Layla took in a deep breath as she stared at the suitcase that Mrs. Braxton had loaned her. After getting back from the hospital and spending a few more days with James’s family, it was time to head back to New York.
Layla was sad. Sad to leave James’s family that was rapidly becoming her own. Sad to get back to the hustle and bustle of city life. And sad because there was so much about Honey Grove she was going to miss.
So much so that it was getting harder and harder to slip her clothes into the half-full suitcase.
Two arms wrapped around her waist. Layla giggled as James pulled her against him.
At least she had James. He was going with her, and if she were honest with herself, he was the one person she cared about being around.
“How’s it going, my lovely?” he asked as he buried his face into her neck.
Butterflies took flight in her stomach as she closed her eyes and allowed every sense, every nerve ending, to absorb James Braxton.
She tried not to protest when he pulled back. Taking this moment to turn around, Layla met his gaze as she stared up at him. “You have to stop doing that,” she said. Her voice was low and husky.
James raised his eyebrows. “Doing what?” He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her nose. Then he kissed a trail across her cheek to her earlobe and then started making his way down her neck.
Layla leaned back, losing herself in how incredible it felt to be held by James. To be kissed by him.
In just a few short days, she’d fallen so incredibly in love with him that she couldn’t imagine her life without him. He was hers and she was his.
James laughed, breaking the tension in the room. He pulled back and pushed his hands through his hair. “And that’s where I’m going to stop,” he said, giving her a wink and then motioning toward the suitcase. “Almost done, my love?”
Layla glared at him and then turned to her suitcase. She hated the way he teased her. “Yes. Just a few more pieces.”
James wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. He pressed his lips to the top of her head and sighed. “I’m sad to leave, but I’m grateful I get to go back with you.”
Layla nodded as her hand instinctively rested on her stomach. “Maybe we can come back…permanently?”
James glanced down at her. “Whoa. Have you turned into a Honey Grove girl?”
Layla shrugged. “Maybe?”
James turned until he was facing her, cupped both of her cheeks with his hands and gently pressed his lips to hers. Then he pulled back. “That’s probably the sexiest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
Layla widened her eyes. “Really? I’m sure I could think of sexier.”
James pressed his finger to her lips. “Later, my love. Once there’s a ring on that finger you can tell me everything you’ve ever wanted to say.”
He fiddled with the fourth finger on her left hand.
“Really?” she asked with her voice full of hope.
James nodded and then his expression softened. “We need to tell Juan first. About you and me. And the baby. Then we can make it official.”
Layla’s stomach twisted as she nodded. She knew that was something she needed to face. She just wasn’t sure she was strong enough. “I know,” she whispered.
James leaned in and rested his forehead on hers. “It’s only right. But I’ll be here with you.”
Layla chewed her lip as she nodded. “I know. And I’m grateful for that.”
James pulled her close and pressed his lips to her forehead. Then he sighed as he leaned back and smiled. “Is I wrong that I enjoyed that you didn’t fight me when I said it was official?”
Layla smiled. She couldn’t help the sheer joy she felt as James’s words settled around her. “Are you sure you want to board this crazy train?” she asked as she stepped back and waved her hand toward her body.
James studied her and then smiled. “How about this crazy train and I make a life in Honey Grove? Dad has a place for me in the construction business, and this town is in dire need of a bridal shop.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
Layla dropped her jaw. “Shut up. Seriously? You think?” Her heart began to race as she thought about it. Could it be true? Was this really her life?
James pulled her close, but Layla took it one step further. She leapt into his arms. Thankfully, James seemed to anticipate what she was going to do and caught her. Layla wrapped her legs around his waist. Her lips found his, and she kissed him with as much passion as she could muster.
James pulled back to study her. “Is that a yes?”
Layla nodded her head vigorously. “That’s a yes times infinity.”
James slowly set her down and then brought his hands back up to her face. He pressed his lips to hers again, this time gentler.
He pulled back and held her gaze. “I love you, Layla.”
Layla couldn’t help the smile that spread across her lips. “I love you too, James Braxton.”