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Layla co at her pretty lips “My aunt texted I need to get back to Orlando”

“Well, that sucks” A frown of s at my lips, but I hold it back “Can I take you back to Kelly’s house to get your car?”

Layla nods and I slide my newly elance The trashcan is less than two feet to iving him a hard time

I meet Layla at the checkout counter and drop a five dollar bill in the tip jar “Later, Cooper”

Layla waves goodbye and alk toup residence between her brows, so heavily on her mind

“Everything okay?” I ask, opening the passenger door for her

She looks up at me briefly, smiles, and nods I don’t push the subject Wo until they’re ready

Luke Combs’ latest album fills the silence on the ride to Kelly’s house Layla stares out the isting her phone between her fingers until we pull into Kelly’s neighborhood I put the truck in park in the drivehile Layla leans forward and turns down the radio “Thank you for today, Josh I had a great time”

I s off those lips “Think we can do it again next weekend?”

“I… uain until the whites of her knuckles show “I’ back to Peach Tree on Monday Tomorrow is ot to help with, so…”

It feels like the wind has been knocked out of ive Layla reason to talk to ain Now, I’ve only got minutes “Can I call you sometime?”

Layla nods and I hand my phone over to her She types in her number then presses a quick kiss on my cheek “Bye, Josh”

5 Months Later

“Layla?” someone asks from behind me

My naister, because everyone I’ve worked with this su sure each item on the checklist on my clipboard is co to Orlando in May