Book 2: What Happens Here - Chicago (What Happens Here Series)

Chapter 41 - Layla

The next morning, Layla Moretti...um...Edwards now, smiled to herself as she lay in bed next to her husband. Daryl Edwards was her husband. She was still amazed by that fact, and when she lifted her left hand and stared at the flawless, three and a half carat, platinum princess cut diamond ring, she smiled as the morning sunlight hit the diamonds, causing them to sparkle.

Layla's attention returned to the love of her life as he lay asleep, and she allowed her eyes to roam over his magnificent body. Daryl Edwards was gorgeous. His rich, chocolate brown skin was smooth, yet hard, as defined and sculptured muscle lay beneath the surface. Although he was a pediatrician with his own private practice, he still found the time to run, lift weights, and swim on a consistent basis. And knowing that all of that gorgeousness was hers...for the rest of her life, brought tears to Layla's eyes.

Layla had met Ethan Daniels six years ago, when he'd set up a meeting with her regarding his desire to legally protect a chemical that he'd developed. During that initial meeting, he'd shared that his best friend was his partner, albeit a "silent one", in his landscaping business, E&D Landscape and Design. Over the next year, Layla had met with Ethan exclusively, because his partner, Daryl Edwards was a doctor and had very little interest in being involved in the day-to-day operations of the business.

A little over a year after she'd met Ethan, and after developing somewhat of a friendship with him, Ethan had informed her that Daryl would be joining him for their next meeting. There were some updates that she'd made to his contract, and she'd asked Ethan to meet her at her office after hours, so that she could get them expedited.

Layla had been working at her desk when she'd heard a knock on her office door. Knowing that it was Ethan, she'd instructed for him to come inside. When she'd stood, and began walking around her desk, she had been smiling at Ethan as he'd approached her, but the shock of seeing the extremely handsome man that accompanied him almost had her missing a step and falling on her face. She'd caught her balance by placing her hip against the edge of her desk, while still smiling as the two men moved to stand side by side in front of her.

Daryl Edwards' deep, and seductive baritone when he'd said, "Hello Ms. Moretti. It's nice to meet you", had Layla wanting to do some pretty naughty things to him, and right there on top of her office desk. Of course, she would have to kick Ethan out first because she was not an exhibitionist.

Dispelling her nasty thoughts about the handsome doctor, Layla had extended her hand to him as she'd said, "It's a pleasure to finally meet the other half of E&D Landscaping. Please call me Layla." When Daryl had just looked at her like a deer stuck in headlights, as if he didn't know what to say, Layla had shot Ethan a confused look. When Ethan had smiled and patted Daryl on the back and said, "Doctor Edwards here is a busy man, but I'm glad that he finally had a break in his schedule so he could come with me today", Layla had nodded before she turned her attention back to the man that was still staring at her.

Feeling as if she needed to continue initiating the conversation, Layla smiled as she'd said, "Ethan mentioned that you were a Pediatrician. Are you planning to start your own private practice?" That seemed to have brought him back into the moment, because whatever he'd been dealing with moments before seemed to have passed. Layla watched as Daryl had shifted his stance and cleared his throat, before he'd said, "Yes, I am actually. I've already spoken to a colleague of mine that is willing to branch off and start the practice with me, however, that will be a couple of years from now."

The next few hours she and Daryl had sat and discussed many things. After the meeting, she had laughed because she'd thought the meeting would have only lasted for 20 mins or so, but once she and Daryl had begun talking, it was as if they were the only two people in the room. At some point, Ethan had signed the documents, and had sat back and watched the two of them with a huge smile on his face. Later, he would admit to having played matchmaker with she and Daryl, and it was something that she would forever be grateful for.