Not bothering greeting her back, I swim over to the other side of the pool where Lake and Mason are leaning against the edge, looking just as annoyed as I feel by the intrusion.
When I reach them, Lake asks, “Are we leaving?”
“Might as well,” I answer, and wait for Mason and Lake to get out before I grab hold of the railing so I can take the stairs out of the water.
My eyes land on Layla as Lake throws me a towel which falls to the floor. Layla’s eyes sweep over my body and when her tongue darts out to wet her lips, a smirk forms on my face. That’s definitely a look of interest.
When her eyes meet mine, and she sees that I caught her staring, she clears her throat and quickly turns her head to Lake. “Looking good, Lake.”
My eyebrow lifts and I glance between Lake and Layla. “You’re welcome to look whenever you want,” Lake teases.
“Yeah, let us know what times you’ll be here, and we’ll work it into our schedules,” Kingsley jokes.
“We already have a fan club,” Mason comments and then throws the damp towel at Kingsley.
She quickly slaps it away. “Oh, I didn’t even see you there.”
“Why are you here again?” Mason asks, taking a step toward Kingsley.
“Uhm… We were walking by and saw you through the windows. I just want to drop off the books Falcon asked for,” Layla answers quickly, and stepping between Kingsley and Mason, she holds the books out to me. “Here you go.”
I walk toward her, and when her eyes drop to my chest, they widen slightly before she glances away. I take the books from her and wait for her to look up. When she finally gives in, and her eyes meet mine, a blush creeps up her neck.
Did she hear the rumors? Is that why she’s uncomfortable?
“I assume you heard the rumors?” I ask.
“Rumors?” Mason asks.
“I didn’t hear anything,” Lake mentions.
“Yeah, and you need to do something about it, Falcon,” Kingsley says. “Layla is getting death glares from the so-called fan club.” She rolls her eyes before they land on Mason with a glare.
“No, it’s fine. They’re just rumors. It’s nothing to worry about.” Layla smiles, and her eyes shift down to my chest before jumping back to my face as she begins to ramble, “Crap, not that I’m saying it’s nothing to date you. I mean, who wouldn’t want to date you.” The blush reaches her cheeks, and she begins to fidget as panic flashes over her face. “Shit, that came out wrong.” She points to the exit and begins to move backward. “I’m just going to go now. You have your books. We’re good. Enjoy the swim.” Her eyes drop to my chest again. “Or the drying off. Enjoy whatever you’re going to do now.” She swings around and quickly walks to the exit while shaking her head.
“Wow, she just buried herself alive there,” Mason says then begins to laugh. “I’d pay to see that again.”
“Mason, this is why people say you’re an asshole,” Kingsley comments drily.
“Got to live up to the title,” he quips back at her just before she leaves to follow Layla.
“You’re all going to drive me to alcohol,” Lake grumbles as he starts to walk away.
I pick up the towel and wrap it around my waist, then grab my shirt and pull it over my head. “Wait up.” I fall into step next to Lake, then ask, “Is there something going on between you and Layla?”
Lake frowns and gives me a look which clearly asks if I’ve lost my mind. “Why would you think that? You remember I’m getting engaged next summer?”
“You’re friendly with her,” I say because thinking about it, I don’t have much to base my suspicion on.
“I’m friendly with everyone. Also, let’s not forget the rumor on campus is about you and Layla.”
“True. Just thought I’d ask.” I run a hand through my hair as we cross the street to get to The Hope Diamond.
Walking into the building, Lake gestures toward Layla’s closed door. “The real question is whether it’s a rumor or a fact?”
“What? Layla and me?” I let out a burst of laughter and press the button for the elevator. “Yeah, right.”
The doors open, and we step inside. As they slide shut, Lake says, “When are you going to admit you like her?”
“I don’t.”
“You do.”
“Lake.”
“Falcon.” He glances at me and sighs. “You like Layla. I’ve known you since diapers, and you wouldn’t be bothered about a girl even if she laid dying at your feet. The way you were with her the other night, it’s clear you care about her.”
The doors open just in time, and trying to ignore Lake’s words, I stalk down the hallway, so I can get to the privacy of my room.
‘It’s clear you care about her.’