Second Chances: Novella One Read Online Free Page A

in order to give Ava the best chance of a full recovery. He must have done it out of his deep camaraderie for Cameron, rather than because of herself, Layla decided, feeling a sudden sadness that Evan would probably never do anything for her again. She knew it was a selfish thought to have but she couldn’t help herself. She just wanted him to love her again.
    Cameron began again, "I know you were expecting to stay with us until your house is completed, but I’ll now be sleeping here, so Evan has offered to let you stay with him until Ava comes out of hospital, rather than you being bored in our big, old house alone."
    Layla’s eyebrows shot up in surprise and her heart raced at the idea. It did make sense to stay there, rather than burdening an already occupied Cameron, but her mind was a whirl with trying to fathom why Evan would offer such a thing.
    She had been so continuously rude to him, before discovering the truth about Caggie’s dirty tricks to keep them apart, that she couldn’t imagine him wanting her in his house for an extended period of time. Layla wondered if he had discovered Caggie’s deception? Could she dare to hope that he had helped Cameron get Ava into the hospital, so he’d have an excuse to offer her a place to stay, giving them some time alone to talk properly? She didn’t have time to consider the possibilities further as Evan re-entered the room.
    Layla thought he must have guessed they had been talking about him because his eyes shifted to her face. Though Evan’s expression was unreadable, his body language held a hint of stiffness. He probably believed she hated the idea of spending time with him and wanted to retract the offer. 
    In a bid to reassure him, Layla ran her finger over her nose. It was a simple, yet effective gesture that she knew he would understand instantly, without any words passing between them. Years ago, when they had to attend business and charity dinners together, they had thought up a signal she could use to reassure Evan that she was fine and didn’t feel out of her depth.
    "I understand from Cameron that you’ve offered to put me up while Ava is in here. If you’re sure it won’t be putting you out, I’ll gladly accept,” she told him.
    Evan’s eyes flickered in recognition of her signal. "You won’t be putting me out." Despite his stiff body language, his voice was soft.
    The three of them chatted about trivial things for the next thirty minutes or so, until Layla could no longer fight her jetlag and stifled a yawn. Taking her cue, Evan asked, "Shall we go?"
    "Sure," she answered, trying her best to remain calm.
    Collecting their luggage, Layla and Evan bid farewell to Cameron, after he reassured her that he would call in the morning with an update on Ava.
    Evan led the way out, pulling Layla’s case on its wheels. Giving Cameron a backward glance, he gave her a thumbs-up sign. Rolling her eyes in response, Layla took a deep breath and followed Evan out the door.
    Evan
    His initial nerves getting the better of him, Evan walked ahead taking long strides. All he could think about was the chance to be alone with Layla, with her long bare legs in that dress. The same legs he had caressed countless times when he’d woken up to find them entangled with his own.
    He had barely been able to concentrate earlier, with the safety of a third person in the room. Now it was just the two of them, Evan was going to have to school his train of thought on to less dangerous ground; otherwise it was going to be a very uncomfortable few days.
    Yes, emotional distance was what he needed. Be polite and friendly, but reserved for now. How hard could it be?  
    As they approached Evan’s Jaguar XKR-S, he clicked the remote for the central-locking system remote so that Layla could settle into the passenger seat. A whistling sound drew his attention to her lips.
    “ Nice wheels,” she said. “I see your penchant for flashy two-seaters hasn’t dwindled.”
    Evan could not