Laiyla
I stand outside the doors to Aiden’s pub and draw a shaky breath. It’s six p.m., and the restaurant and bar are packed.
“You’ve got this,” KT says from my right.
“It’s all going to work out,” Chloe says from my left. “I’ve been discussing it with angels and the universe all day.”
I want to laugh, but I can’t. My stomach burns and my heart aches. I’m already not well loved around here, and this could very well seal my fate in the eyes of the townspeople. But I need to do it, for both Levi and myself. And I need to do it today, now. I’m not letting his beliefs linger. I’m not giving myself a chance to fuck this up again.
“Are you sure you don’t want us to come in with you?” KT asks.
I nod. “I’m sure. I have to do this on my own. He needs me to do this on my own. But thank you.”
The girls wrap me in dual hugs, I take one more breath, then hoist my packages, one in each hand, and use my elbow to push through the door. I turn toward the back of the restaurant, and spot Levi and Mitch in a booth. Levi’s back is to me, which gives me another second to cement my plan in my mind before I force my feet to move.
I spot Tina behind the bar. I have no doubt that she’ll have to stick her nose into this, but I’ll deal with her later.
I stop beside their booth, facing them both. Levi looks up, and I see all the heartache written on his face. It’s hard to believe he’s the same man I created bliss with last night.
“I have some business to discuss.” I say it in a way that draws attention.
Levi glances around as other conversations come to a stop and gazes veer toward his table. “Laiyla, let’s talk outside.”
He slides to the end of the booth, but I block him and place my packages on the floor. “No. I need to do it here.”
I ignore the look on his face. One that threatens anger and exposes the hurt I’ve caused him. I pull out my phone and dial my parents, put the phone on speaker, and lay it on the table.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“Hi, sweetheart,” my dad answers. “We just got home. Had a beautiful day in Santa Barbara. I wish you would have come.” Then he yells, “Honey, it’s Laiyla.”
“Well,” my mother says on the other end of the line. “You held out for a whole day. Are you ready for us to take over so you can come home?”
I stare at Levi when I speak. “That’s not why I’m calling. I’m calling to tell you that I’m not coming back. My life is here now. I put my apartment on the market.”
“Laiyla, for God’s sake—” my father says.
“I’m not done.” I make sure my tone is clearly commanding. “I’ve spent the first thirty years of my life doing what you’ve asked and trying to make you proud. Mom told me today that I need to start acting like an adult, so this is me acting as an adult. I’m not coming back, because I love it here. I’ve always loved it here. My time here may have only been a sliver of my life overall, but it was the most important time, not the least.”
By now, everyone in the restaurant has stopped talking, and they’re staring at us. The anger and hurt in Levi’s eyes fades, and that gives me the strength to go on.
“And I’ve reconnected with someone special. Someone who I’ve loved for over a decade. Someone I still love with all my heart. His name is Levi Asher, and he’s the contractor I’ve hired to work on the marina. He’s one of the most amazing men I’ve ever met, and I want to be with him. Here.”
Levi reaches out and takes my hand.
“Laiyla.” My mother’s tone is punitive. “You are—”
“No, Mom. You’re not going to talk to me like that anymore. I deserve better. I love you both, but you are no longer controlling or influencing my decisions. When you can accept my decision, we can talk again, but not until then. Goodbye.”
When I disconnect the call, I’m shaking. An eruption of applause from the other customers startles me. Levi tries to stand, but I push on his shoulder to keep him in place. “I’m not done.”
I dial another number, and Michael answers with the easy good nature I’ve become so fond of. “Girl,” he says, “I was just going to call you. My cousin is getting married, and I need a date for the wedding so my parents stay off my back. Help a friend out?”
“I’m sorry, Michael, I can’t be your stand-in anymore. I’m staying in Wildfire. I’m not coming back to LA.”
“What?” Then he says, “Oh, it’s that guy, isn’t it? The one you told me about.”
“It is.”