Layer by Layer (Riggings Brothers 1)

“How are you feeling?”

“Good. No more contractions, but I can feel my ass getting larger by the second. It’s hard for me to just sit around.”

I chuckle. “I doubt that, but I understand. Sitting all day has got to be hard. It will all be worth it though, right?”

“Yes.” Her eyes light up. “Helping you has been a lifesaver for me. It gives me something to focus on. Not that I’m going to need to help you for much longer. You’re a quick study,” she says as we enter the dining room.

“What are you studying?” Jase asks.

“Royce,” I blurt. Embarrassment washes over me. What is it about this guy that has me putting my foot in my mouth? “I mean Riggins Enterprises. Sam was talking about our training sessions,” I quickly explain.

“She’s pretty much a sponge,” Sam chimes in. “Anything I tell her, she retains, and she’s not going to need me much longer.”

“You seem sad about that,” Jase comments.

What would it be like to be with a man so in tune with my emotions?

“I am. I’ve enjoyed getting to know her, and the training helps the long days pass by.” She turns her gaze from her husband to me. “It’s a good thing we’re friends. Otherwise, I’d never get to talk to you once you’re done.”

“I’ll keep in touch,” I assure her. Other than Hadley, I don’t have any close friends. I worked sixty hours a week for no extra pay right out of college. That didn’t leave much time for going out and socializing. The more I think about it, the more I can’t believe I put up with that position for as long as I did. I guess everything happens for a reason, and it led me here. Having dinner in Jase freaking Andrews’ house, becoming close friends with his fiancée, and rubbing elbows with the Riggins brothers… how is this my life?

“I appreciate you helping out,” Royce speaks up.

“Now, maybe you can quit giving Jase such a hard time.” Sam gives him a pointed look.

“Nope.” Royce grabs the bottle of salad dressing and smothers his salad. “That’s what he gets for stealing you from me.”

“She’s mine. She’s always been mine,” Jase says.

“She was mine first.” Royce grins.

“Riggins,” Jase growls, causing Royce to bust out in laughter. It’s a deep throaty sound that I feel deep in my gut. It’s a sound I’ve never heard from him, but one I would be happy to hear every single day.

“Enough, you two.” Sam rolls her eyes, but the smile on her lips tells me she’s enjoying the show as much as I am. Well, maybe not as much as I am. I’m sure she’s not rubbing her thighs together at the sound of her former-boss’s laughter. That’s just me.

“Thank you for having me,” I tell Sam.

“I need girl time. My best friend, Carrie, moved to San Francisco over a year ago. I’ve missed this.”

“I’m similar,” I say, accepting the basket of breadsticks from her. “I have my best friend, Hadley, but she’s really it. I worked so much after graduating from college, and there weren’t really many opportunities to go out and be social. When I wasn’t at work, I was doing things around the house or sleeping.” I chuckle. “I live such a wild life.”

“We need to have a girls’ night. You can invite Hadley,” Sam says, her eyes wide with excitement. “I’ll call Jase’s sister, Logan, and invite her and a few of her friends too. It’ll be fun.”

“No girls’ night for you,” Jase chimes in. “Bed rest, remember?”

She turns and sticks her tongue out at him. “Fine,” she says, turning back to me. “Girls’ night in, but it could still be fun. What do you say?”

“Sure. Just let me know when, and I’ll call Hadley and set something up.”

“Next weekend. Here. We’ll have snacks and wine. Just because I can’t drink doesn’t mean the two of you can’t. I can live through you.”

“Sounds good to me. I’ll call Hadley. I’m sure she’s in.” I busy myself eating my salad, lasagna, and breadstick. The food is delicious, and I keep the small talk going with Sam so I can avoid Royce. I feel his eyes on me, but then again, maybe that’s just my imagination. I’m not brave enough to look. No matter how bad I want to. I need to just get through this dinner, thank them for having me, and slip out the door.Chapter 8RoyceShe’s avoiding me. I know because I keep glancing over at her. No matter how hard I try not to, my eyes betray me and wander to her. To Sawyer. It pisses me off, and that’s an issue. It shouldn’t matter that she’s not looking my way. I’m even more pissed at the fact that I care. I shouldn’t care.

“Royce.”

Turning my head to the sound of my name, I see Sam is staring at me expectantly. “I asked how things were going in Idaho? Grant’s back, I hear.”