Page 7 of Fired Up (Alphas Forever 2)

Layla

Wow. That's all I can say. Wow. I've never experienced anything like that before. Not that I have that much to compare it to. But I have a feeling that even if I did, I’d still be on cloud nine right now.

After Anthony leaves, I crawl into bed and fall fast asleep. And I dream about him that night. I dream that we're together—that he's the man I end up. Forever. It's such a wonderful dream, at first. But then I realize that there's nothing in my life aside from him. In the dream, I've had to give up my career, my friendships, my everything to be his wife. And then all of a sudden it feels more like a nightmare than a dream.

I wake with a start. My heart is racing, even though I know it's just a stupid dream. But I think it's a sign. I can't get involved with Anthony. I can't let him come over again. He’s going to be too much of a distraction if I let him into my life.

I get ready and head to work. There's a lot on my plate that day. But of course, even with all I have to do, thoughts of Anthony still manage to force their way in. I keep thinking about how incredible he made me feel. How easy it was to talk to him. But then that stupid dream pops up in my mind and I feel conflicted all over again.

During lunch, I text my BFF. So…I kind of met a guy.

Carrie almost immediately texts me back. What?! Details please!

It's the guy who moved into your apartment.

No fucking way.

I know. Bad idea, right?

Depends. Is he good in bed?

He’s good with his tongue.

OMG, Layla. He’s a keeper!

But it’s a bad idea, right?

Cut it out with this ‘bad idea’ stuff. Just see where it goes.

Really? You sure?

Yes.

But I'm so focused on work right now…

STOP. MAKING. EXCUSES.

I know that I should probably listen to her advice. I did ask for it, after all. And Carrie is usually right about these types of things.

But what if she's wrong?

I give myself a deadline to decide: by the time I get home, I need to make up my mind.

My commute home that day is one of the most torturous commutes ever. I go back and forth so many times that my head starts to hurt. In the end, though, I decide that it’s just too much of a risk. I can’t do it. As much as I want to, I can’t.

When I walk into the apartment building, I decide I need to tell him right away. I need to put an end to this as swiftly as possible. I ride the elevator up to his floor. My heart is beating like mad. I’m don’t want to have this conversation. I’m really not looking forward to it. But it’s necessary. For both our sakes, I have to do this.

The elevator doors open. And there's Anthony. He looks surprised to see me, then happy.

“Layla,” he says.

“I was coming up to see you,” I say.

“Not to complain, I hope?” he says, the corner of his mouth curving up.

“No, but I—”

Anthony steps into the elevator and gives me a kiss. And just like that, I melt into his arms. The elevator doors close behind us. Anthony wraps his arms around me.

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