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Chapter 16: Layla

I want answers.

I’m staring far too long at the three words.

"Kieran?" The hope in Evelyn’s voice has me looking up. I glance again at Carl.

Tiny lines form around his eyes as he smiles. "It’s okay, Layla. You’re a young woman now." He pats my hand, and I want to crawl under the table for so many reasons. They both wait for my answer. I look down at the message again. I close my phone.

"Yeah, it’s Kieran." I’ve never seen Evelyn so excited. She covers her mouth with her hand as she continues to smile.

Carl gives my hand one final pat before getting up. "Just… Evelyn will have a chat with you." And there it is—the chat about the birds and the bees. I don’t look at Carl. He sounds as embarrassed as I feel.

"Going to catch up on some football," he says.

"Okay, love." Evelyn removes her hand as she watches him leave. Her nod to him tells me he’s mouthing something. I turn just as the door clicks.