Layla frowned. “You saw the master bath didn’t you? The huge tub? The huge mirror?”
“Ok, on to the next. You want to see the short sale again? The six bedroom?”
“Yes. I think Layla needs to see that one.”
They followed Beth to the house on Deep Dell. He had narrowed his favorites to three and he wanted Layla to see them. It was a short drive to the Mediterranean house that he thought could be home. “I really want your opinion on this. It’s bigger than the last. It was built in 2005 so it doesn’t need as much work. In fact, I could move right into this one.”
Layla wandered through each of the six bedrooms. All of them had an in suite bathroom. The four car garage made more sense to her since she had already seen two cars and a bike and that wasn’t including whatever Sophie was driving these days. The first floor was almost all stone. Was it marble? The large winding staircase made her gasp. She sat down on the floor of the theater room and shook her head. Everything was open and the view was gorgeous. The pool came off the living room and was surrounded by a large deck that overlooked LA. Tucked away on the third floor was one bedroom, with a private balcony and bathroom. She smiled.
She joined Mark in the kitchen, where he was sitting on the counter looking over some mortgage forms. “How much is this? And can he afford it?”
Beth smiled at her. “Yes he can. It’s a short sale. It’s been on the market for 100 days. They are asking 2.4 million. Payments will be approximately $9,000 a month depending on how much he wants to put down.”
“Hey pretty boy,” Layla laughed as he bit his lip looking at his paperwork. “I think we can stop looking. She will love this.”
Mark looked up and smiled. “Yeah?”
“On one condition. That little room on the third floor?”
“Yes?” Mark jumped off the counter and put his arm around her to lead her out.
“Well, if I wanted to move here, could I stay in that room?”
“I would love it if you stayed in that room.” He hugged her close and looked at Beth. “Ok. Let’s make an offer.”
Chapter 14
Layla stood at the coffee pot willing the drips to come faster. The trip had provided little relaxation with Mark’s obsessive jam packed schedule. Tonight, they would have company for dinner. But today, she planned on making Mark take her shopping and then spending half the day basking in the late afternoon sun. A light rasp on the door drew her from her caffeine meditation. She checked the clock. 6:30 AM.
Shuffling to the door in her pajama pants and fitted tank top, she looked out the peephole and smiled. Adonis number two was at the door.
“Can I help you?” Layla smiled as she met his eyes.
Caleb ran his eyes down the beautiful woman at the door. He didn’t even try to hide his appreciation of her scant clothing. He pushed past her into the living room and crossed his arms. “Where is Moretti?”
“Well, come in.” Layla huffed and mimicked his stance. “Do you realize how early it is?”
“Well, it’s too early for Mark to have company, that’s for sure. Did you spend the night? Where the hell is he?”
Layla took a step forward and ran her finger down his tie and moaned. “Aren’t you a regular Prince Charming? Before you start demanding answers, I have a question of my own. Who the hell are you?” She licked her lips.
Caleb almost swallowed his tongue. She was beautiful with her sleepy eyes and her bare face. Her dark hair was tied into a loose knot on the top of her head. He stuttered. “I’m Caleb. I am looking for Mark. Do you or do you not know where he is?”
With a big sigh, Layla walked toward the hallway and yelled. “Pretty Boy. Get up. You have company. Some really charming and not at all intrusive guy named Caleb.” She waited at the end of hall. “Wow. Even without much sleep, you are pretty. Want some coffee?”
Caleb heard Mark mumble before he walked into the living room. His hair was unruly and he wore nothing but a pair of jeans with the top button undone. Caleb fisted his hands and tried to calm his breathing. He couldn’t believe his own eyes.
“What’s up C? Everything ok?” Mark’s face fell and he stopped in his tracks.
Clearing his throat, Caleb took a step forward. “I came to ask you a question but it’s been answered so I am done here.” Turning to leave, Mark grabbed his arm and Caleb tensed.
“Caleb. Why are you here? Did something happen?” Mark’s voice grew louder and drew Layla from the kitchen. Caleb turned slowly, meeting Mark’s eyes. Anger and aggression flared. Was that hated? Mark’s thoughts stopped abruptly.
