"Britta, look, I appreciate that you canceled your October party because I couldn't go. I'm telling you now, Father will find some way to keep me home. I can't even breathe without someone being right there watching. It's been that way ever since those men tried to kidnap me."
"I know, I know. You have to try though. Tons of people will be there, Laylah, including Donil."
Laylah stopped abruptly. "Donil! Wait, how do you know him?" Shock and jealousy hit her hard. Quickly, she squashed it. She should have known that a handsome man like that would not be interested in someone like her. Besides, he'd never called after that day when he kissed her....
"His mom provides veterinary care for my father's horses." Britta grinned. "He's muy caliente, no?"
A blush heated Laylah's face at her friend's words and she glanced away, missing Britta's knowing look. "I wouldn't know."
"Oh, I think you do. Donil is always on the move and is a ladies' man. At least that's what Father says." Britta giggled and draped her arm over Laylah's shoulders. "Come now, Chica. What aren't you telling me? I'm your amiga and we don't keep secrets."
"It's...I mean," She struggled with her feelings. She'd only told Britta the barest of details about her would-be abductors. She'd left out certain parts about Donil and his mother. She also failed to mention that the men were not human, but Weres who had chased her that day in the forest. She felt guilty at first, but some instinct told her it was the right choice. She wasn't having one of those moments right now though. She decided honesty was best.
"I met him two months ago when he saved me from those guys. Those men turned out to be Weres. I met his mother, too. She was really nice and fixed my ankle."
"Those men were Weres! Did you report it? You know what the law says, Laylah!"
"I know what it says, Britta, but Jacques and Father both wanted to keep the whole thing quiet, so no police."
Britta sighed, moved her arm away and stood in front of Laylah. "Oh, Chica. Why didn't you tell me? I saw your face. You felt bad about keeping silent. It's okay. There are some things I don't tell anyone either. You like him though, don't you?"
"Who? Donil? No! I mean, yes, he's nice," she mumbled.
"Ah, ha! More than nice. You're blushing again!"
"Am not!" Britta's laughter made Laylah squirm. "Okay, maybe a little. He's not like the boys here at school."
"That's because he's an hombre. Muy machismo, as my mama would say. So, now, will you come to my party?"
"Britta! I don't think…." She threw up hands in defeat at her friend's pleading look. "All right, all right! I'll try."
"No try. As a little green man said in that 20th century Earth film that Father and I watched last week, 'Do or do not. There is no try.' You will be at my party, no matter what or how."
Laylah rolled her eyes. "You watch too many old vids."
"Hey, you have to admit those people in past centuries had lots of creativity and could come up with the most memorable quotes. Talk about entertainment! Better than the junk they put out these days. So boring! Who wants to watch vids of trees swaying in the breeze? Father agrees with me on that one. And the music back then…it had beat and rhythm."
Britta hummed a few bars of a song that Laylah didn't recognize. She laughed at her friend's silliness and wished she had parents like Britta. Parents that listened and didn't bark orders.
"Laylah! Hey, Amiga, wake up!"
"Huh?" She blinked and squeaked in surprise when her mind registered the addition of a second person beside Britta. Flustered, she backed up. For two long months, she'd agonized and despaired over her confused feelings for the man now before her. Too shocked to do much, she simply stared.
"Cat must have her tongue."
Donil's teasing words struck a nerve. She felt tears threatening to come as her fury grew. How dare he mock her! Without a word, she gave him a venomous glare, spun away from the pair and stormed off, ignoring Britta's concerned shout.
"I will not be made fun of by him!" Laylah angrily muttered and headed for the pickup spot. She wanted to get away from her feelings and the man that caused them.
~***~
Donil was baffled by Laylah's reaction to his arrival. He was thrilled to see her and had hoped that he could get her to smile. Instead she'd stormed off.
"Ow! Cut it out, Britta!" He threw Britta a reproachful look. "Why'd you punch my arm for?"
"You're an idiot, Donil Silentshadow!" Huffing, Britta shoved past him and ran after Laylah.
"An idiot? Hey, Britta, wait!" He chased after her. He would never understand females and their crazy moods. Donil rounded the hedge and froze as a faint scent caught his attention.
"Impossible!" Warily he studied the immediate area, but didn't see anything. He moved to the curb and inhaled deeply, allowing the flow of smells to filter through his nose. His eyes narrowed in fury.
Zina, Gerard, and that Grizzly, Alexis, had been here recently. Donil had to get Laylah out of the area now. He stepped back from the edge and leaned against the brick wall. Not caring who saw, he closed his eyes and focused on the mental bond he shared with Britta. In seconds, Donil had a fix on her and jogged in that direction.
