Page 107 of The Life Experiment
Time remained frozen until Maya nudged Layla into action. Flustered, she tried to move forwards but stumbled. Even though he was too far away to catch Layla, Angus’s body jerked to steady her, but Maya got there first.
Turning to her sister, Angus watched Layla whisper something. Maya’s eyes darted to the crowd, picking through the funeralgoers one by one until she spotted Angus. Her eyes widened. Then, despite the events of the day, she smiled.
Ducking her head, Maya whispered feverishly to Layla. At one point, she even pointed to Angus.
Shit, he panicked, wondering how he could have got it so wrong. Of course he shouldn’t have intruded on Layla’s family and their grief, but it was too late now.
The sisters shared a look before Layla darted away from the crematorium. Angus watched her go. Instinct told him to follow her, but he was paralysed by the fear that he had really, truly fucked up. Again.
‘Layla must need a minute,’ the man in front of Angus said. The sudden interruption jolted Angus. He turned to hear the rest of the conversation, but his eye was caught by someone making their way towards him.
‘Maya,’ he said when she reached him. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset Layla. I just wanted to—’
‘Go,’ Maya interjected, jerking her head in the direction Layla fled. ‘I’ll give you two minutes. We’ve got big things to do today, aside from you two finally admitting you love each other.’
Angus stomach flipped. ‘Layla… Layla loves me?’
The comment earned him an eye-roll. ‘Honestly, for smart people you’re both pretty dumb,’ Maya said, before glancing back to Joanna. ‘You have two minutes before Layla needs to be back here. Go.’
Angus didn’t need telling again. He followed Layla, racing down pavements interspersed with moss and ducking through memorial gardens. Charging down a set of stone steps, Angus’s heart flipped when he saw Layla at the bottom of them. Head bowed, she was leaning a hand against a tree for support.
‘Layla,’ he called.
Spinning on her heel, Layla faced Angus. She blinked once, twice, then exhaled an unsteady breath. ‘I wasn’t sure if you were really here or if my imagination was playing a cruel trick,’ she croaked.
‘I’m here,’ Angus confirmed, taking the last of the steps. At the foot of them, so close he could see each of Layla’s freckles, Angus slowed. ‘I’m so sorry about your dad, Layla. I thought about messaging you, but I had to see you in person. I had to know you were okay.’
‘I’m not,’ Layla admitted, doing all she could to fight the wobble of her chin. ‘I’m not okay at all.’
‘That makes two of us,’ Angus joked weakly. ‘Layla, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t sure you’d want me to come today, but I couldn’t not. Even if there was a chance you’d kick me out, I had to be here for you.’
Layla’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Taking her silence as a good sign, Angus willed himself to keep going.
‘I know today isn’t about me or us, but I wanted to say I’m sorry. I never wanted to lie to you. I just wanted to be worthy of you. From the moment I met you, I was in awe. I’d have done anything to be near you. Gone anywhere you wanted, became anyone you liked, but I realise now that the only person you ever wanted me to be was myself. Well, here I am. Angus Fairview-Whitley, charity founder, fuck-up and all-round okay person who is trying to be better. I should have introduced myself as him from day one. I’m sorry it took losing you to make that happen, and I’m sorry for all the hurt along the way.’
‘You’re sorry?’ Layla echoed. ‘Angus, I’m the one who should apologise. I didn’t give you a chance to explain, then I stood you up.’
‘None of that matters, Layla. Not after what I did. A few cross words and a bit of ghosting is the least I deserve,’ Angus replied, but Layla shook her head.
‘It does matter, Angus. I’m sorry too. I never should have run away or kept you at arm’s length.’ Tears spilled down Layla’s cheeks, each one a hammer to Angus’s heart.
‘Layla, I don’t care about the past,’ he said, stepping closer. ‘I just care about you. What can I do to help you get through today?’
A sad, startled laugh made Layla choke. ‘You want to help me after how I acted?’
‘Yes. All I care about is being beside you. If you would like me there, that is,’ Angus replied, then he bit his lip. ‘I know this isn’t the most romantic time or place, but I need to tell you something. Something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while now. I love you, Layla.’
Shock coloured Layla’s expression. ‘You love me?’
‘I do. So much. I love everything about you. Even the fact that you burn risotto.’ At this, Layla laughed tearfully. ‘I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you through this,’ Angus continued. ‘I’m sorry—’
‘Don’t,’ Layla said, eliminating the space between them. ‘We’ve both apologised enough. I don’t want to look back anymore. I only want to look forward. To the future. Our future.’
With a coy smile, Layla took Angus’s hand in hers. Her other hand rested on his chest, feeling his racing heart beneath her palm.
Swallowing hard, Angus tucked a stray strand of hair behind Layla’s ear. She was so close now, all he had to do was lean in…
And for the first time in his life, Angus Fairview-Whitley didn’t listen to doubt or worry. Instead, he trusted. He leaned in.
