Chapter Four
After installing the necessary equipment in her cottage, Chase had waited for Layla to return. But when she didn't show up for over an hour past finishing the work, he'd gone home to sleep.
And even though the next morning he'd sent a text message asking Layla when she'd like him to come over and explain how the equipment worked, he still hadn't heard back several days later.
She had to be avoiding him.
His dragon spoke up. She's always busy. She'll contact us when she's ready.
Such patience from you is a surprise, given how you acted a few nights ago.
It's easier to be patient when Layla isn't right in front of us. Her scent is addicting and makes rational thought go to the wayside.
Which means I'll have to be the adult between the two of us when we finally do see her again.
His beast huffed. I'm an adult, too. And more often than you are, as a matter of fact.
Before Chase could reply, he reached his mum's cottage. It was the weekly dinner night he and his brother—and now Grant's mate, too—always attended if possible.
Not wanting his brother to notice something was on his mind, Chase carefully packed away thoughts of Layla. Maybe the dinner was just what he needed to forget about the female for a wee while. After all, it was fun to flirt with his sister-in-law to rile up his older brother. Grant's temper didn't emerge often, but Chase was one of the few who could tempt it out, along with Grant's mate, Faye.
So when he and Faye teamed up against Grant, it was heaven to a younger sibling trying to irritate the older one.
As usual, the front door was unlocked, and he entered the old stone cottage his mother had moved to a little over a year ago. He'd barely taken two steps inside when he heard a familiar female voice, one that wasn't his mother's but Layla's. "I really shouldn't stay, Gillian. I just wanted to stop by and give you the new prescription and check on your headaches. It's my job and pleasure to do it. There's no need to thank me with anything."
His mother's soft voice came down the hall. "It's no bother, lass. I always make quite a bit of food to feed my sons and pregnant daughter-in-law. You could probably feed a small army with all I made and still have leftovers. One more mouth wouldn't make a difference."
On the one hand, Chase couldn't help but smile. Ever since his mother had been spending time with George MacLeod—Arabella's father and an unattached male who had recently moved to Lochguard—she'd been happier and less shy. However, the change meant his mum was currently inviting Chase's true mate to stay for dinner.
If his mum succeeded and Chase had to sit near Layla all evening, then Grant would probably notice the truth rather quickly. His brother was too bloody observant.
And the last thing Chase wanted was to hear advice and caution from his brother. As much as he loved Grant, he and Chase were two very different people, which meant it wasn't a surprise that their true mates were as well. What had worked with Faye wouldn't work with Layla.
He dashed toward the kitchen, but his brother and sister-in-law entered the front door before he could take more than a few steps. Grant's mate, Faye, said, "Och, Chase, you're here already. Come give your favorite sister a hug."
Grant sighed. "You're the only sister he has, and only through mating."
Faye snorted. "I think you've been hanging around with my brothers too much. That sounds like something Fergus would say."
Pasting a smile on his face, Chase turned toward Faye and Grant.
Faye was almost always smiling and full of positive energy. Even though her presence meant he couldn't stop his mother from convincing Layla to stay for dinner, he couldn't be upset with his sister-in-law. If she knew the truth about Layla, she'd no doubt do everything in her power to help him, and then some.
Which would spell trouble before long, despite her good intentions.
After giving her a quick hug, he glanced at his brother. "I'm surprised you're here after me, Mr. Punctual."
Grant grunted, and Faye laughed before saying, "It's my fault. He was, er, helping me with something."
Given how Faye's cheeks flushed, Chase had a feeling he knew what they'd been doing. And very little clothing would've been involved.
His dragon spoke up. We could be doing that soon with Layla, too, if you only told her the truth.
Right, and send her running for the hills straight after.
Faye gently shoved Chase down the hall. "Come on, let's go. I'm starving."
"I'd like to tease you about feeding two souls, but you ate this much even before you were pregnant," Chase stated.