CHAPTER 3
Layla
I couldn’t believe that damn phone call ruined my chance at a kiss. He had a gorgeous set of lips on him. Perfect for sucking on before he planted them into the crook of my neck. I got into my car and drove away, disappointed that I didn’t get more time with him. I knew work was important, and I wasn’t faulting him for that. Especially after the very expensive dinner he’d just treated me to.
As I drove away from the perfect date, my phone rang as well. I picked it up and put it to my ear, hoping the person on the other end was Daniel.
But I was equally happy when I saw it was Melanie.
“So? How was it?” she asked.
“Not gonna even let me say hello?” I asked.
“I was actually hoping you wouldn’t pick up at all. Was it just dinner?” she asked.
“He got a work call that interrupted the goodnight kiss I knew was coming. Ugh. Mel, you should see this man’s lips. They’re perfect.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll get another chance at them,” Mel assured. “Now tell me about this date.”
“He took me to Saffron Table.”
“Holy shit. He can afford that place?”
“And then some. Had a bottle of decantered red wine waiting for us at the table when we got there. And the waitress? I don’t think she had any other table but ours,” I said.
“Did you eat the most expensive thing on the menu?” she asked.
“No, but the thought did cross my mind. I got a steak, and it was cooked to perfection. It took all I had not to moan through the entire meal.”
“He might’ve liked that. You always pick the weird ones.”
“Thanks,” I said, grinning. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Do you like him?”
“I think I do. I mean, I wouldn’t turn down a second date, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“That’s a definite ‘I like him’ in your language, so yes. That’s what I was looking for,” she said.
“But that’s all I’ve really got right now. I wouldn’t turn down a second date. Get this, though—his grandmother is Gerdie.”
“Mrs. Wallander?” Mel asked. “Wasn’t that your grandma’s best friend?”
“Yep. Small world, huh? Gerdie never told me she had a handsome-as-fuck grandson.”
“Probably because she knows you’re a man-eater.”
“I am not a man-eater. I just don’t go on second dates if I don’t want to. Nothing wrong with that.”
“I’m just playing with you,” she said.
My phone beeped in my ear, and I smiled as I recognized the number.
“Mel, I’ll have to call you back. Daniel’s trying to call in.”
“Go get him, girl! And remember—details for later,” she said.
I hung up with Mel and switched over the line. My heart was hammering in my chest, and my hand was tightly gripping the steering wheel. What could he be calling about? Did I leave something behind? Did he want me to come back?
Was he not done with me yet?
“Hello?”
“First off, I would like to apologize,” Daniel said.
“For what?” I asked.
“For leaving you the way I did. It was an important work call, but I could’ve waited to answer it until we had wrapped things up.”
“Don’t worry about that. I understand that work can be an inconvenience sometimes. Especially if you own the company.”
“Let me make it up to you,” he said.
“There’s nothing to make up.”
“Is this your way of saying you won’t let me take you out again?” he asked.
“Not at all. I just don’t want you to feel you have to in order to apologize. There’s nothing to forgive.”
“I want to see you again, Layla. Interruption or no, I would have asked you out again,” he assured.
“Okay,” I said. “I’d like that.”
“Tomorrow,” he said. “Are you working?”
“A bit in the morning, but I should be off for lunch. I know a really good place we could grab a bite if you don’t mind me coming in my work clothes.”
“You could wear a trash bag and make it look phenomenal, Layla.”
His words hung heavily in my ears as I bit back a sigh.
“How about you just meet me at the shop tomorrow. Say around one? It’s a little hole-in-the-wall place, and it’s hard to find if you’re not a local,” I said.
“Will you have a wonderful cup of coffee waiting for me?” he asked.
“If you’d like. Just come in and place your order. Yours can be the last one I make before I slip out.”
“Perfect. I’ll see you at one o’clock tomorrow at the coffee shop.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”