Page 54 of Highest Bid

“But unlike the other driver they weren’t the ones drunk driving,” Layla reminded him. “Which means the other driver who was at fault. And maybe your parents weren’t arguing at all. Maybe your mom knew the separation was coming and had already quietly accepted it before your dad told her.”

Galan exhaled slowly. “You might be right. I noticed a change in Mom weeks before the fatal crash. She’d drawn into herself, became quieter.”

Layla knew that feeling all too well. Rather than face the truth of her parents’ constant fights, and the brother she’d lost, she’d found solace in her own solitary world.

A boat chugged past with two men in big straw hats, and the otherwise calm ocean rippled with a light, briny breeze that fluttered Layla’s still unbound hair. She ran her fingers through the dark strands, realizing she’d abandoned the clip somewhere on the sand.

“I guess we’ll never know,” Galan added gruffly.

She turned toward him, all but forcing him to stop, too. There could be no more misunderstandings, no more secrets between them, nothing to separate them ever again.

“You’re right, nobody will ever know. Not even the drunk driver, who was probably so inebriated he wouldn’t remember the accident.” She lifted her hands and gripped his forearms. “It’s the driver who should be the one clinging onto all the guilt, not you.”

Galan’s lashes swept low, for a moment hiding the remorse and sorrow she’d glimpsed deep behind his eyes. Her hands tightened hold, and she resisted giving him a little shake. “You’re not responsible for everyone. Not your deceased parents, not your brothers, or Sienna. Not even me.”

His lashes lifted, and he nodded before conceding, “You’re right.”

She smiled, aware he wasn’t so stubborn that he couldn’t admit his faults. “We’re both emotionally flawed, but at least we’ll have fun working on our shortcomings.”

His eyes flared, before he echoed her words from what seemed like months ago. “You make every day a celebration.”

She shook her head and added, “I think I’d like your brothers to hear that.”

They were still laughing when they walked together toward the pub, where Sienna was sucking on yet another drink and looking a little worse for wear. “About time.” Her gaze trawled over their wet and sandy clothes. “At least you two won’t be booking a room to kiss and make up before we head back home.”

Home. That one word had never sounded so sweet.

It took Layla ten minutes to grab the few things from her room on the top floor of the pub and say her goodbyes. Sienna was snoring in the backseat ten minutes after that on the drive home.

Galan grinned in the rearview mirror. “I don’t even want to know how many drinks Sienna had.”

Layla turned her head, giggling at Sienna’s open mouth. “I think she imagined she was filling in time wisely.”

Galan slanted Layla a quick look. “Speaking of filling in time wisely,”

She looked his way. “Yes?”

“After I drop off my sister, I’d like to call in on your parents on the way home. They really were worried about you...and it’d be great to clear the air before we start our future together.”

She nodded, though her stomach fluttered with nerves. “I’d like that, too.”

He placed a hand on her knee and gave a reassuring squeeze. “We don’t have to stay long, just enough so they know you’re safe, and I can state my intentions.”

Her stare automatically moved to the ring on her finger. Her parents would be ecstatic knowing she’d landed some rich dude. She just wished they were happy because she’d found a man she loved and who loved her in return.

Sienna was stirring when Galan parked in front of a luxurious apartment building in the city center. “Home sweet home, Sienna,” he said with a chuckle.

Layla said goodbye to Sienna, then waited in the car while Galan escorted his sister inside the apartment foyer. Only when he was back in the driver’s seat, and pulling into the steady flow of traffic, did she say, “Nice place.”

He smiled. “I thought so, too. She has two bedrooms and her own terrace with a lap pool—she loves to swim. And she’s relatively safe there with a night guard and concierge who look out for her.”

She turned to him, perceiving just how protective he was of his sister, and how much he’d do for her to keep her safe. “You bought her an apartment.”

He shrugged. “It’s the least I could do.”

She shook her head and sighed. “I really have misjudged you.”

He smirked. “Believe me, you wouldn’t be alone. The Black brothers have quite the reputation.”

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