looks at him with a raised eyebrow, daring him to do it.
“Of course you would want me to look like the asshole,” he grumbles as he heads to the door to bring Isla in for the interview.
After dropping Jenna off at her apartment for the evening, I decided to take the long way home and walk to clear my mind, thinking about Jenna’s advice on Layla. Fortunately, Cal was still interviewing potential new bodyguards so I was able to slip out before he had the chance to keep me there for another three hours of talking. I don’t like Jenna’s advice, but the more I contemplate it, the more I see she has a point. I decide a truce is in order and go straight to the flower shop to buy some flowers for Layla and wait for her outside her apartment building, hoping that will force her to see me.
One hour later, I see her heading toward me. She hasn’t noticed me yet as her head is down looking at the sidewalk while walking. She looks exhausted and I wonder if I’m the cause of it. I decide to stand a few feet in front of the glass doors in order for her to notice me. She glances up and then does a double take, her eyes widening in shock at the sight of me.
“Hello Ang… I mean, Layla,” I smile at her, mentally telling myself I need to refrain from calling her ‘angel’ if I’m only going to be her friend. “I have come to beg for forgiveness and ask that you reconsider my friendship.” I hand her the first bouquet of flowers to take. “These are for you as a peace offering. I’m so very sorry you felt the way you did by my omission of Cal’s interest in my winery. I told you before that I would never betray you and I meant that. Whether you want to believe me or not is your choice.”
“The next bouquet are congratulatory flowers on your new job. I wish you nothing but success in your new endeavor,” I lie threw my teeth as I hand her the second bouquet, because I would like nothing more than the House of Royalty nightclub to go under in order for Layla to not be working with Torrin Richards.
A gorgeous hue of pink tints her cheeks as she blushes. “Thank you, Chase. The flowers are beautiful and I really do appreciate the apology.” She gives me a sad smile and struggles with what she wants to say next. I hold up my hand as she starts to talk again, not wanting her to say something that contradicts what she feels due to her being scared. I know I cloud her judgment just as much as she clouds mine. I still feel the electric spark between us and hope comes back alive for me knowing she still feels it too.
“You don’t need to say anything to me, Layla. Just know that I’m trying to be a friend. I look forward to seeing you soon.” Despite my better judgment, I give her a swift kiss on the cheek and force myself to walk away without turning back.
24
Layla
One Week Later
The view of the Pacific Northwest from thirty-thousand feet is breathtaking, with clear blue skies and what seems to be an endless range of mountain tops. Chicago is so flat compared to this part of the country that I’m mesmerized by the sights. The peacefulness of the view and the soothing noise of the jet engines help calm my nerves.
As I sit here on this private, luxury jet that Cal has chartered, I do wonder what in the hell am I doing here? I have no business being here, but when Jenna told me that they were accompanying Cal back to Thailand straight from Vancouver, I panicked at the thought of not having time with her before she left. Since I gave my two weeks notice at work already, I used up my remaining vacation time to spend this last week packing up my apartment, selling my furniture, and helping Jenna pack up their personal belongings in order for me to be officially moved in when I return from Vancouver. Packing up my apartment was cathartic. I purged everything and the only items that I have of Charlie are photographs and memories. I didn’t cry when I looked around the empty apartment for the last time. Instead, I smiled and held my head high as I locked