Counting Sheep

Chapter 21

Hey everybody! I am BAAACK! And, I have got a NEW chapter for you. I am so excited for you guys to read this one...lemme just say. I am in California now so hopefully I will be able to get more and more writing done now. Thank you guys for being so patient and SO amazing. I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter and the song for this chapter was hard to pick, but I like this song so I just figured it would be good. 'The Hills by The Weeknd'. I'll update soon! You are awesome. Just know, I love you. XOXO -Hannah.

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CHAPTER 21: Layla walked into the restaurant, wondering partly what she was doing while the other part was urging her to do this even as all she wanted to do was walk out and find somewhere that she could sit and cry.

She pushed the thoughts from her mind with a mental heave.

She needed to do this.

It was monumental to her moving on from Julian, a man who she had come to love, only to realize he could never love her back and that he didn't have the feelings for her that she had for him. It was a hard and bitter pill to swallow, but she knew it was the truth.

It had to be...right?

Her nerves were firing into overdrive and before she knew what she was doing, she was asking where the women's restroom was.

Once there, she was glad to find it empty and was surprised at how over-the-top it was decorated.

A mixture of marble and granite, with gold trim on everything.

She made her way over to the sink and stabled her hands on it and hung her head as she took in deep breaths. Finally, after her breaths had calmed, she looked up into the mirror with weary eyes, examining her appearance.

She looked pretty, she supposed.

Sydney had given her all to make her look as prim, sexy and elegant as possible. But to Layla? It felt...wrong.

Like she was lying to not only Daniel, but to herself.

Her hair was curled into thick waves and her makeup was flawless, her eyes smoky and her lips a pretty shade of nude that went well with her dusty rose colored satin wraparound blouse.

Her legs looked long with the shapely dark gray pencil skirt that fell to mid-thigh and she wore suede heels that had worried her instantly about her usually clumsy self.

So far, she hadn't fallen, though.

"What are you doing here?" She asked herself quietly.

Taking in a few more deep breaths, she forced the anxiety that knotted her stomach to lessen. This was good for her to be here. She needed to do this and there was a large chance she would end up loving her night with Daniel completely after she got through the first bit and after, she would laugh at how silly she had been to be so nervous. Reassured in her silent thoughts, she straightened her outfit and grabbed her clutch from the sink before walking out into the bustling French restaurant. She went up to the hostess who watched her with eyes that said she knew that she didn't belong here.

Just as Layla was going to ask if Daniel had arrived, she heard her name called and turned to find him standing from the booth in which he sat in. She sent him what she hoped was a radiant smile as she nodded at the hostess and weaved her way through the tables until she met him halfway.

He laid a hand on the side of her neck as he dusted his lips over her already-blushing cheeks. She laughed nervously as he pulled back.

"Hello, Daniel." She said with a soft smile, feeling uncomfortable as he continued to hold her hands.