Page 13 of In the Lonely Hour

Layla laughed softly as she looked out of the window. It was beautiful out even though the sun hadn’t begun to set, which was her favorite time of day.

“I think I talk like this nowbecauseof her. If I don’t ask her stuff, she won’t want to talk about anythingexceptwhat she wants to talk about. It’s a hard habit to break.”

“February twentieth. I’m a Pisces if you’re into that shit.”

“I’m a Cancer, which is funny because based on our birthdays we would definitely be a good fit.”

“Aw yeah?” She nodded. “How so?”

“Well… I’m emotional, big hearted, and sensitive, and I think Pisces are too. We’re usually the strong ones and nurturers in our relationships. Selfless. We could bring out the best in one another and finally be with someone who can give the energy they receive from us.”

Andres nodded. “I can agree with all of that.”

Silence found them for a while, and Layla grinned the entire time she looked out of the window. Andres shifted the conversation, asking her about herself and her past. She told him the basics about her… that she was thirty-four andthe oldest of two daughters. She went to school for hospital administration but dropped out to have Dior. Her parents were still alive and married.

As they talked about their hobbies and interests, they realized they had a couple in common. They both loved to read… just different genres… and they both loved comfort food. While Layla was into gardening and old TV shows, Andres preferred action movies, any kind of sport, and spending time with family. Admittedly, Layla couldn’t remember the last time she’d spent time with her family outside of the holidays. Her separation had her hiding from her loved ones out of shame. Now that they were working with Andres, Layla wanted to fix her relationship with her family as well.

When they arrived at the botanic garden, Layla’s eyes lit up just like Dior’s did at the sight of the turtle. It was funny because she’d lived in Memphis all her life, loved flowers, and had never gone to the botanic garden before. For some reason, she never had the courage to go alone, even though she knew it would be an amazing experience.

“Is this cool?” Andres checked, cutting his SUV off.

“It’s… perfect. Can you believe I’ve never been here before?”

His head tilted as his eyes widened slightly while he smiled. “No, I can’t believe that at all. I’m honored to be the one you experience this with for the first time, though.”

“I am too.”

Their eyes remained locked for a few seconds more before he got out and opened the door for her. After Andres purchased their tickets, they looked over the map to see what garden they wanted to start with first. Layla couldn’t resist wanting to go to the rose garden, so they started there. She could practically contain herself, feeling her frequency rise the more time they spent around the flower of love. Roses were said to have thehighest vibration of all, and Layla definitely felt her spirit lift the longer she was in their presence.

“You should take a picture here,” Andres suggested as they rounded the largest part of the garden by the fountain.

“I don’t know…” Her head shook softly as she looked down at the red maxi dress she was wearing.

“You’re a beautiful woman in a beautiful environment. You should capture this.”

“Okay, but you have to take one with me too.”

“Aight, I will.” Layla tried to hand him her phone but he declined. “Nah. I want to take it on my phone so I can have it. I’ll text it to you.”

As she blushed, he snapped. “Wait! I wasn’t ready.”

Andres smiled with a shake of his head. “That’s what made it perfect.”

He walked over to her and showed her the three pictures he took, and Layla had to admit they came out really good. Standing next to each other, she also had to admit how her body reacted to him—hardened nipples, palpitating heart, goosebumps over her arms. Andres looked down at her for a few seconds, mouth just a couple of inches away from hers.

“You ready?”

Unable to speak, she nodded.

Layla looked at the camera and smiled, but he continued to look at her. And that was what their first picture was composed of. The second was of her looking back at him. And the third… was of their lips pressed together.

Powerless to resist, Layla returned Andres’s kiss. Raw, wild need passed between them with each peck of their lips. He kissed her slowly, drugingly, with an intensity that was nothing like she’d ever experienced before. His tongue warred with hers, invading her mouth and keeping her captive so passionately she didn’t want to be free.

But… As much as Layla enjoyed the feel of his lips against hers, she pulled away. A sinking feeling filled the pit of her stomach as she ran her hands through her hair. Technically, she was separated, but her vows still felt permanent—no matterwhatCarlos was doing. It felt like she was cheating, and Layla had never been a cheater. Stepping away from him, she turned and began to pace.

“My fault,” Andres muttered. “I didn’t mean to get that deep. Just… can’t seem to stop wanting you.”

A small smile lifted the corners of her mouth before she confessed quietly, “I want you too.” Layla sniffled quickly. “But my situation… it’s messy. Carlos and I… we’re still technically married. Separated and soon to be divorced but… it hasn’t been finalized.”

---