Page 53 of The Life Experiment
‘Thanks for the lift, Dad,’ she said, kissing David’s cheek. ‘I’ll be fine.’
‘Oh, I know you will,’ David replied.
As they shared a smile, Layla realised that she knew the words to be true. Whatever came next, wherever she decided to go from here, she would be fine. Nervous? Of course. Scared? Absolutely, but fine nonetheless. She was her father’s daughter, after all.
24Angus
For the second time in five minutes, Angus checked his appearance. Opting for a lightweight blue shirt, black jeans and distressed leather boots, the outfit was casual but smart enough that Layla would know he’d made an effort. Sure, his clothes had been tailored to fit him perfectly, but they were high street brands. Angus hoped that would be enough to make him seem less heir-to-the-estate and more normal-guy-out-with-a-woman-he-couldn’t-stop-thinking-about.
Because Angus had to seem normal. Anything else would be catastrophic.
Smoothing down the front of his shirt, Angus tried to self-soothe.It’s not all been lies, he reminded himself.Layla likes you when you’re being yourself.
Layla liked the way Angus laughed without hesitation. She liked that he asked questions and liked even more that he listened to her answers. She liked the music he liked, the films he watched. She liked all the bits of Angus that were completely and utterly himself.
Himself minus the privilege she knew nothing about, of course.
The thought threatened to drag Angus under, but he knew he couldn’t give in to his worries if he wanted to be on time.
Angus took a taxi to his destination, a boutique but inexpensive restaurant named Bella Vino in Camden that Aleksander had recommended. ‘I go there with Mia for a treat,’ he said. ‘It’s a hidden gem.’
As the taxi stuttered through the bustling streets of London, Angus hoped Aleksander was telling the truth. He jiggled his leg. Angus didn’t think he was someone who felt nervous around women, but seeing Layla again? Talking to her in person? Well, Angus finally learned what pre-date jitters felt like.
Not that this was a date, Angus reminded himself. It was a meeting between two friends. Angus just happened to think about this friend twenty-four seven. That was all.
As the well-lit front of Bella Vino appeared ahead, Angus exhaled. The restaurant looked inviting, but not ostentatious. Casual enough that their non-date wasn’t intimidating, but intimate enough that if it veered into date territory, the setting was still perfect.
Hopping out of the car, Angus headed towards the restaurant just as Layla stepped out of a taxi further down the road.
He froze.
Layla looked even more beautiful than Angus remembered. How that was possible, he didn’t know, but she did. A leather jacket hugged her figure and a pair of heeled boots elongated her legs. Her hair was pulled back, exposing her features in all their radiance.
Captivated, Angus could have observed Layla readjust her handbag all night, but then she spotted him. As her face lit up, he felt his world tilt.
Somehow, Angus found the courage to approach her. ‘Would you call it fate, arriving at the same time?’
‘That depends. Were you waiting for me so you could say that and seem smooth?’
‘Not quite,’ Angus replied. ‘Although I do like the idea of you thinking I’m smooth.’
Then, all of a sudden, there were no more steps to take to bridge the distance between them.
‘Hi,’ Angus said, unable to fight a smile.
‘Hi, yourself,’ Layla replied.
That was all it took for Angus to envelop Layla in his arms like he was welcoming her home. She leaned into him, nestling against his chest. Angus’s heart pounded. No doubt Layla would feel it beating against her cheek, but Angus didn’t care. Let her see how much this night meant to him.
When someone walking past whistled, Layla pulled out of the hug, blushing. ‘Let’s go inside. I’m starving.’
The pair headed towards the restaurant, their coat sleeves grazing in the most tantalising way. When they reached the door, Angus opened it. A gust of oregano wafted from inside.
Bella Vino was a hive of activity, all cramped tables, groups of friends and raucous laughter. The place was more of an assault on the senses than the exclusive, dimly lit establishments Angus was used to. It took a moment for him to adjust, but as a waitress carried two delicious-smelling pasta dishes past him, Angus found he preferred this vivid environment.
After greeting them, a baby-faced waiter grabbed two menus and steered Angus and Layla to their table. Close to the window, away from the bathrooms, with an elderly couple to one side and a group of three friends to the other, it was a good spot.
Before Angus could get there, the waiter pulled out Layla’s chair. ‘Can I get you some water? Still, sparkling or tap?’ he asked.
