Layla and I were slowly drifting away from each other. Between our demanding jobs and raising two children, we hardly had time for ourselves, so that could be together. We were even just too busy just to sit down and have a decent conversation or catch up over dinner or a glass of wine. Things got worse when I started working at nights so that I could meet the deadlines and sent out reports and prep for meetings for the next day. By the time I got home, she was already asleep.

I was really frustrated by this and there was nothing I could do about it. She loved her job, and I love when she does things that make her happy. I felt neglected, and I know I also neglect her sometimes, we were both to blame.

I decided to grab lunch at a small deli across the street today, I just didn't feel like eating sandwiches for lunch. I could do with a proper double cheeseburger, and some air. Being cupped up all day in the office was tiring and suffocating. I asked Carla to take messages on my behalf and that I'll be back in an hour or so.

"Don't take long. You still have a lot of work to do", she warned as she threw a glare at me. I took three hours for lunch on one particular day, I lost track of time because I was enjoying being away from work so much, I didn't feel like going back. She was fuming red because she couldn't reach me, my phone also happened to be off, accidentally-on-purpose.

I found her waiting at the door of the building, with her arms crossed across her chest, tapping her foot angrily on the floor. "You said one hour", she spat. I was in a great mood when I came back. I just smiled and walked past her.

"I'm sorry Carly Carls", I called her by the nickname I just made for her. "It won't happen again. I promise".

From that day, I even had a timer when an hour passed by set on my phone, so that I knew it was time to go back to the office. My life was a living hell when Carla was mad at me, my coffee would be served cold, she would set up many meetings for me for the day and I would have a lot of paperwork given to me to last me a lifetime, all this in one day. I didn't want to get on her bad books. As much as Luke was my P. A, Carla did most of his work, I was even thinking of promoting her to be my secretary one of these days. I would be so lost without her.

I got to the deli and pushed the doors open. Then my eyes met an unforgettable sight. There was a young woman sitting at the counter, probably waiting for her order. She sat there patiently with her legs crossed, her gorgeous long legs. My eyes traveled up and down her body in awe. She was dressed in a dark blue tight fit, sleeveless dress that had a small slit beginning on her mid-thigh. She was wearing her long hair down. She looked really good man. I silently wolf whistled as I approached her, but then some random guy beat me to it as he sat down next to her and started talking to her. I was disappointed by this.

I sat beside them, with the lady sitting between me and the other guy and ordered a soda. She then turned to look at me and I gave her a short nod, which she responded with a small smile. That's when I realized the guy besides her was flirting with her with the most lame pickup lines I've ever heard. I had to hold back a laugh as I intentionally eavesdropped on their conversation.

She heaved a sigh as she rolled her eyes whilst she was talking to the other guy. I could see she didn't want to be mean to him but telling him where to get off and chose to entertain his whack flirting tactics. She was turning him down, being sarcastic here and there, my kind of woman. The other guy wasn't having any of that. I just had to take her out of her misery.

"Excuse me, miss?", my hand brushed against her arm and she was startled by this, and withdrew her arm towards her. She turned to look at me.

"What?", she spat and her brow raised. That's when I actually got to see her face clearly, she was really was beautiful.

"Are you doing anything tonight?", I asked, and she was taken aback by this as she looked at the other guy sitting beside her for a second before turning to look at me again

She hesitated for another second as she tapped her fingers on the counter top, she wasn't wearing a wedding band on her finger.

"Why are you interested to know that?"

"It's just that, it's been a while since I've had a home cooked meal", I said, and she twisted her lip to the side, clearly not getting where I was going with this and shrugged

"And what's that have to do with me?"

"I was hoping maybe you can come by my place later and cook for me", I smiled at her, and she looked at me in disbelief before laughing to herself

"Cook for you? Can't you cook for yourself?', her brow rose again, a smirk grew on my face. Feisty, I like her

"I can. It's just that I don't like eating alone", I sipped on my drink. She opened her mouth to say something, but the other guy spoke first.

"I'm sorry dude, we were in the middle of something here-",

"Just a second", she turned to look at him, interrupted him off and turned to look at me again

"So, just because you can't eat alone, you go around asking random women to cook for you?"

"There is nothing random about you", I said seductively before fishing for my keys in my pocket and placed them in her hand

"Those are keys to my place. The address is on the keyholder thingy so that you know where you're going", her lips were slightly parted in surprise as I was telling her this.

"I'll be back-", I checked my wristwatch. I had a meeting around 4pm. "-around 6pm and it would be a great pleasure to find you there", I said, and she nodded slowly like she was still digesting what I was saying to her, then let out a short laugh. The guy sitting next to her was totally pissed at this, his face was even starting to turn red at that moment.

