Ever After Awaits (Layla) novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Layla POV

My hike is just what the doctor ordered. Peaceful, calm, serene. A great indicator that Xavier Reed is not in

the vicinity.

I have been hiking for about an hour when I start hearing the faint sounds of a bubbling stream in the distance. According to the trail map, the waterfall and its basin should be right around the corner. Next to it should be a decent–sized meadow where one can relax, have a picnic, or just take a breather.

As I crest the final butte, my gaze is immediately drawn to the majestic waterfall in front of me.

The sun’s rays cause a beautiful rainbow to appear where the waterfall meets the catch pool at the bottom, the waterfall cliff is covered in the most luscious of green moss and foliage, and the melodic sounds of

various birds can be heard.

I stand there momentarily, just taking the scene in, and being thankful that I can experience something so magnificent. I promise myself that I’ll visit again soon with my sketching supplies in hand.

Off to my left, a sprawling field lays, dotted with wildflowers that create a pop of color every couple of feet – yellow, white, purple.

The edges of the field are lined with large sprawling oak trees. The leaves create a patchwork of shadows as the early morning sun slants through their branches. It is the ideal place for a picnic with your loved ones, an artist wanting to paint the landscape, or someone like me who just wants to sit on their own and reflect on what’s to come.

I find a semi–secluded spot right next to the water’s edge where I can dip my feet into the stream, but I’m also covered by the trees‘ shade.

As I’m sipping on my water and nibbling on my energy bar, I hear a small group of people approaching but decide to pay them no mind.

The group of three girls and two guys choose a spot just down from me on the embankment, unpacking their blankets, towels, snacks, and drinks for the day.

Something about one of the guys seems awfully familiar but I don’t want to draw attention to myself by looking directly at them.

The girls strip down to their bikinis and the guys get rid of their t–shirts, leaving them in the swimming trunks. In the next instant, they all wade into the stream, laughing and splashing each other as they go.

Deciding to ignore them, I lean back on my elbows and tip my head up to the sky, close my eyes, and just breathe in the fresh air, temporarily forgetting about the troubles that await me at home,

Suddenly, a shadow falls across my face and I open my eyes slowly, preparing to berate the person who decided to invade my privacy.

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Chapter 9: Layla POV

I cannot make out any facial features due to the sun shining from his back, causing a halo around him, but his physique is that of a toned, muscular, and physically fit male.

“Hey beautiful,” his voice is like molten chocolate, wrapping around me and making all my girly bits tingle.

I bring my hand up to my eyes and squint up at him, still not able to get a clear picture of who I’m looking at even if the voice does sound vaguely familiar.

He mock gasps while placing his one hand over his heart, “You wound me!”

I chuckle as I get ready to get to my feet, his other hand appearing in front of my face, offering to help me

1. up.

As I place my hand in his, an electric spark zips up my arm and I gasp – there is only one man that has had that effect on me the waiter from the seafood restaurant.

–

“Hunter? Is that you?”

He gently guides me to the side so we can both look at each other without being blinded by the sun.

A sultry smile spreads across his lips as he dips lower, his cinnamon and vanilla scent conjuring up all kinds of memories of that day, as well as some fantasies I had since then.

“I’m glad I’m not that forgettable.” he winks at me.

“Hardly, it was some of the best seafood chowder I’ve ever had,” I smirk at him, refusing to stroke his ego by alluding to the fact that he was more than memorable all on his own.

“And here I thought I made an impression by being the best waiter you’ve ever had.” He fake pouts and I can’t stop myself from giggling at his playfulness.

We look at each other for a couple of moments, not saying anything, just cataloging the other one’s features. I spot a faint scar just above his right eye, I realize he has golden circles around his pupils that bleed into his emerald–green irises, and there is a dimple that is faintly visible on his right cheek. I can only imagine how many panties he gets wet when he decides to grace the female population with its full

presence.

Someone calls his name, and we startle, realizing that we’re still holding on to each other. Without letting go of my hand while turning slightly sideways and holding one finger up to the guy who tried to get his attention, asking to give him one moment.

“Would you like to join us?” Hunter asks, peering into my eyes as if he can reach my soul if he looks hard enough.

“Raincheck? I need to start heading back.” I smile at him sheepishly from beneath my lashes.

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8:02 pm

Chapter 9: Layla POV

“On one condition.”

“Which is?” I crook my eyebrow at him in suspicion.

“You tell me why I never heard anything from you after I gave you my number at the restaurant that day.”

I cover my eyes with my hands, drop my head, and groan in embarrassment.

I hear Hunter chuckle at me and peek at him through my fingers, sure that my face is beet red.

“I know this might seem like a lame excuse, but I honestly lost your number, my life plans got thrown in a blender, and I had to pivot my future projects accordingly – all in the space of about two weeks.” He slowly starts to pull my hands away from my face, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“And I didn’t want to go to your work to ask for your number because I didn’t want to give off stalker/serial killer vibes.”

He throws his head back and gives a deep belly laugh, causing some of the closer birds to startle and fly off. I’m entranced by the effect it has on his face. I was correct in my assumption of that dimple’s effects – present company included.

“Mind handing me your phone?” he asks as soon as he can breathe and speak again.

I cock an eyebrow at him, “Why?”

“I want to make sure you don’t lose my number again, beautiful.” He has this cocky smirk that just makes me want to throw myself at him.

I unlock my phone and hand it to him, his fingers fly over the screen and the next moment I hear a notification sound coming from his phone.

“There, now there are no more excuses.” He winks at me and starts walking backward towards his friends.

“Wait, you never asked my name, how will you know it’s me contacting you?”

“I saved your number under Beautiful, that’s all I need to know, for now.” Before I can give him a retort, he spins around and disappears into the stream with his friends.

As I make my way back to my car, I can’t help the smile that keeps spreading across my face.

Who knew that a day that started with such a fiasco could make a complete 180–degree turnaround? Somewhere, my fairy godmother decided to show up for me.

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