Lake pulls his hand free. “Dude, relax. I’m the nice one out of the three.”
“I know, that’s what I’m most thankful for,” Preston says, looking over-emotional.
“Yeah, I’d want to cry too if I had to be Mason’s assistant,” Kingsley suddenly says behind me.
“Is that so?” Mason asks as he walks up behind Kingsley.
I’m usually good at reading Mason, but right now I can’t tell if he’s joking or pissed off. I get up and go stand next to him just in case.
Kingsley smiles awkwardly as she turns around to face Mason. A nervous look quickly settles on her face when she meets his eyes.
“In that case,” Mason grins which sets me at ease. He never grins while losing his temper, so Kingsley should survive whatever he has up his sleeve.
Mason walks to her and placing a hand on her back, he nudges her forward, while calling out, “Everyone, I have an announcement to make.”
Silence descends around us and Kingsley begins to shake her head, her eyes wide on Mason. “No, Mason. I really don’t –”
A huge smile spreads over Mason’s face. “Kingsley Hunt is my assistant. Let’s give her a round of applause.” Mason’s eyes are sharp on hers when he whispers, “She is going to need it.”
He walks away, and begins to move from table to table, talking with the students and leaving me with a dismayed-looking Kingsley.After Mason’s announcement which got everyone’s attention, my eyes land on Layla.
Do you like her that much?
Yes.
Then don’t let her slip through your fingers.
Layla pats Kingsley comfortingly on the shoulder, and you’d swear Kingsley received a death sentence by the pained looks on their faces.
Well, we are talking about Mason here.
“You’ll be fine,” I say to her, trying to offer some sort of encouragement.
She starts to shake her head. “No, I won’t because he will expect it of me to be at his constant beck and call and let’s face it, hell will freeze over before that happens.”
“I’m sure Layla has a couple of tips for you on how you can win Mason over. She’s been doing a great job with me,” I say, knowing full well my words will catch Layla off guard.
“I have?” Layla asks, a stunned expression washing over her face.
“What are you talking about?” Kingsley asks, looking totally lost.
I gesture between Layla and me. “We get along well,” I lock eyes with Layla hoping I’m not wrong, “and like each other.” I pause for a moment trying to gauge Layla’s reaction to my words. She just stares at me with a slight frown on her forehead. Glancing back to Kingsley, I say, “There’s hope for you and Mason.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Kingsley comments, her eyes boring holes into the back of Mason.
I take two steps closer to Layla and tilt my head slightly to catch her eyes. “About you and Mason surviving or Layla and me liking each other?” I ask.
“About Mason and I not killing each other,” Kingsley snaps, then quickly adds, “Ohh… Ohhhh. Shit, I didn’t see that coming. Ahh, I’ll leave the two of you to talk.”
She scurries away from us, and I know I’m taking one hell of a chance by doing this publicly, but it’s for Layla. Everyone will know, and if they try to fuck with her, they’ll have to deal with me.
“Let’s date, Layla.”
You can hear a fucking pin drop on the plush carpet. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one holding my breath as I wait for her to say something.Chapter 11LaylaLet’s date?
Did Mason tell him I didn’t shine his shoes and now he’s taking revenge on me?
Is he pulling my leg?
Crap, I don’t know if he’s serious or joking.
Everyone is staring at us, and I have no idea what to do. I let out the breath I’ve been holding along with a nervous chuckle. Needing to defuse this situation, I decide to play along. If it’s a joke, then everyone gets their laugh, if not… Nah, I’m pretty sure Falcon is kidding.
“Why not? I don’t have better offers right now.” I hear the words leave my mouth, and I promise to all that’s holy, that was not what I wanted to say.
Yeah, let’s date.
Sure, wanna start now?
Of course, I’d love to.
Any of those would’ve been better. But… I don’t have better offers? What the hell, Layla?
I’m just about to start praying for the ground to swallow me whole when Falcon smiles. Like a full-on – sexy in a way which wakes my hibernating hormones – smile.
“That’s a yes, right?” he asks, stepping closer to me. He takes hold of my arm that’s been hanging next to my side like a limp noodle. Slowly, his touch moves down until he reaches my hand. When his fingers close around mine, it sends tingles rushing over my body like a monster tsunami.