Page 28 of The Playboy's Playbook

“Is Nola that much of a troublemaker?” I ask.

“She’s small and has the biggest, most innocent looking eyes, but don’t let her fool you. She’s spoiled rotten and is a master manipulator,” Laila says, a bright smile reaching her eyes.

“Was she a gift from you mom?”

If Laila’s smile gets any bigger, her face may break. “You know about the cat distribution system?”

I nod. “Vaguely.”

“Well, the puppy distribution system claimed me. I had just moved into my apartment after I started working for the senator and needed to do some shopping for basics, so I went to the shopping center. I was walking past the rescue center and she was in the window.

“It’s rare to see her breed in a shelter. I figured she belonged to one of the workers and kept walking. When I came back, she was still sitting there and she started pawing at the window, like she wanted me to come in and get her.”

Laila stops talking and looks down at her feet, bending down to pick up the puppy in question. “She was found abandoned near a dumpster on the Fourth of July and some nice people brought her to the rescue thinking she’d be claimed. Nobody claimed her or adopted her. Fifteen minutes after I walked in, I was walking out of the shelter with the best puppy a girl could have.”

As if Nola understands Laila, she sniffs her face before giving her a little kiss on the cheek, earning another smile from Laila.

“I’m glad you found each other.”

Laila sighs, her eyes still trained on Nola. “Yeah, me, too.”

“Does Nola have a…dad?” I ask meekly, making Laila laugh.

“If that’s your way of asking if I have a boyfriend, the answer is no.”

I nod and keep my voice low. “Noted.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you how Prancer is doing,” Laila says, picking up her phone and walking through the house.

“Uh,” I hesitate, not sure how to explain to Laila that I haven’t seen my childhood dog in years. “He’s good.”I think.

“That’s good. How’s Hannah and Ms. Maren? You didn’t talk about them the other day.” I’m thankful that Laila is preoccupied trying to get herself and Nola ready for bed to notice how awkward I look.

“They’re good. Busy,” I say my typical answer that I use to cut the conversation short about my mom and sister.

“I know the feeling. My mom usually sees Ms. Maren when she goes shopping at the boutique, but that’s been a while.”

I don’t say anything, just nod in reply. I have so much baggage to unpack, but I don’t want to do it right now, so I change the subject. “How was the rest of your day? Did you finish your term paper?”

Laila groans and leans back in her chair. “Ugh, I wish. Thankfully, it’s not due for another week.”

“Anything I could help you with?” I offer, knowing that my associates degree doesn’t hold a candle to her university degree.

Laila smiles sweetly at me. “If you have any insight into how public administration is actually a valuable asset to federal governance and decisions concerning certain issues should remain with the agencies and their experts, I’m all ears.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Yeah, I think that might be out of my range of knowledge, Lala. If it was about construction, I’m your man.”

I look at the screen and see that Laila’s demeanor has changed. Her eyes are void of emotion and the sparkle in her eyes are gone. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. “Everything alright?”

“Yeah, fine. Uh, I’m actually gonna head to bed now. I’m a bit tired. Goodnight, Matthew.”

I don’t get a chance to say goodnight before she ends the call. I fall back onto my bed and bring my pillow to my face, letting out a frustrated scream.

And here I thought I was making waves with her.

Chapter Twelve

LAILA

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