Perfectly Lonely - Jessica Marin Page 0,63
walk around in. I finish my hair and makeup and join everyone in the kitchen to grab breakfast before going to the vineyard.
Once breakfast is completed, we climb into the van and are driven back to the private jet terminal at Vancouver International Airport. A chartered plane is waiting for our arrival, with Chase, his brother and a group of people all outside waiting to greet us. I take a deep breath and look outside my window to see Cal shaking hands with everyone, introducing Jenna and Avery to them. Chase and Rhys are standing next to a stunning older woman who Rhys favors, but I can tell Chase inherited her cheekbones. Lara Wilson is the epitome of sophistication and I suddenly feel inadequate to meet her.
“Layla, are you okay?” Robert turns back to look at me before exiting the van, noticing my pale complexion.
“Yes, just tired,” I respond, not wanting Robert to know how nervous I am to meet Chase’s mother. Despite Chase and I not officially being a couple, her opinion of me really does matter. I stand up and smooth out my already wrinkled pants. I take one more look out of the window and notice a tall, beautiful, red head standing next to Chase’s mom. As Chase introduces Cal and Jenna to his mother, this woman watches him with a certain type of pride that only someone who is close would show publicly.
“Robert, do you know who that red-headed woman is?” Robert did all the research on the people he would be meeting, so I’m curious if he knows who she is.
“You mean the enchanting goddess standing next to Lara Wilson? That’s Ellory Davis, daughter to Roger Davis, one of the richest families in Canada. Apparently Chase’s father and Roger were close, even trying to arrange a marriage between Chase and Ellory when they dated in college.”
I fall back into my seat in shock, not prepared by the news that I’m meeting one of Chase’s former girlfriends.
“Why are you looking like that? She’s not a threat — they aren’t together anymore. You really need to start stalking people that come into your life, Layla,” he chides and I nod my head in agreement.
“So everyone tells me,” I sarcastically respond and take another look at Ellory. “She’s beautiful,” I murmur, deep in my thoughts of wondering why Chase is not with her anymore.
“And so are you. Suck it up, buttercup! Get your ass out of that seat and let’s go be the ballers that we are!” Robert heads out of the van and leaves me alone with my thoughts.
Why hasn’t Chase mentioned her?
What does it matter that he didn’t?
Does he still have feelings for her?
“There you are,” Chase says as he gets into the van, looking for me. I flash him a smile, not wanting him to sense that anything is wrong. He looks divine in another dark colored suit with a white button down dress shirt underneath his blazer. His hair is styled again and the air permeates with his delicious Armani cologne. “Ready to meet everyone?” I nod my head and reach for the hand he has offered me. He pulls me into a hug, sending shivers up my spine as he nuzzles my neck.
“Damn, you smell good, Angel.” He traces light kisses against my neck, up along my check and finally plants his lips on mine softly. I give him a quick kiss back and pull away, not wanting to be seen by anyone from the outside.
“You look amazing.” His gaze slowly travels up and down my body with heated appreciation. Suddenly, the van has turned into a sauna, making me want to rip off all my clothes — and his as well. “C’mon, I want to introduce you to everyone.” He grabs my hand and leads the way off the van. I try to remove my hand from his, but he holds tightly as he walks straight to introduce me to his mother… and Ellory.
“Mother, this is Layla Sands, Jenna’s best friend. Layla, this is my mother, Lara.” Chase introduces us, his smile beaming on his face. He must have had a long talk with her because unconditional love is shining from her eyes as she gazes at her son.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Mrs. Wilson.” I extend my hand out, but she surprises me by grabbing me into a hug and kissing me on both sides of my cheeks.
“Chase has been raving about you, Layla, so the pleasure is all mine.