Loves Deception

Chapter 22

"Layla!" She turned at the sound of her name. She had just paid the cover charge to get inside the club and was heading to the bar to meet her coworkers. She searched the crowd and caught sight of Ethan's arm waving in the air. She smiled. Whatever happened between them would happen. Besides, she needed a date for her best friends wedding. Two birds, one stone.

As he approached her she noticed he cleaned up very well. He was damn FINE. His blonde hair was freshly cut and shaped his head. His green eyes sparkled with excitement. He wore a fitted shirt that stretched across his massive chest and designer jeans. He looked good dressed down. When he reached her he enveloped her into a hug. His strong arms wrapped around her briefly and she was almost mad that he pulled away too soon. "Just benefits" she chided herself mentally. He stared down at her and she smiled. "Hi. Ethan. How are you?" "I'm great. I'm glad you made it." His eyes roamed over her. "Wow. Layla bmp hmm you look stunning!" She wore a leopard print cashmere sweater with a plunging front that showcased her girls. The jeans she wore clung to her hips and ass and wrapped around her legs in a skinny leg fit and thigh high booted heels covered her feet. She wore minimal makeup opting for peach gloss on her lips and light eye shadow with mascara. Her freshly permed hair fell over her shoulders in big long curls. "Thanks, you clean up well yourself." she returned the compliment. "Come on, let's grab a drink and settle in. It's packed tonight!" he yelled over the crowd. Before she could respond he grabbed her hand in his and whisked her to the bar. He ordered them both drinks and escorted her to their seats. As they approached the table they were greeted by the rest of the group. "Hey girl, glad to see you made it." Greeted Jada and Paige the female coworkers who she accompanied shopping earlier today. "What's up ladies" she waved and gave each a hug. They had really bonded during their shopping trip. She learned a lot about them and could honestly say they were good people. "That top looks even better on you then it did on the mannequin" Paige said. "I told her she looks amazing" Ethan interjected. She smiled and thanked them both. They settled in and everyone chatted around the table. Topics ranged from work gossip, art, politics, and relationships.The band started playing, signaling the start of the show and the chatter around the club died down as the first entertainer graced the stage.

During the performances Ethan casually placed his hand on the back of her chair and whispered in her ear asking if she was enjoying herself. She smiled up at him. She genuinely was. Her best friend was right. She needed to relax and it felt good.

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"Ethan thanks, but you didn't have to treat me to dinner." Layla said over the table. They were at the Waffle house. After the club closed at two her coworkers decided to head to another one. She opted out. Ethan choose to follow her lead and they had ended up here. "I hardly call this a treat. Hopefully I'll get the chance to wine and dine you on a real date." Ethan said teasingly. She said nothing only wiggled her eyebrows and smiled. The waitress arrived and they placed their orders and chatted over coffee."So. The mysterious, quiet, hardworking, beautiful! Layla." Ethan said sitting back examining her. She shook her head and grinned. "Is that me?" She asked coyly. "Heck yeah. Girl you don't know how long I've been crushing on you." He said openly. "Really?" she feigned ignorance and laughed. "Its just something about you. You move delicately and your quietness adds to the allure" he joked. "Wow. No one has ever used that line on me before. I'm impressed" They shared a laugh and he grew somber. "I wasn't trying to run a line on you Layla. You are beautiful, and calm... You make people want to get to know you. Be your friend." He grabbed her hand and caressed it. She smiled uncertainly at him. Just as their food arrived she pulled her hand back. They ate in silence for a few minutes. "Tell me about you Layla. Everything. What brought you here?" He asked pointing at her with a French fry. She sipped her drink and cleared her throat. "Um. What do you mean by everything?" She asked cautiously."Just the basics. Who you are? What you like?" he laughed. "Oh... OK." She relaxed a little. "Well. You know my name. I'm twenty eight. I'm originally from Florida. I studied at CSU in Atlanta. I got my degree in Health Administration and I moved to Chicago where I've been pursuing my career ever since." She breathed deeply. Ethan laughed heartedly. "Hey, this isn't a job interview. Loosen up. I just want to know about you as a person. What you do for fun...Why you look sad most times. You have a big heart and I'd hate to think that someone broke it." He said sincerely. Layla sighed and smiled sadly. "I like books. Reading is my escape. I love music. Any kind. As long as it speaks to me. I like movies. Horror is my favorite even though I'm a scaredy cat." She joked. "I like poetry as you know. I enjoy trying new foods. And I'm mostly a homebody, but I enjoy the outdoors. That's about it." she said lifting her shoulders. "What about family?" "A mom and step dad, grandma and pop, two brothers, eight nieces and nephews and a best friend more like the sister I never had." She added chuckling at his expression. "That all sounds wonderful. You just seem so down to earth. But. You forgot something" she lifted her brows. "What?" "A relationship. Are you seeing anyone, because you are to stunning to be single. Not that I'm complaining." He rushed to say. She laughed. "Thanks. And no. No relationship right now." She glanced away and became solemn. He gave her a few minutes. "What happened?" he asked quietly. She inhaled deeply. "You know the cliché. We were young and in love. Thought it would last forever." She shrugged her shoulders. "We grew apart." She said smiling sadly. "I'm sorry. How long has it been?" "Hm. About seven years and a half years... We broke it off and I received the job offer here a week later... I had nothing left there so I moved on." "That's understandable. You did what was best for you." Ethan said. She nodded absently. They were quiet for a moment. "So. Your turn. Spill it mister." "OK. OK. Let's see. I like the outdoors? Avid sports fan, all." They laughed. "I read occasionally, exercise, work. Of course, and I love volunteering. I come from a huge family. Mom and Pops, three brothers, four sisters, and a slew of nieces and nephews. Born and raised in Chicago. Attended the University studied the same as you." His eyes clouded and he stiffened. "Last relationship was two years ago. Let's just say it ended badly." She nodded. She of all people understood."She slept with my best friend. Got pregnant and he ditched her." He scoffed. Layla gasped. "Oh. That's. That's... wrong." She said mortified. "The both of them. Just a damn shame." she sucked her teeth and shook her head. "Yeah. She never had the baby though. Got rid of it. Truth be told I don't know who the dad was him or me." Layla's mouth hung open. She was speechless. "Any who, I've been real careful with my heart since then." He patted his chest. Layla still sat speechless. After going through what she did, the mere thought of someone aborting a baby willingly sickened her."So do you want or have any kids?" He asked. She snapped her attention to him. "Ah...No." She said absently. He chuckled. "No to both?" He asked. She refocused on him. "Yes. I mean no. I mean." She snapped her mouth shut and took a breath. She tried again "Yes, I want children and no..." she paused."I don't have any." Ethan shook his head. "That's cool. Well you still have time. We're still young." He teased and she smiled half heartedly. Suddenly thinking of him and his life without her.