Ever After Awaits (Layla) novel Chapter 13

First–day jitters cause me to wake much earlier than my 6 am alarm dictates. To work off some stress, I go for a 45–minute jog around the property. By the time I re–enter the house, I’m much calmer and mentally prepared for what’s to come.

After a thorough shower, I dress in high–waisted jeans that hit mid–thigh, a white lacy button–up short- sleeved shirt, my favorite pair of golden lace–up sandals, and finish it off with some light make–up and a messy topknot. The weather is still sweltering, and I have no desire to be sweating my tits off by noon.

Stepping into the kitchen, I find Moira setting down a plate at my usual spot on the bay window bench seat. It’s loaded with creamy scrambled eggs, crispy rashers of bacon, golden toasted sourdough, and a couple of slivers of avocado. There is even a glass of orange juice.

I inhale deeply as I sit down, groaning at the heavenly smell that wafts towards me.

“What’s the occasion?” I ask her as I start digging into the spread before me. Each bite is life–altering, and I think I might just have a food–gasm right there and then.

“I thought I’d spoil you kids this morning seeing as it is your first day back.”

My fork stills on the way to my mouth, and it takes a couple of seconds for my brain to compute what she just said. Of course, Xavier is also attending Saxonsea U. Michael wouldn’t enroll us in different institutions. Urgh!

My nerves are back in full force. I decide to not get ahead of myself. With the size of the campus, the chances of running into him should be slim. Right? Right!

After I finish the rest of my breakfast, I rinse my plate and glass, placing them in the dishwasher. Pouring myself a travel mug of coffee comes next. As I’m heading out the door, I thank Moira for her extra effort and promise to help her with dinner tonight. She beams at me before wishing me luck for my first day.

I am running a few minutes late; my previous meeting is running over.

Cade texted last night and asked if I wanted to meet up with him in front of the administration building to give me that personalized tour. Of course, I said yes.

Walking up to the building I spot him leaning against the wall – his one leg kicked up so his foot rests on the wall behind him, and his arms crossed over his chest. His head is dipped down and his brow is scrunched as if he is deep in thought.

I seize the moment to drag my gaze over his figure. Tall and muscular, with biceps that are straining his t- shirt sleeves, and an unmistakable aura that is mysterious yet peaceful. Our kiss replays in my mind’s eye, and I take a deep breath to steady myself before I cover the last couple of yards that separate us.

1/4

8:03 pm

Chapter 13: Layla POV

His head snaps up, almost as if he sensed me as I drew closer. The smile he bestows on me makes butterflies erupt in my stomach, my returning smile is automatic.

“Good morning, Sunshine,” Cade says as he pulls himself away from the wall and comes to a standstill a few inches from me. Our height difference forces me to look up at him, but I don’t feel intimidated at all.

“Good morning, Handsome Barista,” I playfully retort, making him smirk at me.

“How are your first–day nerves?” he asks sincerely.

“The verdict is still out on that. But I’m cautiously optimistic.” I give him a slight smile.

He takes my hand and gives it a light squeeze, “You’ve got this. I have the utmost confidence in you.” His words and the earnestness in his tone make me blush and I drop my head to break our intense eye contact.

His pointer finger crooks under my chin and draws my head back up, “Don’t hide those beautiful eyes from me.” For a few seconds, the world around us ceases to exist. There is only his body against mine, his cerulean–blue gaze, and his intoxicating aroma of sandalwood and freshly cut grass that wrap around me.

“I have a confession to make,” I say, effectively breaking the tension–filled moment.

“Should I be scared?” he hitches an eyebrow, and a sly smile plays on his lip.

“I technically don’t need a tour of the campus anymore; I explored on my own yesterday.”

He places a hand over his heart in mock outrage, “So my generous offer of being your personal tour guide was not appealing enough to you? How will I ever get over this heartbreak?” he swipes away an imaginary tear from the corner of his eye. I giggle at him at his playfulness.

“I’m willing to make it up to you…” my comment is loaded with insinuation, and he picks up on it without missing a beat.

“Anything?” the devilish look on his face should have sent me running for the hills, but I’m like a moth

that’s drawn to a flame.

“Within reason, but I’m open to most things as long as we can negotiate if I’m not happy with all the terms and conditions.” I wink at him, and he gets giddy with excitement.

“How about you meet me for lunch in the student center, then we can discuss the various options and their

terms and conditions.”

“Deal!” There was no way I would have declined his offer.

Before I get to step away, he slinks an arm around my back and pulls me in closer. “Have a good day, Sunshine.” The gentle, yet toe–curling kiss that he plants on my lips, makes my heart flutter and my blood turn red hot. How am I supposed to focus on my classes after a kiss like that?

2/4

8:03 pm 30 D

Chapter 13: Layla POV

We break away slowly and without another spoken word, we split into our respective directions.

Cade messaged me after his second class, asking me if we could postpone lunch. He needs to pop over to his parent’s house to help with some kind of family issue. Of course I’m bummed, but family comes first, and I’ll never give him grief about something like that.

After picking up a quick lunch at one of the food stalls, I find a cozy spot underneath a maple tree that is a bit more off to the side. I just need a moment to find my center again before I tackle the rest of my classes

today.

A hubbub catches my attention halfway through me enjoying my club sandwich. On the walkway that runs past me, a small group of girls are swarming around someone. Their giggles and fake nasally laughs give me the idea that the person is of the male gender. I roll my eyes and decide to ignore them.

As the small crowd draws closer, there is a sudden gap between a fake–breasted redhead and a bottle–blond petite girl. And, lo and behold, whose obsidian black hair and emerald–green eyes come into view? The great Xavier Reed. Why am I not surprised? Gag!

His gaze locks onto mine and he visibly stiffens, irritation coming off him in waves.

I don’t understand why my presence irks him so, I’ve avoided him as much as possible to minimize his temper tantrums. But that, too, doesn’t seem to satisfy him. He’d probably prefer it if I dropped off the

face of the earth.

The redhead notices his stare–off with me, a nasty sneer coming to her mouth just before she runs her nails down his arm in a vain attempt to stake her claim on him. He is all yours, my dear!

They pass me but I refuse to break eye contact with him. I have done nothing wrong and refuse to let him intimidate me. This campus is big enough for both of us, if you don’t take his massive ego into account,

that is.

The rest of the day goes by relatively uneventfully, and by the time I get home, my brain feels like it was put through a blender. I think a nap is just what the doctor ordered.

Unfortunately for me, the universe has other ideas.

3/4