Layla Read Online Free PDF Page B

window. I took the opportunity to stare at him, seeing the sunlight highlight his features through the window. His eyes shined under the illumination. They were blue, but unique in a special way. They were darker, more vibrant than they should be. It was like he was wearing contacts. I’d never seen such beautiful irises in my life.
    I dropped my gaze, realizing I was gawking. “I went out to dinner with my friends.”
    “That sounds like fun. Are you close?”
    “They are my two best friends.”
    He nodded. “Friends are the family we choose to have.”
    I smiled, remembering the way they protected me from John. He was a scary man, someone that didn’t have a problem hitting women, and they stood beside me and refused to abandon me. They were the greatest girls I knew. “That’s very true.”
    “Tell me about them,” he said, turning his gaze back to me.
    “Well, Janet works as a human resources director for a law firm. She loves it even though it can be dull sometimes. She and I are running buddies. If we don’t go together, we don’t go at all. She makes the best grilled cheese sandwiches. Cassie is a natural beauty. She’s vibrant and lively, easy to talk to. She always knows everything about politics, even though she never talks about it because she gets too aggressive, and she doesn’t take shit from anyone. I love them both.”
    He nodded. “They sound pretty great.”
    “I like them—most of the time.”
    Kyle chuckled. “What about your family?”
    “What about them?”
    “Tell me whatever comes to mind .”
    I sighed. “I never knew my mother. She left a long time ago. My dad and I aren’t close. He lives in California. We talk on the holidays and my birthday. There’s not much of a story there.”
    “Are you an only child?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Are you a spoiled brat?” he said with a smile.
    “Do I act like a spoiled brat?”
    “You’re pretty stubborn and heard-headed, but not spoiled.”
    “Damn right. My dad has never been rich. He taught me the value of a dollar.”
    Kyle leaned back in the chair and stared at me, his fingers drumming the table. His head was titled to the side slightly, like he was thinking. When he was in thought, he pressed his lips together slightly. They looked soft and wet. “What do you for fun?”
    “I read and write when I’m alone. I like to run in marathons, hang out with my friends, sing karaoke when I’m drunk, that’s about it.”
    “You like to run marathons?”
    “Half marathons,” I said quickly. “I would probably faint if I had to do the whole thing.”
    He nodded. “And what do you like to sing for karaoke?”
    “The last song I sand was “Baby Got Back”.
    Kyle laughed loudly, a smile on his face. “That’s awesome.”
    “My friends were thoroughly embarrassed. ”
    “Because you stole the show, that’s why.”
    “No, I was pretty embarrassing. I don’t drink very often, but when I do, I get a little crazy.”
    “So you’re a fun drunk?”
    “I’m more…spontaneous.”
    “Spontaneity is always good.”
    The waitress came to our table and we ordered our lunch. Kyle ordered a sandwich and a salad and a glass of water. He was polite and smiled at the waitress warmly, making her blush. When she walked away, she giggled quietly, but I heard it. When I glanced around the restaurant, I saw a few women gawk at him. I knew he was attractive but now I realized he was a magnet for attention.
    Kyle drank from his water, staring at me the whole time, and then returned it to the table. “So were you born in California?”
    “Yes, I was.”
    “In San Francisco?”
    “No. I lived in a small town but I moved for college. I loved living there. The people were always interesting, the food was amazing, and the nightlife was awesome. I definitely had my greatest memories living in San Francisco. I even won season tickets to the Giants and went to every game. The box seats were awesome.”
    “You like baseball?” he asked with a