I took a sip of tea as I contemplated what to do. I’d already made up my mind that I was telling our parents about us and nothing would change that. But before anything, I needed to speak with Layla and find out if she wanted us as much as I did.

“Will she be at Dad’s party tonight?” I tried to sound casual, but my anxiety was getting the better of me.

Didn’t Layla know how much I fucking missed her? How much I was yearning to have her in my arms again? I’d sent her several messages, but I knew she hadn’t opened them.

“She told Taylor that she’d be here, so I can only hope she will keep to her promise. Milton would be so disappointed if not all of his children were here to help him celebrate. Apparently he’s looking forward to including Sloane too.”

“Yeah, I better get into the shower and get ready. I need to pick Sloane up in a couple of hours.” I pushed to my feet and looked around at the elaborate decorations all around the garden. “You’ve done a great job organizing the party, Alice. I’m sure Dad is going to appreciate all the effort you’ve put into it.”

“I hope so. It will all be worth it if it makes him happy. You know he likes to have all his family and close friends celebrate with him.” She placed her hand on my arm. “He’s had a tough time over the last few years, Grayson, so please go easy on him.”

I swallowed hard and nodded. Alice’s concern for Dad was genuine and heartfelt.

“He’s not as healthy as I’d like him to be and I don’t know what I’d do without him.” She dabbed at the corners of her eyes. “I’m worried about your father. He takes on too much work, it’s stressing him out. One day it’s going to make him keel over. Planning this party is the very least I can do to help him relax and enjoy life.”

Pulling her into a hug, I tried to console her. “I’ll arrange for Dad to have a check-up. I’ve already spoken to him about it and he’s agreed to go. So just enjoy tonight, be your beautiful self and leave the rest to me okay?”

“Thanks Grayson. You are a really special man. I’m sorry you won’t get to be a doctor, I think you’d be really great at it.”

I couldn’t reply to that statement without sounding bitter, so instead I kissed the top of her head and let her go so that I could get into the shower and get ready to pick Sloane up.

It will all work out. I know it will, I just need to speak to Layla, then Sloane and finally to Dad and Alice. I had to make them understand.

27: Layla

“I’m so happy you chose to work for us, Layla. You have no idea how much our community needs you. I know it’s not as glamorous as working for one of the bigger companies, but the rewards are so much greater. You’re going to fit in well with the rest of our team.”

“I hope so,” I said, biting the inside of my cheeks as I reconsidered my decision for the umpteenth time. It was too late to change my mind, I simply had to push forward with my plans.

“I promise you won’t regret it. We’re looking forward to your arrival.  Jack will be at the airport to pick you up and bring you to the clinic. Once you settle in and find your feet, you’ll become a valuable member of our unit.”

Sweet Lord. Was I making the right decision? Running away was the best solution I could come up with at the time. But now? Funny, I could solve anyone else’s problemsjust not my own.

But running to Africa?

Tears streamed down my face as I threw a few things into an oversized bag. Besides my toothbrush, my e-reader and a few photographs, there really wasn’t much else I wanted to take with me.

Shorts, jeans, t-shirts. Check.

Plane tickets. Double check.

What I needed was to get as far away from Grayson and everything he meant to me.

Was Africa even far enough?

I had to leave to give Grayson and Sloane a chance and for the sake of my own sanity.

At least I had a job there; a way to support myself while I worked through my emotions and got a grip on everything.

How had I ever imagined things would work out for me and Grayson?

I’d never regret one single moment, the time we had would keep me going. Lucky I had a great memory and I’d made sure to burn every second of our time together into my brain. Yeah, it would be like self-torture when I recalled them, but not having those memories would be worse.

A knock on my door startled me. It was probably someone coming to tell me that Milton’s party had started and I was expected to come downstairs. The days I’d spent at Carmen’s bedside had drained all my energy and I really wasn’t in the mood for partying, but my mother would never forgive me if I didn’t make an appearance after all the hard work she’d put into it.

“Layla, are you okay? Hey, why’d you lock the door?” Taylor demanded from the other side.

Crap. I never locked her out.

With the back of my hand I wiped away the tears and shoved the bag under my bed. She’d freak the fuck out if she had any idea what I was planning. As much as I wanted to tell her, I just couldn’t. Somethings were better left unexplained. How could I look her in the eye and tell her I’d been screwing her brother and now because of that, I had to leave?

Okay, it wasn’t the only reason, but it was a huge part of it.

“Yeah, I’m coming,” I said in my chirpiest voice, hoping to fool her.

I turned the handle and pulled the door open, plastering a big fake smile on my lips.

Her face dropped. “You’ve been crying! What’s going on?” She placed a hand on my shoulder and scrutinized my face. “Is it about a boy?”

Epic fail. Taylor’s eyes missed nothing. She saw right through me like always. There’s not much point in lying to her either about it, she’d get it out of me eventually, so I nodded. “It’s nothing I won’t get over.”

Lie. Damn lie. Even I didn’t buy it.

I opened the door wider and motioned for her to come in. Taylor pushed the door closed and leaned her arse against it, narrowing her eyes as she studied my face intently. Those piercing eyes—just like her brother’s—could see into my damn soul.

“Tell me who it is so I can go kick his balls. Asshole.” The passion in her voice didn’t surprise me. She was a feisty one all right.

Oh God, if she only knew.

“No, it’s nothing like that. Hey, I’m going to be fine, I promise.”

Putting on my brightest smile, I changed the topic, wanting to take the attention off me. “Wow, you look amazing. Dad’s going to be so proud of you tonight.” I tapped a finger to my lips. “Is there a boy you’ve dressed up for? Someone coming to the party that you have your eye on?”

“Maybe,” she said coyly. “I’m not sure he even knows I’m alive though.”

“Well, hon, if he has eyes in his head he’s going to be tripping over his dick when he sees you in that dress. Especially if you show him some interest.” I was dying to know who it could be and run a mental picture of the guest list through my brain, I couldn’t think of anyone. Milton’s party was a formal affair, no under eighteens except for Taylor, so there wouldn’t be boys of her age.

“Show him? How?”

“Eye contact. It’s all in the eyes. And smile when he smiles at you. Laugh at his jokes even if you think they are lame.”

“Geez, when did you get so smart? I thought you weren’t into dating?”

“I’m not. But I listen when my friends talk. You know my brain soaks up information like a sponge . . . even useless shit.”

“Sounds useful to me. I’m going to try it on S—” she clamped a hand over her mouth, realising that she’d said too much.

This time I narrowed my eyes at her. “Sssss . . . . Seth? Seth Matthews? That’s the guy?”

She didn’t need to say a damn word. The way her cheeks flushed and she cast her eyes down told me everything I needed to know.

“Oh God, Taylor, he’s way too old for you and he’s a player. Why in the world would you want him?”