53

“Of course. If you sat with me, no one will dare touch you.” Zayne said and pulled her along.

‘He really is inviting me to eat with him! Me! Why? Isn’t he the same person that always couldn’t wait for us to go our separate way? How did he suddenly change his mind overnight?’ Layla thought as her mind reeled to the conversation they had because of the previous day.

‘Did what I say really hit him more than I thought? Is this his way of trying to show me that he wasn’t going to be mean to—’

“Layla? Are you in there?” He asked, waving his hand in her face, and she snapped out of her thoughts.

“Uh… um… sorry I zoned out.” She mumbled.

“Sit.” He gestured to the table, and she sat opposite him as he did. Small gasps rose in the air, and the murmurs grew louder.

‘Ignore them. Ignore them.’ She told herself as she dropped her bag and stared at the crisp, beautiful tablecloth.

Two waiters were beside her before she could speak, took their orders, and left as swiftly as they had come.

‘I really