As I grieve, I hear footsteps coming my way. Softly they approach, with a low feminine whimper. “You must Ben.” I look up at the beautiful woman and know instantly. The tears in her eyes match mine. I’m not sure what to say to her so all I can do is accept her into my arms.
“Madelyn. I’m so sorry.”
“Finally, I get to talk to you in person. I was always curious why he had to keep things from me. You especially. You don’t keep family away. I would get so mad at him. Not that it mattered, he was so charming and sweet I could never stay mad at him long. When I heard he was being moved, I asked for them to let me know when you were here. I thought we should meet before I leave the country. It’s too hard being here, I need to go do something where I can actually help people.” I don’t know what to say to her, so I simply take her hand, realizing Luca did find the right one for him. “He left me everything you know, I am more than happy to give it to you. It’s not right for me to have it.”
“It is right. He wanted you to have it, the life insurance should keep you set for a long time.”
“You should at least …”
“I don’t need it, do what you planned, what you and Luca planned. That’s what’s right.” I assure her.
“Okay but I need to at least give you one thing back.” She takes out my grandmother’s ring from her purse and holds it out to me. “He said his mother gave it to you and you were kind enough to give it to him so he could propose to me with it. Your mother wanted you to have it. I have the memories I need of him, I don’t need to take your mother’s too.” She hands it back to me and kisses my cheek. “Give it to someone that Luca would approve of, don’t let it gather dust in the back of a drawer. Promise me.”
I nod, “I promise.”
“Good. I wish we had more time, but I have to go. I have a flight tonight I have to prepare for. It was good to finally meet you, Ben.” She leaves me with a warm embrace and a promise to let me know if she ever needs anything, anything.
For an instant I feel Luca standing with me and smiling that knowing smile of his. You’re a fool Ben.
My head is spinning in so many different directions. I don’t know what to think anymore. When I get home, I stare at the new message that I am too afraid to listen to when her song comes on the radio. A sign maybe. Of what, I’m not sure. I sit back and sing, “Layla …,” planning my day, and hopefully finding a way to that stupid hotel she has returned to. She’s left that door open every night since she got there, and I crave jumping that railing to get to her. I just hope it’s still open tomorrow night because it’s time for us to talk.
CHAPTER 33
Laila
I say my goodbyes to Henry with a great dinner that I prepared for him.
“I can’t believe I am going to say this, but this is actually really good. It looked questionable, but it is good.” Henry laughs at my crazy looking dish.
“I told you. I learned this one meal, and while it looks funny, it tastes great.”
“Have you been watching the cooking channel or did you learn this in the military?”
“No, Ben taught me.”
“Oh. So have you talked to him since his release?”
“I tried, but he won’t return any of my calls. I guess he can’t get over the idea of me helping him get out.”
“He’s finally getting a chance to mourn his brother too, you know?”
“I know. Either way, I’m glad everything’s working out better for him. It’s an outcome that I can live with.” I barely get the words out when the there’s a knock at the door.
“Oh yeah, I invited a friend of yours over. I hope you don’t mind?” Henry stands, sliding his hands into his pocket, waiting for me to answer the door.
I open the door to find flowers. “I’m not sure if this is appropriate, considering our relationship, but I couldn’t resist hoping,” Cole says, walking in with a gentle kiss.
“They’re beautiful. Thank you.” The three of us enjoy a great dinner and lots of laughs over old times. It’s a great night, and at the end, I sit alone with Cole talking about nothing. “It’s getting late, and I still have a lot of packing to do,” I remind him, feeling uneasy about being alone with him.
“Yeah, I heard you were leaving town for a while. I wish you would give me a chance, Laila. I have changed a lot over the years, grown up a lot, and I love you more than anything.”
“I love you, but I’m not sure what I want right now.”
“I understand, but you know, Laila, unless you make a move to change your life, it’ll never change. I want to be the change that makes your life great. I would leave here tomorrow for you, and you know how much I love it here.” A gentle, genuine smile softens his face. He leans in, and when he kisses me, I feel a great weight lift off my shoulders. Still, I need to know how much he’s willing to accept who I am. “I’m not the same person I was when we were kids, Cole.”
“Maybe not, but I think you have to be honest with yourself and realize that, sometimes, things work out just as they are supposed to. We have been meant to be since we were kids. Yes, we’ve changed but only for destiny to bring us together again. Our lives moved so fast and so far away from each other to only bring you right back where you are, where you’re supposed to be. Destiny finds a way to bring you to the person you’re supposed to be with. You just have to be willing to take a chance. Grab the opportunity, Laila, and don’t let go. I want to be that opportunity for you, and I firmly believe you’re mine.” I spend a little more time with him, considering his offer and our potential life together with a promise to call him with my answer before I go.
I have been staying at my old room at the hotel for a week. As always, my balcony doors remain open. It’s a nice separation from all of the advice and encouragement from people who don’t understand at all. I am also hoping I will see him come over that balcony. I thought I saw him a few times, but the shadow disappeared without a word. I have dreamed about him every night, only to wake to dog kisses instead. It’s clear Ben wants nothing to do with me. I even tried to give him his car back, but still no word. I should let him go. I sit at the edge of the bed and stare out at the street, recalling memories, when I realize Cole was right.
