Second Chances: Novella One Read Free Page B

Cameron that she would stay in hotel. At one time or another, she could have stayed with Evan, but that was unlikely now, especially after the appalling way she’d treated him the last time they met.
    Not wanting to dwell on that particular subject, Layla opened her eyes and opted to browse through the movie choices as a source of distraction for the next seven hours.
    ***
    As one of the first people off the plane, Layla claimed her Louis Vuitton cases with relative ease, and headed through the long corridor to the main arrival lounge. Weaving her way through the waiting mass of people, she tried to locate Cameron’s chauffeur, who she would recognise on sight. He had been in his employ for a while now.
    But it was a different man to the one she was expecting that stepped towards her. "Miss Keyes, it’s a pleasure to see you again."
    Her eyes focused on his face for a second; he seemed familiar. "Edward, is that you?" she asked. Edward Reynolds had been Evan’s chauffeur when they’d been a couple.
    "Yes, Miss Keyes. Mr. Carter directed me to come pick you up, as Mr. Barker’s driver was otherwise engaged," he explained.
    Layla stood frozen to the spot, contemplating why Evan would be gracious enough to send someone to collect her when she was certain he hated her. Moreover, how did he even know I was flying in at this particular moment? Random thoughts flashed through the girl’s mind until she felt someone take the luggage handle from her hand.
    "I’m to take you directly to the hospital, as arranged, to see your sister. Mr. Carter is already there with Mr. Barker.”
    Too shocked to do anything but nod, Layla followed the driver to the car.
    The drive from the airport to the small, exclusive hospital was over remarkably quickly. Ava had stayed at the same place when giving birth to her daughter, Jess. With the car parked, Layla exited the vehicle under her own steam, rather than waiting for Edward to open the door, and walked around to the back.
    Handing Layla her luggage from the boot, Edward told her, "I hope your sister recovers quickly. They are in room eight."
    "Thank you, Edward," she replied.
    With her heels tapping on the pavement, she walked past several paparazzi, who were lingering outside the building. They hurriedly snapped her picture as she turned into the entrance.
    The vultures were out early today, she mused. Layla normally considered the press following her to be a necessary evil in getting her clothing brand noticed, but seeing them lurking outside a hospital entrance annoyed her.  She presumed the possibility of taking a picture of two celebrity sisters together undoubtedly doubled their sale value.
    After speaking briefly to the receptionist for directions, Layla took a deep breath before making her way down an immaculately clean corridor, boasting well-dressed visitors and staff alike. The sound of a rumbling chuckle coming from inside the room stopped Layla in her tracks, a few feet away from the partially open door. It sent a tingling sensation running down her spine. His laugh.  
    As she walked through the doorway, the owner of the laugh was standing in front of her; that dark-haired Evan Carter that she could never forget. The same man who used to take her breath away every time he uttered her name. He would be about thirty-two now, she guessed. Even in her Louboutin heels, which added a few inches to her five foot, eleven frame, he was still taller.
    With his back to the middle of the room, Evan was looking out of the window at the side of Ava’s bed while chatting to Cameron. He wore a well-cut pair of navy chinos, with the hint of a cream, knitted collar beneath his fitted, mocha suede jacket. Each item designer has an equally exclusive price tag, no doubt.  
    Swallowing hard, Layla smoothed her clammy hands over her electric-blue, halter-neck dress and stepped further into the room. Even though she’d had the drive over from the airport to prepare for meeting Evan here, she