Chapter 13
“Come in. Please. Sit.” Willa Schama held the door open wide to let Layla and Ariel into her family’s apartment. Ledger was with them, but they’d left the other guys behind.
Two women were seated across the room, and they rose to close the distance. It wasn’t hard to identify them. Brea was obviously Gatlin’s sister with her darker skin and eyes. Liana looked so much like her brother, Ledger, with her dirty blond hair and blue eyes.
Layla knew from the guys that their sisters were best friends. They were both twenty-four. Neither of them was in a relationship with anyone, which apparently was practically scandalous these days. In a joking way.
No one seriously expected women to choose someone or a group of men to commit to. Free will was a term Layla had heard dozens of times so far. Not to mention it wasn’t anyone’s business what anyone else’s preferences might be when it came to attraction.
What made Brea and Liana stand out was that with so many men vying for the attention of so few women, it was hard to hold back and turn them all down for as long as the two friends had.
Liana reached Layla first and gave her a big hug before doing the same to Ariel. “Welcome to crazytown,” she teased.
“Liana,” her mother admonished.
Liana shrugged. “What? You gonna deny we’re living in another dimension?”
Willa sighed and rolled her eyes. “No, but you could try not to panic the newcomers.”
Layla smiled at Willa after also receiving a hug from Brea. “I don’t think I could be more shocked by anything if I tried. I’m pretty sure if you told me dinosaurs were coming for dinner, I’d just shrug.”
Willa laughed, the sound infectious. It reminded Layla of her own mother. She pursed her lips and fought back the emotional overload that took over on that thought.
Willa stroked Layla’s back. “Come sit down, honey,” she murmured softly. “I know you’re overwhelmed.”
Layla nodded as she sat in the offered armchair, grateful for Ledger’s support as he stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders. He gave a gentle squeeze and she reached up and gripped one of his hands with hers.
“My husband, Abnor, isn’t here right now, but he’ll be eager to meet you when he can.”
“Thank you for taking us in and providing us with a chance at life,” Ariel said. She’d taken a seat on the sofa with the other two women.
Willa sat in the other armchair. “It’s what we do here, honey. And you’re welcome. I know you recently lost your parents. I’m so sorry. You’ll never be alone here in the compound. You’re welcome in my home anytime you want. I’ve been known to take on the role of mother to many young people since we joined The Wanderers.”
“She’s not kidding,” Ledger added. “My mom is mother to all people.”
Ariel sniffled. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Liana grabbed one of her hands. “I’d love it if you stayed with us. We have a spare room, or you could stay in my room if you don’t want to be alone.”
“Same at my home,” Brea added. “My parents would give the same speech and open their arms to you too if they were here right now.”
Layla choked up. The hospitality was beyond comprehension.
Ledger leaned closer, his elbows on the back of the chair. “Not that we would ever kick you out of our apartment, Ariel. You’re welcome with us as long as you’d like to stay. I know you and your sister are very close.”
Ariel smiled through watery eyes. “I appreciate the offer, and I’m sure I’ll be around so often you’ll get tired of me fast, but I also realize Layla needs time alone with you guys.”
Layla leaned forward, setting her elbows on her knees. “I don’t want you to feel like anyone is kicking you out. Ever.”
“I don’t.” She shook her head. “I promise.”
“If you want to jump right in and stay busy, you’re welcome to shadow either of us during the day,” Brea added. “I work at the clothing exchange, and Liana does bookkeeping for the council.”
Willa smiled. “No rush though, honey. You take your time. When you’re ready, you can go through all your options and we’ll figure out what sort of contribution best suits you.” She turned to face Layla. “You too. Didn’t mean to leave you out.”
Layla returned her warm smile. “Our parents were botanists, so we know more about food and farming than anything, but we are well-educated too. They made sure of it.”
Willa’s eyes lit up. “Then you might be more interested in helping in the agriculture department. Some of those jobs happen here inside the compound, while others travel to the various farms we have spread out around the tri-state area.”