Ever After Awaits (Layla) novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78: Layla POV

I’m a bit disappointed when Xavier leans back and breaks the kiss. But I also appreciate it, because I don’t want to have our first ‘real‘ kiss to be in parking lot after I told him I don’t trust him to not be a dick to a preschooler

Without another word, he helps me into the car, closes my door, and heads to the driver’s side.

As the car rumbles down the road towards Xavier’s dad’s house, I’m a nervous wreck inside. I honestly don’t know what to expect.

Xavier must feel my nervous energy that’s palpitating the air around me, because he suddenly reaches over the center console, takes my hand gently in ins, laces our fingers together in my lap, and then says with a confidence I’m envious of, “No matter what happens when we get there, I’ll be right there with you. I won’t let anything happen to you. And if there are any financial implications, we’ll find a solution together”

With a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes, the only reply I can give him is a vague one as I say, “Thanks.”

A few minutes later, we pull up to the mansion, and I just sit there, staring apprehensively up at the cream marble pillars and double front doors as if they are the gates of hell themselves.

Xavier steps from the car and then pauses, giving me some extra seconds to gather my thoughts and strength. Here goes nothing, I suppose. I haven’t even lifted my hand properly to reach for my door handle before Xavier opens it with a flourish, somewhat lightening my somber mood. With a grateful smile, I step out and let him lead me to the front door with a guiding hand at my lower back.

We haven’t even placed our foot on the bottom steps leading to the front door before the one swings open and Moira comes barreling towards me, arms spread, and a smile that shines with motherly love shining brightly on her face. How sad is it that this woman who is practically a stranger to me, cares more for me and is more excited to see me than my own goddamn mother.

My reaction is visceral and instantaneous. With a sob, I pick up my pace and skip the steps two at a time, into her waiting arms. Once there, she holds me like we haven’t seen each other in years. It’s warm, it’s loving, it’s emotion–filled, and it speaks of a bond that was forged in a short time but is deeper than the one I have with my mom.

“Sweetheart,” she eventually says as she leans back to give me a once–over, “you look good. I’m glad to see Tessa’s been looking after you.”

“Moira, I might not have my life together right now, but I know how to look after myself, thank you very much,” I sass her playfully, and her returning smile lightens my mood further..

“Come, come, let’s get inside and catch up some before you need to go see Mr. Reed,” she says as she hustles us inside and to the kitchen.

“Why, hello, Moira, it’s so nice to see you, too. I’m doing very well myself, thank you for asking,” Xavier sarcastically says with a naughty grin when she didn’t even acknowledge him behind me. I giggle behind my hand because I have a sneaking suspicion he’s about to get whacked over the head with something for being mouthy to her.

As suspected, once we’re in the kitchen, Moira turns around with a speed that belies her small stature and then smacks Xavier in the chest with a wooden spoon. “Don’t you mouth off to me, young man. I’m not afraid of your height. I’ll easily bring you back to earth with a strategically placed knee,” she threatens with no real heat behind her words.

“Ouch,” Xavier pouts as he rubs at the spot where the spoon made contact. She didn’t hit him hard enough to leave a mark or even bruise, but I’m sure it still stings.

“Now, what do you say to an old lady like myself?” Moira asks as she cocks a brow at him, hands on her hips.

Looking like a thoroughly chastised kid, Xavier closes the gap between them, leans down, and kisses her cheek before saying. “I’m sorry, Moira.”

With a wink in my direction, she says, “Very good.“I’m struggling to hold in my laugh as Xavier walks over to the kitchen island to sit on one of the barstools, looking as if someone kicked his puppy/Wholly unaware that Moira’s shitting with him.

We chit–chat amongst each other as Moira bustjes around the kitchen, either to boil water for tea or to plate up some snickerdoodle cookies for us. Once done, she comes over to Xavier, where he sits beside me, and lightly kisses his cheek as she places his own small plate with cookies in front of him.

“You look good, Xavier, How did the game go last night?” she asks genuinely. Excitedly, he tells her about their amazing game and how they won by

landslide.

I sit quietly and nibble on a cookie, watching and listening to them as she gives him her undivided attention while he leaves no detail out

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Chapter 78: Layla POV

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We talk about anything and rything, exrays the elephant in the room why in here in the first place.

Hallway through my second cup of tea and with my sides hurting from all the laughing we’ve been doing, we beat the frmd door conversation, thinking it’s maybe José coming to say hello, knowing he’ll slot into our companionable conversation as if he sa

Unfortunately, I am not that lucky, though,

Two seconds before she enters the kitchen, her high heels clicking on the marble floors can be heard approaching us.

Stepping into the kitchen, my mother glances around, greeting no one. When her eyes land on me, though, they harden around the earners, but in that would fool no one, she singsongs, “Sweetheart, I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Hi, Mom,” I say, unable to give her much more of a response than that.

Stepping closer, she leans her one hand on the counter in front of me, tapping her nails rhythmically as her following words ruin the perfect day having thus far, “You missed meeting your future fiancée last night.”

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