He slowed when he heard the two girls arguing. He was relieved to find them unharmed. Now he needed to get Laylah to safety. Keeping to the bushes, he decided to eavesdrop. It would make it easier if he knew why both were upset with him. Then he could concentrate on protecting the ones he loved most.
~***~
Britta planted herself in front of Laylah. Dangit! Both Donil and Laylah could be so stubborn and silly when it came to emotional issues.
"Move, Britta!" Laylah snapped.
"Nope, can't do that, Chica. You're being ridiculous. Stomping off like some kid throwing a tantrum. That's no way to handle a guy like Donil."
"I don't care! He can fall off a cliff or something! That works for me."
She found herself sighing. Lately, she'd been doing a lot of that around Laylah. Her friend's severe mood swings made it difficult for Britta to keep up. Quiet, unassuming Laylah was turning into a new person, and it was hard to adjust to the changes. She focused on her friend. The hurt in Laylah's eyes couldn't be disguised. "You do care and that's why you're acting like this. Admit it."
"He didn't even call me, after all that stuff happened," Laylah whispered brokenly.
She wanted to throttle Donil for being so inconsiderate. Had he no shame? What had he done to make Laylah this wound up?
"I thought he liked me because he kissed me!"
"He did what! When?" Britta tapped her foot and scowled as she waited for her friend's answer.
"After he rescued me from the Weres. It was the next day, right before his mom took me home. I guess I wasn't good enough. He didn't bother to call or try to see me again. I'm pathetic. I mean, look at me! Too ugly to be loved or wanted!" The tears flowed as Laylah sobbed miserably.
She could handle anything or anyone, but she couldn't stand to see Laylah cry.
"Oh, Chica." She wrapped her arms around her friend's stiff body and hugged her, occasionally making soothing sounds as she held her. "I'm here and I don't think you're ugly or unlovable. I want to be around such a smart, funny, beautiful friend. So hey, no more tears, ok?"
"Okay." Laylah nodded and wiped away her tears.
At one glance at Laylah's red eyes, Britta reached in her purse and pulled out a bottle of eye drops. "Here." She put it in her friend's hand. "If you don't use them, Jacques will aggravate you about it until you cave and tell him."
Obediently, Laylah applied the eye drops. "Thanks. Do my eyes look better?"
She peered into each eye. "Yes, much. Now listen, I'll talk to Donil and find out his reason for such poor manners. I'll give him your e-number and he'll message you. It'll be up to you whether or not you talk to him."
"Britta, I...."
She covered Laylah's mouth with one hand. "Shh. No excuses, Laylah. Give him a chance before you blame him and toss a possible relationship aside." She could hear the low purr of the Le Croix limo and knew Jacques would be there any moment. "Promise me, Laylah."
"Fine! I'll hear his explanation. Now, I have to go. There's Jacques. See you tomorrow, Britta."
The limo came to a stop and Jacques' bulky form emerged from the driver's side. "Hello, Mr. J!" She waved and smirked as he grimaced at the nickname.
Jacques opened the back door and Laylah climbed in. He didn't answer Britta until he closed the door. "Good afternoon to you too, Miss Newsome."
She threw him a cheeky salute and grinned at his chuckle. His abrupt silence made her glance around. She spotted Donil near the bushes and took note that he and Jacques were locked in a stare down.
"Enough! I swear! Mr. Jacques, por favor, take Laylah home. She's had a long day."
She watched Jacques hesitate before giving Donil a dismissive look. "Stay away from her. I'm warning you now, Donil."
"No can do, Jacques. Besides I'm on public property. Henry doesn't rule here." Donil's eyes glittered dangerously.
Britta groaned. She knew what that look meant. Donil was about to antagonize Jacques into a fight. Laylah didn't need that happening right now, not with the state she was in. Making a snap decision, she ran over to Donil and slugged him in the stomach. She knew it wouldn't hurt him, but it did have the desired effect. He glanced down at her.
"What, Britta? Can't you see we're a little busy here? And what's the deal with all this hitting?"
"Yeah, busy being an idiot again!" She heard the limo pull away and was relieved. "You know, for someone who's supposed to be wiser because of age, you sure don't possess any common sense!"
"Britta, that is not true. I do have sense and, one day, all this macho chest thumping as you call it, will be made clear." Donil's eyes followed the limo as it turned the corner and disappeared from view. "We have to go. Mom and your parents are expecting us for dinner."
She was puzzled by Donil's strange behavior. She needed to call Laylah later. Maybe this day could at least end on a better note for her friend.