For Twice In My Life by Annette Christie

Author:Annette Christie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Published: 2023-02-21T00:00:00+00:00

After being in a confined space with multiple Rockfords, Layla luxuriated in the peace of Ian’s car. Traffic was light, the sun had set, and Ian had turned on a sexy, bluesy playlist she’d made for him for their one-year anniversary.

He hummed along to the music, and she alternated staring at his profile, illuminated by the moon, and watching buildings and trees flash by behind him. The soundtrack took her right back to their celebration. “Remember the hotel we stayed at for our anniversary?”

“In Portland?” He smiled. “Yeah. I wanted to sightsee, but you spent nearly the entire weekend in the bathtub.”

“You’ve seen my shower-bath combo. The water pressure is permanently set to drizzle, and I have yet to find a plug the right size for my drain. If I want a bath, I have to shove a washcloth down there and hope for the best. Having a giant tub was a gift.”

“Speaking of anniversaries, I was thinking we should have my parents’ party at that restaurant I showed you, in Rosario?” Ian glanced at her, then returned his attention to the road.

Layla thought back to the picturesque marina view. “That’s perfect. Especially knowing that’s where they told you and your brother about their engagement.”

“I think so too.”

The music swelled and they drove for a bit in silence, listening. “Do you hate your apartment that much?” Ian eventually asked.

Layla considered his question. She’d loved it once. The way it’d offered her independence from her parents and from the chaos of living in the loft with Pearl. She’d loved adopting Deano and setting up her record player; she felt like the studio, despite or maybe because of the fact that it was small, was a safe harbor. “No. I just mean I don’t want to live there forever.”

“Don’t want to settle down and raise kids there?” Ian’s voice was teasing.

“Deano’s not great at sharing the space,” she said, not ready to even joke about kids.

“Speaking of your cat, is he mad at me?”

Layla burst out laughing. “You sound so concerned!”

“I am!” Ian’s tone was comically sincere, and she laughed harder. “He used to love me. Okay, maybe love is a strong word, but he definitely tolerated me. Lately he’s been…”

“Cold? Distant?” Layla patted his arm. “Do you want to ask him to go to couples counseling?”

“Sort of.” Ian faux pouted. “Last night while we were watching that movie, I tried to pet him and I swear he gave me a dirty look.”

“Maybe his problem wasn’t with you so much as a movie about football.”

“Layla. Any Given Sunday is about so much more than football.”

“Even so, Deano really prefers classic cinema with strong romantic plots. Besides, all his looks are dirty looks,” Layla pointed out. She leaned in gravely. “The magic between you and my cat isn’t gone, just dimmed. Maybe you need to try a little harder with him. Bring him a treat now and again. Make him feel special.”

She expected Ian to keep laughing. Instead, he grew serious and said, “Winning over your cat’s probably easier than winning over my brother.

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