Baby dashed toward the villa on Friday evening. She and Riley had bumped into Rhys and Owen on their way back from the stables. Apparently, Owen was hell-bent on having a guys’ night out at the resort’s bar, and Riley had opted to join them. It was just as well: All Baby wanted was a nice hot shower.
To wash away the guilt?
She and Riley had spent all afternoon on the other side of the island, riding the horses from one cove to the next, playing in the water, and kissing. It had been so fun and magical, but part of Baby felt guilty. Riley’s explanation of his and Layla’s relationship made sense—she’d heard of lots of couples who did that in college—but there was a difference between making out with a random girl Layla would never meet and making out with Layla’s almost stepsister.
“Hello?” Baby called as she slid open the glass door.
“Hey!” Layla emerged from the bedroom, wearing an oversize white American Apparel T-shirt belted as a dress. “How was riding?”
Baby blushed. “It was good. Um. We missed you,” Baby lied.
Layla nodded. “I’m glad you and Riley had fun,” she said slowly. Baby blinked. Did Layla sound suspicious? She couldn’t tell from her tone. “Your sister and her friend are getting ready for dinner. They’re going to that fancy restaurant in the hotel and pretending they’re ninety.” Layla cracked a grin.
“I heard that!” Avery yelled from the other side of the closed bedroom door.
Baby grinned at Layla.
“Anyway, I was thinking maybe we could grab some beers and hit the beach?” Layla asked hopefully. “I feel like we haven’t spent that much time together.”
“That sounds great,” Baby said, a lump in her throat. She was surprised to find she did want to spend time with Layla. She was funny and easygoing. She even got along with Avery. But the guilt over Riley felt like it was seeping out of Baby’s pores.
“Great, let’s go. Bye, ladies!” Layla called as she scooped up a woven hemp bag filled with cans of Kalik beers she’d obviously stolen from the guys’ villa. She grabbed Baby with her other arm, and the two of them walked companionably down the limestone steps toward the beach.
“I’m really glad we’re almost sisters,” Baby said shyly as they settled on a piece of driftwood and gazed toward the horizon. It was true. No matter what, this afternoon had to be a one-time thing. No matter what their relationship agreement was, it definitely didn’t apply to sisters.
But what about stepsisters?
“Me too. I’ve always wanted a little sister.” Layla grinned and cracked open two beers.
“I never thought about that.” Baby glanced at Layla’s profile. She was so pretty, with her curly hair piled high on the top of her head. She was obviously the type of girl who only did what made her happy and only spent time with people she liked. What would happen when she found out her little sister had made out with her boyfriend? Baby shivered at the thought.
“Cold?” Layla asked. She rooted through her hemp bag, pulled out an oversize purple hoodie, and offered it to Baby.
“I’m good. So, Layla? Is that from the Eric Clapton song?” Baby asked shyly.
“How’d you guess?” Layla rolled her eyes, as if that was what everyone asked her about her name. Baby winced in sympathy. She could understand. Everyone who met her assumed her name was from Dirty Dancing. Layla shrugged and took a sip of her beer.
Layla cleared her throat. “It’s funny. My dad’s always been so into music and art, but growing up, all he cared about was work. It’s only been in the past couple years that he’s seemed to really like his life. I always want to like my life, you know?”
“Me too,” Baby admitted. She pushed her small feet farther into the cool sand.
“That’s my first piece of big-sister advice.” Layla grinned, but her tone was serious. “In high school, I thought I knew who I was. And then in college, you learn so much about yourself. I mean, yeah, that sounds totally lame, but you sort of find out who you really are, away from your family and friends. Of course, I always had Riley….” Layla trailed off.
“Did that make going to college easier?” Baby asked finally, unsure of what to say that wouldn’t sound like it was prying.
How considerate.
“Yes and no. It’s hard because I sometimes wonder what it would have been like if I came to college totally single. I sometimes think I’m ready to take the plunge and dive out of the nest or whatever that saying is,” Layla confessed, looking into the horizon. The sun was slowly setting. Waves gently lapped at the shore.
Baby’s heartbeat quickened. Did that mean that Layla thought she and Riley were over? “When I moved to the city from Nantucket, I stayed with my boyfriend for a little,” Baby offered.
“What happened?”
“He cheated on me and we broke up,” Baby admitted, a shiver running up her spine. Thinking about it, wasn’t that exactly the same thing going on between Layla and Riley? Baby shivered, not liking where this conversation was going. After all, it was a totally different situation. Tom had been a pot-smoking high school boy. Riley was a sensitive artist. It was totally different.
Totally.
“What’s Oberlin like?” Baby asked, desperately trying to change the subject.
“It’s fine.” Layla sighed. “No, it’s great. I love my classes and my friends and my music, and it’s almost like everything I ever wanted. It’s just sometimes hard to grow up and do what you have to do,” she added cryptically.
Baby gazed out on the ocean. The sun was reflecting on the water, making it look like the water was on fire. Layla was sweet and sincere, and a large part of Baby wanted to tell her about what had happened on the beach with Riley this afternoon. But then she remembered Riley’s lopsided smile and the way he kissed her and his adorable Texas accent…
And the fact he calls himself a Player?
“Dude, I’m freaking starving!” Layla said, the mood broken. “I think the bar by the pool has some fried conch. Wanna share?” She smiled warmly at Baby.
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