Page 27 of Love, Lies and Mistletoe
“That’s amazing.” She craned her neck as they drove past the empty truck. He was nowhere in sight. She didn’t catch the last part of what Kyle said, something about a personalized something or other.
Kyle turned toward Layla as he pulled in front of her shop. “I didn’t even finish the sentence. How do you know it’s amazing?”
Brant sat on the little yellow bench next to the door. He frowned when he saw her. Layla unbuckled her belt.
She glanced back at Kyle. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”
“Never mind. It’s not important.”
Layla deflated. What he’d been telling her about his trip had been fascinating, but Kyle’s voice faded when she caught sight of the truck.
Her hand was on the handle before she remembered to acknowledge their day together. Kyle had put a lot of thought into making it special, yet all of it vanished in a blink. She hated herself for being so easily distracted. “I had a really nice time today. Thank you.”
Kyle brightened. “I’m happy to hear you liked it. Now you’re a snowshoe pro.”
“Not yet, but thanks for the ego boost.” She laughed a little too loudly. It was time to get out before he realized how distracted she was.
“Who’s that?” Kyle leaned forward to peer through her window.
She waved the question away. “Oh, nobody important.”
“Do you know him?”
“Kind of…yes. He sets up light displays.”
“Light displays. As in Christmas decorations?”
No wonder Brant glowered at them. They were both staring at him like he was a zoo animal.
Layla gave another sharp laugh. “Yes, exactly.”
Kyle looked skeptical. “Why is he sitting in front of your shop?
“Oh. Well, his… He said he was coming by to drop something off that I forgot at the last job.” It wasn’t a lie exactly. That Brant had done it last week was a minor detail.
“So you’ve worked together.”
“Yes, last month. In Hendricks.”
Kyle continued to stare at Brant like they were locked into some kind of telepathic, alpha male beatdown. “Should I walk you to the door?”
“No, I’ll be fine. He’s full of himself but harmless.”
Kyle’s shoulders drooped. “If you’re sure you’ll be all right.”
She rested her hand on his. “I’m good. Thanks again for today.”
Outside, she shut the door and waved at Kyle through the window before he drove away. If she had time to think about it before she faced Brant, she might wonder why she was so anxious to say goodbye.
Chapter Thirteen
Brant leaned back to rest his arm across the bench as he watched that fancy SUV disappear down the street. The bench creaked under his weight, so he shifted again before it gave way and landed him on the boardwalk.
He sniffed. “Who was that?”
“I don’t think that’s your business.” Layla flounced onto the porch with an air of indifference, barely looking at him.
“A brother—?”