Well.
Shit.
The punch was square in the jaw and right on target. Mark’s eyes filled with stars as he stumbled backward and onto his ass. His world went dark, then just as fast, blurred back into focus. He rubbed his jaw and stared at Caleb.
“What the hell?” Layla ran into the living room to kneel by Mark. She shot Caleb the death stare. “You need to get the hell out of here.”
“With pleasure.” Caleb slammed the door shut and walked into the waiting elevator.
Mark stood and headed to the kitchen for some ice. He was silent. After grabbing his ice pack, he spit a mouth full of blood into the sink and rinsed his mouth. The bruise was already starting and his head throbbed. He glanced at Layla who stood shocked in the doorway.
“What the hell was that?” Her arms were crossed over her chest and her eyebrows drawn in a straight line. “I’m so sorry I let him in here. Who is he?”
“That, Layla, is my best friend.” Mark spit another mouthful of blood into the kitchen sink.
“Well, holy crap. If that’s your best friend, I guess I need to wear of a suit of armor tonight to meet your sister.”
“Welcome to LA.” Mark walked back into his bedroom and shut the door.
****
Where was she? Mark had been texting Sophie all day with no response. His three voicemails had gone unanswered and now he was starting to worry. The incident this morning weighed heavily on his mind but he refused to contact him. He was finished with Caleb’s emotional warfare. Whatever was going on, Caleb was on his own to figure it out.
Today had been a wasted day. His head pounded. He had tried to take Layla shopping on Rodeo drive but after just three stores, he was forced to give up. He had bought her a silver charm bracelet and a purple gown to wear to the wedding. Buttering up the sister was priority number one. But today, it took the backburner to the war raging in his skull.
The bruise on his face spread the entire right side of his jaw. What a beautiful souvenir from his best friend. The wedding was in three days and the pictures would be a reminder forever. He sighed as he grabbed his towel and headed up to meet Layla at the rooftop pool. Molly and Rich would be here shortly for a last minute cookout before their lives spun out of control.
Layla was swimming laps, her bikini leaving very little to the imagination. Mark smiled at the knowledge that he could look at a beautiful woman and feel nothing. His heart swelled with pride at the thought of Sophie being his wife. “Looking good LB.”
She splashed him as he started the grill and he laughed. “Do you know your initials are MMMMM? Very appropriate.” Mark belly laughed as Layla blushed.
“Markie!” A sweet little squeal drew both their heads in the direction of the stairs. She stopped cold when she saw Layla in the pool. “Who’s this?”
Layla climbed out of the pool and smiled. Rich’s eyes followed her every move and there was no hiding the appreciation on his face. “Hi Molly. I’m Layla. Barringer. Sophie’s sister.”
Molly’s jaw dropped and Mark laughed. “It’s OK Molls. You can say hi. She won’t bite.”
“Oh my gosh. It is so nice to meet you!” Molly pulled Layla in for a hug. “Does Sophie know you are here?”
“Down boy.” Mark slapped his hand onto Rich’s back. “Stick that tongue back in your mouth. That’s my future sister in law you’re ogling.”
Molly just shook her head. “I’m sorry you have to be surrounded by cavemen but welcome to my hell.”
“I am here to surprise my sister. But it has been nice to hang with Mr. Eye Candy for a couple days. It is really nice to meet you girl I have heard so much about you from Sophie and I was hoping I would get to meet you. I didn’t expect all the house hunting and secret shopping. But I am glad I am here.”
“Me too. Now come on and tell me about the ring.” Molly took Layla’s hand and led her to the lounge chairs. “And the house. I can’t believe my brother bought a house in LA.”
Mark continued to cook the steaks. The salad and vegetables were done and he sang along to the radio while he waited. Steve’s career was finally taking off as the new DJ of the hottest radio station in LA. He was so proud of all his friends. Well, everyone but Caleb. He shook his head and concentrated on the music.
