Piece by Piece (Riggins Brothers 2)

“Yet, you fed the homeless men, who looked like a group of thugs that sat outside on the stoop of your building.”

She shrugs. “They needed it, and it was like they looked out for me. They scared me at first, but as time went on, they looked out for me. It was nice knowing there was someone around if I needed them.”

“That’s me. I want to be that someone.”

“What is your family going to say? I’ve never met them, and you what? Just want me to move in with you? Come on, Owen. Think about what you’re asking.”

“I have thought about it. I know what I want. You’ve met Royce and Sawyer, and the others will love you just as much as we do. In fact, you get to meet them today at Sunday dinner.”

“Love me?” she croaks.

“My sweet, Layla. My heart is yours. Piece by piece, you’ve stolen it from me, and I never want it back.”

“S-Sunday dinner?” she croaks.

I’m overwhelming her and didn’t want to do that, but that’s just how this conversation happened to turn out. “My parents have Sunday dinner at their place every week. Those who can make it do. Now we’re all living in town, it’s very rare that any of us miss.”

“I can’t meet your family today.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m me.” She slaps her hand against her chest. “They want better for you than me. I know they will.”

“You’re wrong. What they want is for me to be happy. They want me to find someone to live my life with and to give them grandchildren.” I chuckle. It’s as if I can hear my mother now asking when she’s going to get grandkids. Royce is the oldest at thirty-two, and now that he’s with Sawyer, the pressure is on. I have no doubts when she meets my Layla, she’s going to be asking me… us too.

“I don’t know.”

“Come with me today. Meet them. Let them prove to you that your background has no bearing on who you are to me. You can’t help the circumstances of which you were raised. That’s not who you are, that’s who your mother was. You’re not her, Layla.” I lean in and kiss the corner of her mouth. “Please, come with me?”

“And the apartment?”

“Think about it. In the meantime, I want you here with me in my home, in my bed. I want it to be our home and our bed.”

“This is a lot. I mean, I know you said you wanted to try, but living together? Owen, that’s a huge step.”

“I know it is, but it’s one I want to take with you.”

“I’ll go to dinner.” I start to thank her, but she holds her index finger to my lips. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you. Once they find out about my family….” Her voice trails off.

“They’re going to welcome you into ours. Trust me, Lay. Please.”

She nods. “That’s what I’m doing. That’s why I’m here. I do trust you, Owen.”

“That’s my girl,” I say, kissing her softly. “Now, let’s make some breakfast.” I pull her to the kitchen and point to the island for her to sit while I make us scrambled eggs and toast. Not exactly gourmet, but I make a mean scrambled egg.

“Oh, before I forget.” I reach into the drawer in the kitchen and retrieve the new cell phone I bought her. “This is for you.”

“You bought me a cell phone?” she asks in disbelief.

“I added you to my plan. It was nothing.”

“Owen—” She starts, and I pin her with a look that tells her I don’t want to hear it.

“I like taking care of you, Layla. I’ll feel better knowing you have a phone where you can reach me if you need to. I added the number of all of my brothers, my parents, and Sawyer as well. It’s yours. Use it to stay in touch with Ronnie and Linda.”

Tears well in her eyes. “Thank you, Owen. I’ll repay you.”

“You being here, that’s all I need.”* * *“Wow,” Layla breathes as we pull up to my parents’ place a few hours later. I try to see my childhood home through her eyes.

“Just a house, babe,” I say, trying to ease her fears. Speaking of fears, my hands are sweating, and by the way my heart seems to be beating at a rapid pace in my chest, I’m a little bit nervous myself. I have no reason to be. This is my family, and I know they will love Layla. There isn’t anything not to love about her. However, this is a first for me. I’ve never walked through the front door with a girl on my arm. Not one that I wanted to declare is mine.

This is not only a first for her but a first for me. That’s when it hits me. It’s not nerves that are making my hands sweat or my heart race. It’s excitement. The pieces are all starting to fall together. It’s Layla, and the idea of us, here together. Not just here but our future. The one that I want for us more than I want to take my next breath.