What the Heart Needs

Chapter 2-2

Heaven finished dressing and made her way to the bottom of the staircase. She eyed the door, wishing Dylan would walk through it. The chance of that happening was slim. He’d only left twenty minutes ago, and it would take him at least that long to reach the store.

Brushing off the thought, she ran through her mental checklist of things to do before he returned or before their friends started arriving. The first item—coffee. The rich scent of ground beans drifted from the kitchen. Dylan had made a pot before he left. He knew she would need it.

As she passed the back door, the willow tree caught her attention. They should stand under the tree when they made their announcement. It would be symbolic to them, but no one else would understand why.

Once she grabbed a cup and poured coffee into it, her cell buzzed to life on the counter. She grasped the slender device and slid her finger across the screen, unlocking it. A text popped up from Dylan.

Can’t get you off my mind. Hated leaving you like that. I swear I’ll make it up to you. Love you.

Her cheeks warmed as she dismissed the message. He’d keep his promise.

Before her mind ran away with images of them in bed, she spotted notifications on her phone. It showed three missed calls from her mother.

Maybe it was time to call her back.

Before she brought up the keypad, she spotted another text message from a blocked number.

We need to talk. I have information that could save your life. You’re in danger.

Heaven checked the timestamp to see when she received the message. It came in at two-fifteen, the same time she and Dylan had returned to bed after her dizzy spell. She hoped it was a coincidence.

Her stomach knotted as she scrolled over the message once more. The word danger caused her pulse to race. Was someone playing a joke? Maybe Faith.

As her skin began crawling, her phone buzzed with another message. This one from Dylan.

Are you okay?

He’d sensed her worry. Great. When he found out what caused it, he would freak.

After everything that happened with Zeke, Dylan wasn’t comfortable leaving her by herself until a few days ago. Now, he would insist on being with her every second.

Had Zeke sent the message?

No. He’d have to know her number. Few people did, and those people would rather walk on hot coals than give Zeke the information.

Refusing to let something this silly impede their day, she sent Dylan a quick reply.

I’m fine. Just a little jumpy today. Nothing to worry about. I miss you.

She had enough time to see his response of miss you too when the doorbell rang.

Her heart pounded. No one had buzzed the gate to ask for entrance. After the strange text message, and now an unannounced visitor, what if….

Stop it.

She scolded herself. There was no sense in worrying Dylan when the person at the door could be Scott and Hope arriving early. Scott knew the code to Dylan’s gate. He wouldn’t need to be buzzed in.

As she crept into the hallway, she viewed the door, studying the silhouette through the frosted glass. A tall figure, around Dylan’s size, stood on the other side.

The instant she pulled the door open, air rushed into her lungs. A mixture of lavender, iris, and mint teased her nose, easing some of her fears. But when caramel eyes stared back at her, her stomach knotted.

“Hi, Layne.”

“Hey.” His gaze ran over her body, then he walked past her. “Is Dylan here?”

“No, he went into town.” She shut the door, thankful the visitor wasn’t Zeke, though she should have known better. Zeke wouldn’t be able to get past the gate. Layne could. If Scott had the passcode, Layne did too.

“When’s Dylan supposed to be back?” he asked.

She slipped past him, heading toward the kitchen. “I’d say in about thirty minutes. He said he wouldn’t be more than an hour.”

“Oh. Mind if I hang out until he gets here?”

“Suit yourself. You want some coffee?”

“No, I’ve already had some, but thanks,” he answered, stopping in the archway.

“I’m surprised my sister isn’t with you.” As she waited for him to respond, she swirled the spoon inside her cup, mixing the cream and sugar into a beautiful mocha color.

Layne remained quiet, but she sensed him watching her. When she shifted her focus from the cup to his face, he turned away, proving she was right.

He strolled toward the back door and gripped the frame. “She’s coming with Brooke and Jerry.”

“Why?”

“She spent the night there.”

His answer made Heaven’s head swim.

“Is everything okay?” she asked.

When he turned to her, his face revealed his conflicting emotions. “They had a girl’s night out and ended up closer to Malibu than here.”

