Page 40 of Endless Harmonies
Together, we have everything going by the time Turner and Layla come down with clean babies.
“This smells amazing,” he says, grinning. “Need any help?”
“Peanut butter or chocolate chips is the decision I need you to make, please,” I giggle as I cook. “If you’ll snuggle babies, I have this taken care of.”
“Aye, Lenny. I think I need chocolate in my life today,” Roark says easily. “Lay, what camp are you sitting in? Make the right decision now, lass.”
Layla smirks as she pretends to think hard.
“You’re just as bad as Lennon,” Orion snickers.
“Of course I am,” she laughs. “You’re lucky I’m craving chocolate.”
“Yes!” Roark whisper-shouts. Saira has passed out in his arms in the time we’ve been talking.
We have a really great time together as dinner is made, and then set the table. Layla and Ror strap the babies into their swings so Devlin can look around while his sister sleeps.
“Do you know what kind of dress you want, Lenny?” Layla asks, lips pursed as she starts looking at dress shops in the area. “There’s so many shops around here…”
“Something I can wear on the beach and dance in? I think I need to look because I can’t envision it yet,” I admit.
“Make a day of it and go shopping,” Derek encourages. “You’re only doing this once, enjoy it.”
“You’re right, I am,” I giggle. It almost feels surreal, and the heated looks of the guys make Layla snort.
“Your ass is going to be so red later,” she mutters as she scrolls through her phone. I almost choke on my taco, which makes Orion almost spit out his water. Roark covers his mouth to smother his laughter as Layla obliviously works through the list. “How do you feel about dress shopping and doing lunch one day?”
“That sounds fun,” I agree with a smile. “I don’t think you guys can come.”
“Ugh, no you can’t,” Layla says, wrinkling her nose. “Do we still need to worry about assholes?”
“I really don’t think so,” Orion says honestly. “I worry about the rest of the world but not about the people who hurt her before. They’re all dead.”
Freezing, I wait to see how Layla reacts. O has gotten comfortable around her, and sometimes doesn’t watch what he says. He lives here, I don’t want him to be on guard all of the time. That’s exhausting.
“Good, then we can go alone?” she asks, glancing up with a cheeky grin. I swear I don’t know why I was worried.
“Please, Daddy, please?” I add, rolling my lips inward to suppress my smile.
“Lenny,” Roark growls, making me shiver.
“Down girl,” Layla teases me. “So…?”
“Yes, that’s fine. Can you send me your itinerary, please?” Orion asks, amused. I’m surprised he gave in so easily.
“Yep. There’s a few dress shops that look promising in Pawley's Island. It’s not far from here, either,” she muses. “I’m going to call and make appointments for next week too.”
Orion and Layla discuss logistics, and I bask in my happiness. So this is what that feels like. Everything isn’t perfect, I still have things to overcome, but that’s okay.
Things are still very good.
“Oh!” Layla says suddenly, surprising me. “I have a date tomorrow with Tyler. He messaged me when we got back home asking to see me.”
“Hell yes.” I nod. “Where are you meeting him?”
“There’s a fall festival down by the water, and then he suggested getting dinner afterwards. Apparently, there’s a kid friendly one with wagon rides and a corn maze next weekend,” she says excitedly.
“The kids are little, but I think it’ll be a blast,” I agree with a smile. “We should definitely go.”