Page 44 of Highest Bid

“Is Colleen okay?” Billy asked.

That Billy knew Colleen’s name was a great start.

Layla shook her head. “She’s been having a hard time of things lately. Would you mind talking to her?”

Billy nodded. “Of course.”

Only once Billy had hurried after Colleen, did Galan raise a brow. “You’re matchmaking.”

“They’d be perfect for one another. And besides, I’d love to see Colleen smile again.”

Galan’s cell phone abruptly chimed with an incoming message, and he dug it from his pocket to read the text, his face growing taut while a whirlpool of emotions flickered behind his eyes.

Something inside Layla’s chest squeezed, as though in premonition. “What’s wrong?”

He jammed the phone back into his pocket. When he looked at her next, his gaze was unreadable, all his emotions locked away. “I’m sorry Layla, I’m going to have to cut this short.” He pushed to his feet. “But, please, enjoy your drink, and order a meal. Ned will put it on my account.”

He stepped toward her, lifting her chin with his hand before he bent and pressed a kiss to her lips that was possessive, even as he was clearly distracted. “Sleep in my bed tonight,” he ordered huskily. His stare darkened. “I’ll join you as soon as I can.”

She put a hand on his arm and stared up into his eyes. “At least tell me what’s going on.”

He ran a tender hand along her jawline. “It’s a...family emergency. But nothing for you to worry about, okay?”

She nodded, and whispered, “Okay,” even as doubt unfurled within, one that grew as she watched his hurried stride widen the chasm between them.

She blew out an unsteady breath. She had a feeling she’d need something far stronger than a mocktail.

Chapter Sixteen

Layla’s stomach was churning when a flushed Colleen delivered the drinks not even ten minutes after Galan had walked out.

“Sorry for the delay,” Colleen said, even cracking a smile as she put down Layla’s frothy, non-alcoholic strawberry daiquiri, and Galan’s light beer. She glanced pointedly at Galan’s empty seat. “Are you ready to order dinner or would you prefer to wait?”

“No, I’ll order now,” Layla said crisply. Her stomach needed food, and she was not going to jump to conclusions. Galan had said he loved her, and she believed him. When he’d spoken those three little words they’d been nothing short of a pledge.

Her tension easing, she ordered chicken pasta. She had no doubt she’d be working off the calories later that night with Galan anyway.

Layla snuck a glance Billy’s way, relieved to see his eyes following the blonde waitress as she hurried between the tables, catching up on orders. Colleen deserved someone who’d love and respect her. She only hoped things would progress that far between them.

Lord only knew things had progressed quickly enough between Layla and Galan.

Too quickly, perhaps?

Colleen had just put down Layla’s plate of pasta, when the sheer height and presence of Liam and Aiden caught her eye, as they each took a seat at a table two across from hers. Her chest constricted at their loose-limbed, relaxed body language. But, for the moment, they were too caught up in conversation to notice her.

If there was a family emergency, then they seemed blissfully unaware of it. Liam’s blond hair glinted under the lights, his lips pulled into a wry smirk at something his brother said. It was Aiden who spotted her. His dark eyes, so much like Galan’s, turned her way, as though sensing he and Liam were being watched.

“Layla!” Aiden said with a wide smile. “We didn’t see you there.”

Liam twisted to face her. “Ah, here’s the hard-working girl. How’s the new job treating you?”

She beamed. “It’s great, thank you.”

Aiden nodded. “Well, you’re perfect for the role; I only wish we’d thought of it first.”

Liam snorted. “You mean before Galan did?” He shook his head. “Fat chance. That man is obsessed with everything Layla.” He scanned the room. “Speaking of our big brother, where is he? Don’t tell me you’re dining alone?”

“He was here,” she said in a surprisingly neutral voice, “but he had some family emergency that couldn’t wait.”

---