"Let's say, I do agree to come to your place and cook for you", she air quoted as she spoke. "What's in it for me?"

"That's a really good question", I took another sip of my drink. "The answer to that question is really easy", I said, and she tilted her head and rose a brow, daring me to continue. I leaned to her, looking at her deep in the eyes, silence filled the space for a moment, building up the suspense.

"You get me and my awesome company ", I grinned, and she paused for a second, looking blankly at me

"I get you and your awesome company in return?", she asked to clarify, and I nodded my head then she laughed out loud

"Thanks, but I'm not interested", she said between laughs, dismissing me the other guy smirked at me

"We could do a lot of things after dinner", I said the moment she attempted to turn her face from me, grabbing her attention with both hands again the other guy literally cursed under his breath. She blinked at me and drew a breath.

"Things like what?"

"We could watch soapies or other shows on TV ", I said suggestively, and she scoffed mockingly

"I don't like watching soapies"

"How about a horror movie?"

"I don't like horror movies either", she shook her head

"Okay. How about a romance movie then?"

"Romance is good", her voice was softer now

"We could also watch it while eating ice cream", I suggested again and her eyes lit up. I quickly realized. "You like ice cream, don't you?", I questioned and face softened as her body was relaxed.

"I do, very much", she was warming up to me

"You like...", I searched for her eyes, to give some sort of clue of what her favorite ice cream could be. "Rum and raisin?", I asked, and she shook her head. "Um-", I paused to guess again. "How about the vanilla one with chocolate syrup and hazelnuts, Tin Roof?", I rose a brow, and she slowly nodded her head and a smile brightened on her face.

"It's my favorite"

"It also happens to be my favorite and I have it in my fridge", she bit her lip as I said that. "It just needs the two of us to indulge in it tonight"

She smiled before looking at the keys in her hand. "I think I may consider your proposal"

"So, 6pm?", I asked, and she nodded her head. "It's a date then", she smiled before she stood to her feet to sit on my lap. I cracked a side smile as I looked at the other guy, with his jaw dropped to the floor. She leaned to press her lips against mine and there were cooes, grasps and remarks from the people around us as we shared a passionate kiss. I smiled as we withdrew from the kiss, her hazel beautiful eyes locking with mine. I took out something from my pocket and held it against her face.

"You forgot your wedding rings on the bathtub again this morning", I said offering them to her, and she facepalmed

"It's the second time this month", she laughed nervously as I took her hand and slipped it on her finger

The guy who was sitting next to her, quickly stood to his feet when he realized what was going on and stormed out as soon as he could. Layla and I laughed at him. She bought her hand closer to her face, noticing her rings shining.

"You polished them, didn't you?"

"Guys like him won't even dare to talk to you when they see them shining on your finger", I said kissing her hand and she smiled before pecking me fully on the lips

"I'm surprised you didn't cause a scene and threaten to kill him like you normally do when some guys talk to me", she joked as she stood on her feet to walk to the empty table to sit at

"Why would I want to cause a scene when I know you're mine? ", I grinned at her, and she playfully rolled her eyes. "I just decided to play along"

"You're getting really good at this role-play thing", she gave an approving nod. "I'm impressed"

"I just happened to like the opening scene of that romance movie we were watching the other night. I wanted to play it out", I said, and she laughed.

"I noticed. That was really cute I must admit".

"Thanks", I smiled sheepishly

We had lunch almost everyday together. It was our time just to enjoy each other's company without worrying about work or the kids. It was my favorite part of each and every day, just to be alone with her.

"Are you picking Dylan up from after care today?", I asked while walking her to her car

"Yes I am", she answered as I held the car door for her, and she turned around to face me. "You're cooking tonight, right?"

"Only if we get to watch a movie that's not a romance or chick lit movie afterwards", I pointed out, and she pouted her lip in disappointment

"Okay", she was about to get into her car but stopped, a mini frown playing on her face,

"Wait, do we have ice cream for tonight?", she asked, and I chuckled, I thought it was something serious, but that's my Layla for you

"Of course we do, baby", I said, and she smiled adorably

"I'll see you tonight then", she kissed my cheek before giving me my house keys back.

"I'll look forward to that"

"I love you, Mr Kingsley"

I smiled. "I love you more, Mrs Kingsley"

****

Hey my beautiful people♡. I just wanted to give you one last taste of the book, just one more time😪. What did you think?😅

Thank you for the love you've been showing and the positive comments🔥. It's been real y'all ♥Remeber to check out my other book, Matters Of The Heart

Happy reading! ♡