do my morning routine. Shower. Teeth brushed. Skin care. Moisturize. I feel slightly better after all of that but my head is still pounding. I open the door to my bedroom and walk out to the living room and kitchen. Zara is in the kitchen, humming to herself.

“Morning.”

“Good morning,” Zara says with a smile that drops as soon as she turns around and sees me. “Oh boo, you look rough.”

I glare at her as I sit in one of the stools at the kitchen island. “You’re chipper this morning.”

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