LITMIR.BIZ

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Emma said, lightly tapping Alexis’s head for being difficult. “I’ll drive you to the hospital.”

      “No, I’m not going to the hospital,” she said stubbornly. “And you’re not missing out on your parents’ bash. Erik, please tell Emma that I’m a big girl and I can handle myself, even slightly injured.”

      “Lex, it’s fine, really. I don’t really want to drive alone anyway, so we’ll just do that movie marathon you mentioned. It’ll be fun.”

      “Erik can go with you,” Alexis volunteered, shocking Emma. She didn’t know why she’d offered her brother’s services, but it seemed to make sense. Erik was a total gentleman.

      “Oh! That’s not necessary. I’m sure he has plans,” Emma said, darting a look at Erik. “It’s fine, really. I don’t mind canceling. Lex really shouldn’t be alone with her foot the way it is.”

      Alexis sent an imploring look Erik’s way, C’mon, bro, don’t let me down!

      But it was Layton who spoke up first. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but... I could stay behind and help you out so your friend doesn’t feel like you’re being left behind all alone. It’s kind of my fault you’re all banged up anyway.”

      All eyes turned to Layton. Did Layton just volunteer to babysit her?

      Erik said, “That’s okay, man. You don’t have to do that. It’s not your fault. It was a misunderstanding all the way around.”

      “I know, but hell, I’ve got nothing to do today that didn’t include drinking a few beers and being a slug. Besides, I’ve got the training. If her ankle gets worse, I’ll bundle her up and force her to go to the ER.”

      “He has a point,” Erik slowly agreed, nodding. Then he looked to Emma. “How do you feel about that?”

      Alexis hesitated then looked to Erik and Emma, saying, “Well, if Erik agreed to go with Emma... I guess that would solve both problems. Are you okay with that, Em?” As soon as the words left her mouth, Emma started shaking her head, but Alexis wasn’t going to budge on this one. “Em, it’s dangerous on the roads. You know it’s stupid to drive alone and I refuse to let you cancel your plans. Erik will be the perfect gentleman, I can promise. He’s one of the good guys.”

      Emma’s cheeks flared as her gaze darted. “I know Erik is a good guy. I just don’t want him to have to do something he doesn’t want to do.”

      Erik chimed in. “I don’t mind,” he said. “And I agree with Lex. You shouldn’t drive alone in these conditions.”

      “The storm doesn’t seem to be letting up as I’d hoped,” Emma said, biting her lip with indecision. “Are you sure you don’t mind the drive?”

      “Not at all. We can catch up. Tell me what’s new in your life since you were just my bratty little sister’s friend.”

      “Bratty?” Alexis repeated with indignation. “Like you were the epitome of well behaved. Just because Mom and Dad were blind to your antics doesn’t mean everyone was. For your information, I told them that it was you who broke Mom’s ceramic elephant from Africa during that party you held your senior year.”

      “You little snitch. You promised you wouldn’t tell. I paid good hush money for that,” Erik said, grinning. “I should’ve threatened some kind of punishment for reneging on the deal.”

      “Good times,” Alexis said, laughing. “Okay, so is it settled? Erik will go with Emma, and Layton will stay with me?”

      They all shared looks and then nodded, agreeing. Emma heaved a breath and then said, “All right, if that’s the case, we need to get moving. If that storm is determined to dump another load of snow, I want to put some miles on the road before it happens.”

      “I can be ready to roll in fifteen minutes. That work for you?”

      Emma nodded and they both split off to finish getting ready.

      “And just like that, it was you and me,” Layton said.

      “Yeah...you know you don’t actually need to stay,” she said in a conspiratorial whisper. “I appreciate what you did. Emma wouldn’t have agreed without Erik and you volunteering. As soon as they take off, wait about a half hour and then you can take off, too.”

      He shook his head, grinning. “Sorry, no can do. My offer was legit. What kind of guy would I be if I left you to fend for yourself when you’re plainly injured?”

      That surprised her. He really wanted to stay? To be truthful, she’d thought he was just giving her backup. “Seriously?”

      “Yeah, I mean, I know it’s not actually my fault, but I do feel a bit responsible for your laid-up foot. The least I can do to assuage my guilt is to help you out.”

      Alexis didn’t know what to say to that. She paused for the tiniest of moments only because a hot guy was her personal weakness, and the last person she needed to mess around with was her brother’s best friend, but what were the odds that anything would happen between them over a weekend? She could be around a hot guy and keep her hands to herself. She smiled with determination—mostly to prove something to herself—and said, “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. I wasn’t lying when I said I had a movie marathon in mind.”

      “I like movies.”

      “Chick flicks.”

      “Movies with hot chicks? Sounds good to me.”

      She laughed at his devilish charm. Yeah, he was just the sort of guy who’d turn her head. But not this time.

      Nope.

      Layton Davis...it ain’t gonna happen.

      * * *

      TRUE TO HIS WORD, Erik was ready to go within twenty minutes. With Emma in her SUV waiting, Erik paused to give the obligatory big-brother speech, which Layton didn’t fault him for, but he was tempted to remind Erik that Alexis wasn’t a kid.

      “I know you’re a good guy or else I wouldn’t even think of leaving Alexis with you, but I feel I have to warn you about my sister. She’s...spirited.”

      Layton’s brow rose. “Spirited? Erik...horses are spirited. Be more specific.”

      “Hell, this is the most awkward conversation ever. Look, she has a thing for falling for the wrong guy and I don’t want to see her hurt. She’s been through enough. Her last boyfriend... Let’s just say I wasn’t a fan. So, yeah, what I’m trying to say is...don’t mess with her and for God’s sake, don’t let her mess with you. Keep things friendly, but not too friendly.”

      “C’mon, man, like you would have to ask. I’m not here to hook up with your sister. I’m just helping out.”

      The look of relief pinged Layton’s conscience. The fact was, Alexis was hot. She was a grade-A hot piece of ass if he were being honest, but he meant what he’d said. He wasn’t here to mess around with the woman.

      Erik clapped him on the shoulder and climbed into the car. “Help yourself to whatever’s in the fridge. I’ll call you when we get there.”

      “Drive safe,” Layton said, waving.

      The snow started to drift lazily from the sky, dissolving into tiny wet spots on his face almost instantly. He glanced at the sky. Hopefully, they made good time before the storm really started up again. Layton turned on his heel and returned to the house, where Alexis was already up and hopping around the kitchen.

      “What are you doing?”

      “Nothing. What are you doing?”

      “Preventing you from overdoing it. What happened to the movie marathon?”

      “There’s plenty of time for that. I want to make some kettle corn. Want some?”

      Kettle

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