That was the last straw. Why was I the bad guy here?

Five seconds later, Milton spotted us and came barging toward us.

What now?

“Well, nice to see you’re all catching up and having a good time.” He put an arm around Sloane and kissed her cheek. “I’m hoping my son is smart and snatches you up soon. I’m ready for grandchildren, so don’t make him work too hard to catch you, okay?”

Sloane giggled with delight, but my eyes were on Grayson. For once I couldn’t read him. He looked annoyed as fuck, but I couldn’t tell who he was angry with.

As for Milton’s little speech, if he had pointed a gun at me and shot me at point blank it would have hurt less. He was hell bent on getting Grayson and Sloane together and usually whatever Milton wanted, Milton got. He was a Forbes, it was a given.

Sloane smiled up at Milton. “I feel like part of the family already.”

My stomach turned. I was going to be sick. Maybe I should throw up all over my best friend’s pretty dress? For just a moment the green eyed monster turned me into somebody I didn’t know I’d ever become.

Instead I excused myself and turned away as Taylor moved closer to Seth and started chatting to him. He seemed so taken with her that I was already forgotten. As I reached the stairs, I turned to see Milton grip Grayson and Sloane by the arm and lead them to the dance floor with my mother following them with an encouraging smile.

Perfect.

Just fucking perfect.

30: Layla

Luckily I’d ordered a taxi earlier. I didn’t even bother to change as I hauled the big bag from under my bed and grabbed my jacket from the back of the chair. Right now all I wanted to do was get the hell out of there.

Hearing the sounds of laughter from below, simply confirmed that I was the odd one out. I didn’t fit in here, as hard as I’d tried, it just wasn’t meant to be.

Certain I was doing the right thing, I took a last look around my bedroom and headed for the door. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I lugged the heavy bag down the stairs. This was too easy. Everyone was so busy having fun that nobody saw me slip through the front door to the waiting taxi.

Luck was on my side for once. The valet was stood in the far corner of the driveway having a smoke, so I didn’t need to face him either. One less lie.

I dropped my bag into the open trunk and scooted into the back seat. “Airport please. I’m running late, so can you please hurry.”

The driver nodded and pulled away just as the valet came closer. “Don’t stop.”

Gravel crunched under the vehicle’s wheels as he accelerated toward the open gate. I held my breath as I looked back toward the house. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that a part of me was wishing Grayson would come running after me. I wanted him to stop me from leaving. I wanted him to hold me in his arms and tell everyone that he wanted me. That he loved me.

But there was nothing. Nobody came after me. Even the valet lost interest and turned back to the house.

For the first time in my life I was utterly alone. It was just me and what I had packed speeding off in the night to an unfamiliar destination.

Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I readied myself for the long flight awaiting me. The trip to London had taught me everything I needed to know about traveling, so I was prepared for the journey. If only it didn’t feel like I’d left my heart behind, I would’ve looked forward to a new adventure.

How little we know what the future holds.

When I applied for several jobs a few months earlier, the option to go to Africa was the last choice on my list. I’d only filled out the form out of curiosity, never really intending to take on a job on another continent. But here I was, a ticket to Africa in my hand and a shattered heart thudding against my ribs.

How easily we go from ecstasy to the depths of despair. Only a few short weeks ago I was the happiest woman in the world.

And this morning it all came crashing down.

The tightness of my clothes.

Missing my period.

The thin blue lines on a pregnancy strip.

*** TO BE CONTINUED ***

Part 3 is the final installment of Grayson & Layla’s story

SWEET BILLIONAIRE STEPBROTHER Part 3

An Excerpt

***

Grayson

Catching her hand in mine, I brought her fingers to my lips and kissed them.

“Why did you run, Lala?”

From under her lashes she stared up at me for a long moment before answering. “I’m just a girl in love with a boy I can’t have. That’s why I ran.”

I sucked in a breath. “Yeah? Does the boy have a name?”

She bit into her bottom lip as if to stop herself from telling me. “Of course he has a name.”

Jesus. She was testing me and I was losing.

“Are you going to tell me his name?” I asked tersely. I was still jetlagged and my sense of humor was seriously lacking. What if she said Seth Matthews?

“Why?”

“So I can punch his face if it’s not me. I didn’t come all this fucking way to hear another dude’s name.”

The corners of her mouth twitched. “Yeah?”

“So tell me his name, dammit.” If she kept biting that lip it was going to bleed soon. With my index finger I pressed on her lower lip to loosen it from under her teeth. “Layla? Answer me.”

“If I have to tell you his name you don’t know me very well. At all.”

An African boy who had been watching us from a distance ran closer and threw his arms around Layla’s legs as he called her name.

“Joey, what’s wrong, sweetheart?”

Layla leaned over and picked him up. Instantly his arms went around her neck. “My Lala,” he told me, his black eyes warning me.

“Hello, Joey,” I said in a soothing voice to pacify him.

He didn’t reply. Just knit his brows together and gave me a death stare.

“Your Lala?” I asked, amused that he used the same nickname for her as I did. It also appeared as if—as young as what he was—he was as smitten with my girl as I was.

His reply was a sloppy wet kiss on her cheek. Man, this little dude was marking his territory early. He was going to be a heartbreaker when he grew up. Layla closed her eyes for a second as she absorbed the pleasure from the sweet kiss, laughing with delight. No wonder everyone loved her—she accepted love with such grace that it was impossible not to want to shower her with displays of affection.

I should know. I’m fucking jealous of a damn kid.

“Hey, how about we both be her boyfriend? I’m willing to share if you are?”

“What’s your name?” he asked suspiciously. Tough customer.

I reached out a hand. Usually I was good with kids, but this one was resisting like fuck. “My name is Grayson. And I already know yours is Joey. What do you say we shake on it?”

“Why do you wanna be her boyfriend?” He narrowed those dark eyes and stared me down. If he weren’t so damn serious, I’d have to laugh. But Joey would be insulted and I’d be screwed. I had to tread lightly here or be damned.

Layla, sweet girl, was finding it all way too amusing. The smile on her face widened. “Yeah, please tell us Grayson.”

Her too? I wasn’t getting off lightly.

“Well, Joey . . . I mean just look at her. She’s the most beautiful girl on the planet, isn’t she?”

He nodded enthusiastically. Okay, this was good. Joey had a natural eye for beauty and we had the same taste in women. Awesome.

Layla’s cheeks turned pink as she adjusted her ponytail with one hand. Fucking adorable.

“And she smells good too.”

He leaned in and sniffed her neck. Another nod, but still no smile.

“She’s smart, funny and sings like a bird.”