If only there wasn’t something big holding me back.

Layla.

I couldn’t leave without her.

8: Layla

The whole house seemed to be one huge buzz as Mum engrossed herself with organizing Milton’s party.

“I want to make sure this is the best event I’ve ever put together. Milton has done so much for me over the years, I want this party to be spectacular, something he’ll always remember.”

The sparkle in her eyes was testament to how excited she was and having an open check book didn’t hurt either. As the wife of one of the wealthiest men in Australia, Alice Forbes had become accustomed to the finer things in life, things she would never have been able to afford before marrying Milton.

“Well, if judging by the number of people that have been in and out of this place in the last few days, it seems you’re planning to upstage the Queen of England.”

She placed her hands on her hips and studied me for a moment before laughing as she shook her head.

“You always exaggerate, Layla. But you’ve just given me another idea. The Queen, huh?”

“Oh God, Mum, I didn’t mean it literally. You know Milton said he didn’t want a huge party. I think what you have going on here is already on a grand scale. Don’t get too carried away.”

“Too late,” Taylor said as she bounced into the kitchen. “This is going to be the party of the decade. I’ve seen some of the plans, and let me tell you—”

“Taylor, shush. Let’s not spoil it by giving too much away, okay.” Mum winked at her as if they were sharing a secret. It never ceased to amaze me how Taylor always managed to have inside information about everything. She was sharp, smart and very curious.

Mum tactfully changed the subject. “Have you figured out what you are wearing to the party yet, Layla? You’ll need something pretty.”

I rolled my eyes. “Ugh, no I haven’t. Do I really need a cocktail dress? Can’t I just wear the same one I wore to the ball?”

“Don’t be silly. I swear you are the only woman I know who hates buying a new dress. You’d better go shopping with Taylor or Sloane, because I expect you to look as beautiful as you did for the ball. Milton deserves the effort.”

“Sloane already has a new dress. She’s so excited to be coming as Grayson’s date that she rushed out after breakfast to get it,” Taylor informed us.

The blood drained from my face. This was getting real—Grayson and Sloane. How did he feel about it? I didn’t even want to think about it, let alone talk about it.

“I know. She called me straight after Dad invited her.” I tried to not sound grumpy, but I wasn’t sure I was successful. Sloane being Grayson’s date was doing my head in.

I busied myself by getting a bowl and filling it with muesli. I took great care in slicingstrawberries and bananas on top before finishing it off with a dollop of Greek yoghurt. Taylor and Mum carried on their discussion about flowers and music and everything else related to the grand party.

Feeling more and more like a stranger in my own home, I took my bowl out to the garden. I always felt so much better when I was outdoors and I just couldn’t stomach all the chirpiness around me anymore when it felt like my world was falling apart and I couldn’t even tell anyone. Not my best friend, not my mother nor sister. And definitely not the man causing this affliction.

“Layla, there you are,” Grayson’s deep voice reverberated through me. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you. Can I sit down?”

“Sure,” I said, avoiding his gaze and keeping my eyes glued to the large mug in his hand instead. “You really are addicted to caffeine. You of all people should know that it’s not good for you.”

He gave me a boyish grin. “I know. But of all the evils in the world, it’s probably one of the better one. And if it makes you feel any better, there are other things I’m more addicted to than caffeine.”

“Oh, really? Like what?”

“This is going to sound real cheesy.”

“Try me.”

He cleared his throat.

“I’m addicted to your smile . . . and the way I feel when I’m around you. That’s a ten on the cheesy scale, right?” He laughed. I loved the way his eyes crinkled at the corners. “Maybe eleven?”

“You could’ve been a songwriter,” I teased, not really knowing how to take that or what the correct response was. My mind was blank. Damn, I needed lessons in flirting.

His rich laugh helped me relax a little. I loved the sound of it because it came from a place deep inside that couldn’t be faked. I noted that he didn’t push for an answer.

Still smiling, he said, “You’ve chosen my favorite spot out here. Whenever I need to think I always sit here.”

“Funny, so do I.”

“What are you—” we both blurted out at the same time. His gaze captured mine and held it as he pulled his hand into mine.

“Lala, let’s not be awkward around one another, please.” His eyes glistened. “It’s difficult enough as it is, don’t you think?”

A lump had formed in my throat and I found it impossible to speak so I simply nodded my head.

Grayson’s expression turned serious. “I have an idea.”

The way his eyes turned bright blue and dimples appeared in his cheeks took my breath away. Grayson’s ideas were always really, really good.

“Yeah?” I replied warily, not wanting to give away the fact that my heartrate just sped up to Mach one proportions.

“Let’s go to London for a few days.” His voice was even and if I hadn’t noticed the small tick of his jaw, I would’ve thought he was joking.

“London?”

“Yeah, consider it a gift,” he drawled lazily. “I’ve been wondering what to get you for your twenty-first and graduation. A week in London together would be amazing, don’t you think?”

He watched for my reaction from under his impossibly thick, black lashes.

“Why London?” I asked, buying time to work through my surprise.

“I have a few things to tie up at Oxford, it seems like Dad isn’t doing to back down from the deal and let me be a doctor.” His expression suddenly saddened. “I want to tell my professor in person that I’m not coming back to complete my pediatric studies. It’s only fair since he put so much effort into teaching me and helping me get the scholarship.”

I swallow hard. Watching the pain on his face was killing me. “You got a scholarship?”

So damn proud of him and yet hurt that he hadn’t told me earlier, I chewed slowly on another mouthful of muesli. Grayson didn’t need a scholarship, but working hard enough to earn one would be his way of proving his worth.

“I did. Didn’t want to use my parent’s money for my education. The plan was to pay it forward when I qualified by setting up a few more scholarship for future students.” He sighed heavily before taking another sip of coffee. With a sad voice he added, “But that’s not going to happen for me.”

Suppressing the urge to take his face in my hands and kiss him, I put down my spoon and bowl on the garden table and placed both hands under my ass to keep them from doing something silly. We’d spent hours in the past talking about our dreams and ambitions, being anything other than a doctor would slowly kill Grayson from the inside. How could any parent want that for their child? Especially someone as naturally gifted as Grayson.

“You’ve always hoped you’d be able to sway him when the time came. I’m so sorry—”

He shrugged. “I had a less than five percent chance of convincing him. I was always knew that, but I don’t regret a single minute of my training. Hopefully it will come in useful at some point in my life.” He laughed, but there was a touch of sadness to it that pulled at my heart.

Silence fell between us as we both withdrew into our thoughts. It wasn’t always necessary for us to talk when we were together, neither of us felt the need to fill the quiet with meaningless chatter.