Rich broke into his thoughts. “So, you are seriously oblivious to perfection. How is this possible? Self proclaimed eternal bachelor Mark Moretti being tamed by a shy, timid blonde? I wouldn’t have believed it in a million years.” Mark turned to face him and Rich gasped. “What the hell happened to your face?”
“I had a small run in…”
“With a douchebag’s fist.” Layla finished his sentence and Mark cringed. “What? He was a douche. Acting like he owned the place, pushing by me in the doorway. Demanding I get you. Ridiculous.”
The song on the radio came to an end and Steve’s voice rang out onto the airwaves. “This next song goes out to Sophie. Caleb says he knows you are a closet Bieber fan and this song says it all.”
Justin Bieber’s ‘Fall’ came on the radio and Mark froze.
‘Well let me tell you a story, about a girl and a boy
He fell in love with his best friend, when she’s around he feels nothing but joy…
But did you know that I love you, or were you not aware?
You’re the smile on my face and I ain’t going nowhere.’
“What the hell is going on?” Mark dropped into a lounge chair next to Molly. His head fell into his hands and his shoulders slumped. Molly reached out and traced his jaw and he flinched. “What the hell is this?” He waved his hands toward the radio. He grabbed his phone and shot Sophie another text.
‘What is going on? I need you to talk to me.’
Molly sighed. “I don’t know. Sophie wasn’t in today. Apparently, she and Caleb had a meeting yesterday. I really don’t know what was said but she was crying when she left and Caleb sat in his office in silence the rest of the day. I talked to her this morning but all I could get out of her was that she wasn’t feeling well and she needed a few days. Said she would see me at the rehearsal.”
“Caleb as in the Caleb that hit you?” Layla sat up straighter. “That wasn’t Sophie’s boss Caleb was it?”
“Caleb did that to you?” Molly’s eyes watered. “Why?”
“I have no idea. He showed up here and woke me up this morning. Didn’t say much. Just punched me in the jaw and slammed the door. I have tried to reach Sophie all day. She won’t talk to me.” Mark glanced at Layla as her phone rang. Her face said it all. She stood up and walked to the stairs before answering. “Molls, I wanted to ask her to marry me at the wedding. That’s what this dinner was about. I know you wanted me to sing something else at the reception. But I wanted to sing Marry me by Train and ask her at your reception. I know that might have been stealing some of your thunder but I wanted to share the day with all you guys.” Mark rubbed his face and sighed. “What?”
Molly just stared as a tear rolled down her cheek. Her eyes were wide and her jaw dropped open. “Seriously? The reception is perfect but why are you saying it like you aren’t going to ask her now?”
“She won’t talk to me Molly. Caleb shows up and punches me in the face, now this dedication to her on the radio. Is there something going on? I am blind? Was this not mutual?”
“Mark. Stop.” Rich put his hand on his forearm. “This is nuts. There is some logical explanation for this. Well, except for the punch in the face. That’s ludicrous. We will all get to the bottom of this. Maybe she really is sick and the two incidents aren’t related.”
“Dude, if she were sick, you would think she would want me around.” Mark stood up and headed to the top of the stairs to eavesdrop on Layla’s conversation.
****
“Sophie, calm down. What’s going on?” Mark could only hear Layla’s side of the conversation but he felt better just knowing Sophie was OK. “Why would he dedicate a song to you? What does Mark have to say about this Soph?” Her eyes met Mark’s and she mouthed “she’s ok.”
As Mark stepped away from the stairs he heard Layla gasp. “Don’t you dare go to the wedding with Caleb.” His shoulders slumped.
Chapter 15
Mark stood in the foyer of the church. His hair was spiked and messy. The gray button down shirt he wore showed his broad chest and lean waist. His sleeves were rolled up showing his sculpted forearms and his freshly tattooed chest peeked out the top buttons. Layla smiled as she thought of them sitting in the tattoo studio for hours the day before as Mark tried to decide if he wanted to ink his pristine chest. He had decided on two simple stars while Layla tattooed the same on her foot. She sighed as Mark rung his hands together and then wiped them down the front of his pants. She didn’t know how this trip would end but she had enjoyed every minute of getting to know Mark. He had quickly become the brother she had always wanted.