Determined, I grab my phone and take a deep breath before calling him. “Hi. It’s me, and I have something I need to say to you. I’ve decided to change my world, and I want you to help me change it. Somebody told me that destiny finds a way to bring you to the person you’re supposed to be with, and I don’t regret not taking hold of the opportunity that’s been given me. I hope you don’t either.” Tears stream down my face as I swallow hard and take hold of the opportunity. “I know you probably don’t want to leave here, but I don’t want to leave without you. I’m leaving at nine in the morning, with or without you. If you don’t show, well, we will live separate lives. Either way, I will always love you.” I end the call breaking down fully at the side of the bed, holding onto hope when a familiar tune comes on the radio. I used to hate this song, but I have grown to love it. I sit back singing, “Layla …”
Let it go, Laila. Just let it all go.
The morning comes quickly, a little too quickly after a long night of questioning my decisions. I wake up though, ready to move forward no matter what. I have the car packed and ready.
“Going somewhere? Do you want some company?” I turn and smile. “Hey, Beautiful. I was afraid you wouldn’t say goodbye.”
“I would never leave without saying goodbye to you.”
Cole sighs, “I was really hoping you would change your mind though. I guess you didn’t.”
“No, I really need to start over, and I don’t think I can do that here, not right now. Everywhere I look is a memory, and I need to be able to move past those memories. I still love you though.”
“Yeah, just not the way you love him? Right?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m sorry. I considered your offer, I really did, but I can’t let go of him.”
“So
where is he?” I shrug, and he wraps his arms around me. “You deserve better. Come find me when you want someone who is right for you.” I nod, realizing, wrong is really what I wanted all along. “I love you. Be careful and let me know you made it to wherever you’re going.”
“I will.” One last kiss on the cheek, a hug, and he waves me off as I get in the car and drive away. I get just over the hill and see something at the bus stop down the street. He’s outstretched with his legs resting on his bag, his sunglasses on, and a look of cool confidence that I know well. I slow down next to him. “Going somewhere?”
“I was thinking about it, but then I saw Daisy and I wasn’t so sure. I really can’t stand that guy.” He pauses for a second before turning his head towards me and lowering his sunglasses. “So where are we going, Tiger?” I jump out of the car and run to jump into his arms, which is exactly where I want to be. His lips greet me with the love that I have missed.
“I don’t care where we go, as long as I am with you.”
“If that’s the case, then we could stand at this bus stop forever. That might get kind of boring after a while.”
“Then let’s go where destiny takes us.”
He nods. “I like that. I hear it’s a good place, destiny.”
“What made you change your mind?”
“I finally realized I love you like I could never love anyone else.” A gentle kiss turns much deeper, and my body wants more. “Let’s go, Tiger. The sooner I get to take you to our new bed, the better.” He follows me to the car. “Oh, look, the car you stole from me.”
“I didn’t steal it. I found it.”
“You mean like the money you found?”
“Yeah, just like that.” I smile, and he matches it, sliding in next to me.
“Harrison!” Harrison lunges over the seat and drenches Ben’s face in slobbery kisses that may rival my own excitement. Ben settles the goofy beast and reaches for the license I finally got back. I slide the gold colt with the mother of pearl handle under my seat as he gives me a roll of the eyes. “Is there anything you didn’t take on your way out?”
“What? I found it?”
“You’re a criminal,” he says with a shocked expression.
“We make a good pair then,” I reply, enjoying his smile.
“I love you,” he says, kissing me until Harrison realizes he is being left out of the loving and shoves his snout between us, licking us both. “Harrison! I love you too, boy.” I pause, trying to contain my happiness as I look over him. “What are you waiting for, Laila? Drive. Destiny awaits.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
@JenniferLorenDE
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Table of Contents
Undercover
Books By Jennifer Loren
Acknowledgements
Prologue
Chapter 1
Laila
Chapter 2
Laila
(Untitled)
Chapter 3
Ben
(Untitled)
(Untitled)
Chapter 4
Laila
(Untitled)
(Untitled)
Chapter 5
Laila
(Untitled)
Chapter 6
Ben
Chapter 7
Laila
Chapter 8
Ben
(Untitled)
Chapter 9
Laila
(Untitled)
Chapter 10
Ben
Chapter 11
Laila
(Untitled)
Chapter 12
Laila
(Untitled)
(Untitled)
Chapter 13
Laila
(Untitled)
Chapter 14
Ben
(Untitled)
Chapter 15
Laila
(Untitled)
Chapter 16
Laila
Chapter 17
Ben
(Untitled)
Chapter 18
Laila
(Untitled)
(Untitled)
(Untitled)
Chapter 19
Laila
Chapter 20
Ben
(Untitled)
Chapter 21
Ben
(Untitled)
Chapter 22
Laila
(Untitled)
Chapter 23
Ben
Chapter 24
Laila
(Untitled)
(Untitled)
Chapter 25
Ben
(Untitled)
Chapter 26
Laila
(Untitled)
(Untitled)
Chapter 27
Ben
Chapter 28
Laila
Chapter 29
Ben
Chapter 30
Laila
(Untitled)
(Untitled)
Chapter 31
Laila
(Untitled)
(Untitled)
Chapter 32
Ben
(Untitled)
(Untitled)
(Untitled)
Chapter 33
Laila
(Untitled)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Loren, Undercover - Secrets & Lies
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