Heaven sipped her coffee. Though she couldn’t prove it, she knew his answer was far from the truth. Not that he meant to lie. After twenty-one-years, she knew her sister better than Layne. Faith was hiding something.

Big surprise.

“So what’s up with this impromptu party, anyway?” Layne questioned. Judging by the sound of his voice, he no longer stood near the door. He’d walked closer. Much closer.

Her belly did somersaults. While she’d never felt threatened by him, something about him ate at her. One minute he acted like he hated her, the next minute those light brown eyes devoured her. Could it be what Dylan suggested? Was Layne trying to figure out if she wanted Dylan or his money?

If only they could tell Layne about their connection. Then again, he’d have to believe in the unbelievable.

“Why do you think something’s up?” she asked in a sharp tone. “Can’t Dylan and I enjoy a day with our friends?”

Layne’s palms shot up in front of him. “My bad. I meant no disrespect. Just curious if we’re celebrating something or getting together to bullshit.”

Guilt consumed her. She shouldn’t have been so harsh. Her mother taught her to be kind to everyone, no matter how rude a person was or how much she disliked them.

Layne hadn’t been rude. Though she didn’t understand the vibes he emitted, she didn’t dislike him. Strange as it was, he made her feel safe.

“I’m sorry.” She placed her cup back on the counter. “I didn’t get much sleep last night and I think it’s getting to me.”

For the first time since they’d met, Layne smiled at her. It was genuine, not the fake one he showed other people. This one revealed his pearly whites and a dimple she’d never noticed.

“I think we started off on the wrong foot.” He eased his elbow against the counter. “Please don’t hold my behavior with your sister against me. I swear I’m a nice guy.”

Yeah. He was a nice guy, with a s*x drive just as bad as Faith’s. Whatever state their relationship was in wouldn’t surprise Heaven. It would blow up in their face. She hoped Faith’s test came back negative. Neither of them needed a child. Not at this point in their lives.

“I know my sister, Layne. She’s not innocent by any means. Whatever happens between you two is none of my business. You’re Dylan’s friend and I’d like to consider you one of mine too.”

She watched as he extended his hand toward her. “Friends then?”

“Friends.” She clasped his hand to shake it, but touching his skin reminded her of a time she grabbed the oven rack without a mitt. She jerked her hand back, searching for burn marks.

“God, I’m sorry.” Layne reached for her again then stopped. “Did I shock you?”

“No, it felt like… It’s nothing.” She walked to the closet near the refrigerator, grabbing the step-stool.

Layne’s gaze weighed on her. She didn’t have to look at him to know her reaction to his handshake had bothered him. The tension between them said it all.

Her face heated. After jerking her hand back, then stammering over her own words, he must think she was nuts. Perhaps she was. You couldn’t get burned from touching someone.

“Do you need help with anything?” he asked.

“Um…” She set the stool in front of the fridge. “There’s tequila under the bar, in the den. Would you mind grabbing it?”

“Yeah, I know where it is. Be right back.”

Fire weaved through her as she watched Layne walk away. It originated in her hand, scorching every one of her nerves. When he disappeared from the kitchen, she glanced at her palm. The heat she’d felt when their skin touched still lingered. It didn’t hurt like a normal burn, but the sensation left her mind spinning.

What caused the heat, and why did her reaction hurt him?

Nothing about Layne made sense. If she wasted time trying to figure him out, she would accomplish nothing.

Once she climbed the stool, she reached for the cabinet where Dylan stored the blender. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t think of anything but Layne. Something about him weighed on her. She took a deep breath, waiting for her hand to stop tingling. Why bother looking at it? There wouldn’t be any burn marks. She’d already checked.

The tingling faded, yet a new sensation tickled her knuckles. Then again. When a large wolf spider came into view, she flung her hand and shrieked, casting the spider back inside the cabinet. Arachnophobia was no joke, but neither was standing on top of a stool. As soon as she stepped back, she lost her balance and braced herself for the fall.

Instead of hitting the ground, she collided with a wall of fire, or so she thought. When she peered up, Layne stared down at her. It wasn’t just the warmth of his gaze that made her heart race. It was his eyes.

They were identical to the ones in her vision.