Page 98 of With This Ring
Layla worked to get ahold of her emotions and sniffed. “No, it’s worse than that.”
“Come with me.” Dakota led her to the sofa by the dressing rooms and they sat. “Take your time and tell me everything.” Dakota handed Layla a box of tissues, and Layla wiped her eyes and nose.
Layla sniffed. “It’s Hud. He ruined everything.” She explained how she and Shane had an argument over Hudson’s meddling, and how Shane canceled the wedding.
Dakota shook her head as she listened. Everything she had feared would come true had happened. “Layla, I’m so very sorry.”
“So now I’m not getting married, and I don’t need the dress.” She blotted more tears with a fresh tissue. “Hud’s impossible. I can’t talk to him. No matter what I say, he won’t listen to me. It’s always a losing battle with him.” She moved her fingers over the arm of the sofa. “I’m so heartbroken. I thought I’d be taking vows in two weeks and changing my name to Layla Simpson, but I’ve lost the love of my life. I don’t know how to go on without him.”
Dakota shifted closer to Layla and took her hand. “I’m sure you can work this out. Just give Shane time to calm down—then you can talk to him.”
“No.” Layla shook her head. “He said it’s over.” She rested her cheek on Dakota’s shoulder as her sobs broke free.
Dakota rubbed her back again. “Shane’s going to realize he needs you as much as you need him. You can’t let Hud’s criticisms break you up. And hopefully Hud will realize what a blockhead he’s been.”
“No, he won’t.” Layla ripped another tissue from the box. “He’s completely into himself. I’ve been trying to get you and him together ever since he returned, but he can’t see beyond himself. He’s too self-centered to realize he could be happy with you in Flowering Grove. He’ll never change.”
Dakota tried to ignore the shiver that Layla’s words sent through her. She wanted to believe that Hudson needed her and Flowering Grove, but she also knew he was determined to leave as fast as he could.
She gave Layla’s shoulder a tender squeeze. “Honey, you can’t give up that easily on Shane. You two are meant to be together.”
“You think so?” Layla’s expression reminded Dakota of a confused little girl looking for encouragement.
“Yes, I know it for a fact. I’ve seen you and Shane together, and I can see your love for each other radiating in your eyes and your smiles. You can’t let him slip through your fingers. Forget what your brother says and just concentrate on each other and your future together.”
“It’s too late. The damage is done. And now I have to cancel my wedding. How will I even do that?” Her voice wobbled. “I’ll have to ask Aunt Trudy to help me call everyone, but what do I say? Something like, ‘This is Layla Garrity. My fiancé broke up with me because my brother’s a jerk, and now the wedding is canceled’?” She sniffed and started to cry again, leaning against Dakota.
“Oh, sweetie.” Dakota sighed. “It’s going to be okay.”
“No, it’s not. Nothing will be okay ever again.”
Dakota held her close, and her heart fractured as her friend cried. She knew what she had to do. She had to tell Hudson to fix this—and as soon as she could, she’d go and do just that.
***
Hudson dropped a book in a bag and brushed his hand over his face. Everything was in shambles. His sister didn’t want him in her life, and he had no reason to stay in Flowering Grove. He just needed to keep moving forward, which was what he planned to do.
After he’d texted Darren, they’d talked on the phone and worked out the details. It was time to put Flowering Grove behind him for good. He was going to drive to New York tomorrow to tie up loose ends and meet with Darren before they headed to the Middle East.
If only he could convince himself he was making the right decision. The strange niggle of doubt lingered at the back of his mind. He set two more books in the duffel, and when a knock sounded on the front door, he headed to the foyer.
Pulling the door open, he found Dakota standing on the front porch with a scowl pinching her face. “Dakota. What a surprise.”
“We need to talk.”
He gestured for her to come in, and she followed him through the large foyer and into the enormous den. “Have a seat.”
“No, thanks.” She remained standing and crossed her arms. “Layla came to see me this afternoon.”
He leaned against a pony wall separating the hallway from the den and studied her, waiting for her admonishment.
“She was really upset,” she said.
He swallowed. “And I’m sure she told you that her wedding is off because I interfered with her relationship.”
“Exactly.” She eyed him. “Why are you here instead of working things out with her?”
He held his hands up. “She made it clear that she doesn’t want me in her life.”