I threw my head back and laughed. “Fucker…you just described your damn fiancée! I don’t think Jen would appreciate me moving in on her. ”
Mike laughed and shook his head. “I’m just saying, please don’t rush into anything with Olivia. Get through school, we’ll finish up the house, and then let’s get our place up and running full speed. Keep your heart open, Layton. Keep it open for that one girl who’s going to wake up something deep down inside of you. ”
I pulled out my cell phone and sent a text to Whitley.
Layton: It’s close to six. Y’all hungry?
Whitley: Yes! Done shopping, and I’m starving!
I sent her the address to where we were going to have dinner.
“This is where you’re taking them? Holy shit, dude. You do know that you’ve got thousands of dollars in your bank account, right?”
I turned around and looked at my favorite food trailer in Austin—Honky Tonk Hot Dogs.
“What? It’s a must to eat at a food trailer when you come to Austin. They’ll love it. ”
“They’re from New York! Aren’t fucking food trailers all over the place there?”
I smiled as I shook my head and pulled out my ringing cell phone. “Hello?”
“Um…Layton, it’s Whitley. I don’t think you gave me the right address. The place where we are walking up to is like a food trailer park. ”
I laughed as I looked up and saw them both girls walking toward us. Courtney had a huge smile on her face and was snapping pictures with her cell phone.
“It certainly looks like Courtney likes it,” I said with a laugh.
The moment I saw the smile spread across Whitley’s face, my heart started jumping around in my chest.
Why would anyone ever hurt such a beautiful soul?
I had to shake the image of her being hurt out of my head. I needed to push it back and wait until she was ready to tell me on her own.
Her eyes caught mine, and my smile grew bigger.
“I see you,” she said with a giggle.
“I saw you first. ” I pulled my cell phone away and hit End.
When I looked over at Reed, he had his mouth hanging open.
“What in the hell is wrong with you?” I asked him.
He slowly shook his head. “Nothing. ”
“Honky Tonk Hot Dogs? This is where we’re having dinner?” Whitley laughed.
I smiled as I leaned in and kissed her and then Courtney on their cheeks.
“Best hot dogs you’ll ever have. I know how to treat the ladies,” I said with a wink.
“Hey, Whitley, Courtney,” Reed said as he smiled at Whitley, barely looking at Courtney.
“Hey, Reed!” Whitley said.
Courtney smiled and just nodded.
“I’m starving. What should I order?” Whitley hooked her arm through mine, and we made our way up to the trailer.