Page 101 of Masked Sins
I look down at the table, playing with the paper from the muffin. “He seems to really like her. I think you’re giving me too much credit.”
“Trust me, Layla. You’ll always be Orion’s first choice.”
I should know better than to think you would ever admit how you really feel about me.
Those words had haunted me for months, as did his hurt expression. He knew I had feelings for him that night, even before I could admit it to myself.
And earlier… the look on his face…
Malakai’s words send butterflies skittering through me, and I can’t help but feel my lips lift into a smile.
“Okay, so I have to choose. That will besoeasy.”
“Who’s the other guy?” Malakai asks.
“He’s someone I met online. We haven’t actually met in person. But we—the connection is intense.”
Malakai shrugs. “Then meet him in person and see which connection is stronger. Listen to your heart.”
I smirk as I look back up at him. “Thanks. Yeah, I guess I shouldn’t decide until I meet the other guy.” Several seconds pass before I ask my next question. “What about you?”
Malakai instantly goes still. “What about me?”
“What’s new with you? Are you seeing anyone?”
“Romantically?” he asks, narrowing his eyes.
“Yes?” I answer, laughing.
He shakes his head, but something secretive passes over his expression. “No. I’ve been too busy. Today’s my first morning off in weeks.”
“Doing what? At St. Helena?”
“No. I had a friend move back from London and buy a fixer-upper just outside of town. It needs a lot of work, so I’m helping him with some of the small stuff.”
“Pastor, handyman, therapist. Is there anything you can’t do?”
He shakes his head and looks down at the table. “There’s a lot I can’t do. But enough about me. What’s the plan?”
I shrug. “I guess to meet with the online guy and make my choice after that.”
He nods before standing. “I suppose my opinion doesn’t matter?”
“No, it does.”
We walk out into the blinding heat together, and when we get to the entrance to Orion’s building, he turns to face me.
“You asked for it,” he teases, crossing his arms. “My opinion? You have to look at compatibility, too. Shared interests, morals, where you see yourself in five or ten years. Because sometimes you can have all the chemistry but no future. And speaking from experience, nothing is more heartbreaking than forming a connection with someone physically while knowing it can never go further.”
I digest his words as I begin to sweat, eager to get back into the air-conditioned building.
“Speaking from experience?” I ask him, smiling ruefully before looking down at my shoes.
“Trust me, Layla. It’s the worst kind of torture to want someone you can’t be with long term.”
I swallow. “I can see that.” Looking up at him, I take in his furrowed brows and crossed arms. A small part of me wonders who he’s talking about—and what happened—but before I can ask, he pulls me into a quick brotherly hug.
“I’ll see you soon, okay?”
