It has been a very long day, but I was finally able to finish the magazine cover.

"Hey Layla. Do you want to go out to dinner?" Looking up from my work I see my other good friend Darlene.

"Sorry hon. I can't, Kiran is in town, and we are meeting for dinner at seven."

"Kiran's in town?" She asks surprised.

"He is and he brought his new fling so Layla can meet her." Michelle adds walking into my office.

"What? Are you freaking serious?" Darlene glances at me with a cocked brow.

"Yeap." Popping the p.

"Oh honey..." Darlene looks at me with sympathy.

Glancing between the two I sigh. They know my feelings for Kiran.

"Yeah well, she is just another one of his flings. Nothing to worry about. I mean, it is not like they are getting married and all..." And just thinking about him marrying someone else makes me sick to my stomach.

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*Layla's Outfit for dinner*

Pulling up to the valet I see that it is five before seven. "At least I am not late." I tell myself.

Kiran always likes to be on time for everything and for everyone to do the same. Unlike me who tries to make it a point to be there with just a few minutes to spare.

"Good evening mam." The valet attendant greets with a smile as he opens my door.

"Good evening." Stepping out of the car carefully since I am wearing a dress and high heel boots. I know Kiran is going to freak out seeing me in a dress. I was always a tomboy growing up and loved wearing jeans or shorts. A skirt on me was a 'sighting' as he calls it... strange and rare. But as I got a bit 'older' and because of my career, I dress more proper but still love anything comfortable.

Handing me the valet ticket I make my way to the entrance of the restaurant. Kiran and I love this place. I still remember the first time he brought me here with his parents back in sixth grade. They would come almost every Friday for a family dinner and once Kiran and I became closer, I was expected to come.

"Welcome to Red Rose, how many?" The hostess asks when she sees me.

"I am here with the Dr. Ev-..." I begin to tell her until a familiar voice calls my name.

"Layla!" Looking up, my breath catches in my throat... Kiran.

Have you ever stopped breathing because you see a piece of chocolate cake that looks so delectable or a hot guy that is walking by you that you just want to reach out and touch? Well, that is how I am feeling at this very second, seeing my best friend walking towards me.

Standing still he rushes over to me with arms open wide embracing me in a very tight hug. "Short stuff." Whispering in my ear as he holds me tightly to his body.

"Ky bear." Whispering the nickname, I call him.

It felt like time stood still. Nothing around me mattered more than to be standing in a tight embrace with him. God, I have missed him, and he smells so damn good that I am lost in my own senses.

Breaking apart slowly he looks down at me cupping my face with his strong hands. "God, I miss you short stuff. It has been too long." Smiling his signature smile that had always made me weak in the knees. Thankful he is holding me.

"I know Ky, it has been." Breathing out as we stare into each other's eyes. I missed his blue eyes that show every emotion he feels at the moment.

Stepping back, he grabs my hand. "Let's go to our table."

Nodding my head he leads us to the center of the restaurant still hand in hand. I missed holding hands with his. We did that every time we went out. I guess that is why people assumed we were dating.

"Here we are my lady." Letting go of my hand already missing the heat.

"Thank you, kind sir." Nodding as he pulls out the chair for me.

I begin unbuttoning my coat and was about to take it off until he offered. "Let me help you."

Standing behind me his body radiates his body heat making my body aware. I close my eyes once I feel his hands slowly taking off my coat. His fingertips for some reason grazes my skin.

Opening them I turn around and smile up at him. "Thank you. You know I could have done it myself."

Kiran gives me this stare then his eyes look at me from head to toe. "Wow." he mutters under his breath.

"Is something wrong? You do not like my outfit, do you?" I begin to worry.

Kiran continues to look at me with a strange face expression. What is wrong with him?

"What? Um, no... no Layla. God no, you... wow. You look amazing. It's just that, wow... I am not used to seeing you like this." Stuttering like an idiot.

Furrowing my eyes, I ask. "Like what? A well-dressed woman?"

He nods his head. "You have always been a woman short stuff. It's just..." Cutting himself off he looked sad then smiles. "You look beautiful Layla, but then again, you have always been no matter what you wore." Bringing me in for another hug he kisses my cheek making me blush at his affection.

"Well, you do not look too bad yourself Dr. Evans." Pulling away from him. If he continues to hug me, I do not know how my body will react knowing that I cannot do anything.

"I try. It's good to dress up in regular clothes instead of scrubs most of the week." Pulling out my chair a bit out so I can sit then pushes it in.

"I'm sure." I tell him.

He sits in front of me grabbing both my hands in his again. He sure is touchy tonight.

"I cannot believe you and I are sitting across each other in our favorite restaurant after so many years."

"I know. Facetime does not do us justice." I laugh.

"I missed your laugh short stuff. It is just not the same hearing it over the phone or skype." He sighs. "You do not know how happy I am right now." Lifting my hand and kissing it. Ok... he seriously needs to stop that.

"Good evening, my name is Drew and I will be your server for tonight. May I get your drink order?"

Pulling our hands away Kiran looks up at him. "I will have a glass of red wine and she will have water, no lemon." Nodding at him.

"Alright, I will get that for you. Would you like to start with an appetizer?"

"Can we get an order of the fried mozzarella, calamari and ravioli bites." Ordering our favorites.

"Sure thing. I would put the order in and be back with your drinks." Turning around after writing down our order.

"You know I could have ordered my drink Kiran." Sitting back on the seat.

"I know, I just wanted to that's all." Shrugging while looking through the menu.

"Well, what if I did not want water?" Crossing my arms across my chest.

Cocking his brow, he looks towards me. "I am sorry, did you want a soda or lemonade?"

So, I am not much of an alcohol drinker. Actually, I never drank until recently. A glass of wine or champagne once in a while at parties. I never liked the taste, especially beer.

"No, water is fine." Making him smirk.

"Why are you smirking?"

"No reason. What are you going to order? Your usual?" Changing the subject.

"Well since you know me so well..."

"I do. More than you know short stuff." Winking at me.

I shake my head. "So, where is Amanda?" I look around trying to see if she is here.

"Amelia, and she will be here. She thought it would be nice if we spent some time alone to catch up before she showed up."

"Oh. How nice of her." Rolling my eyes. So glad she gave him permission to spend time with me.

"Layla. I wanted to spend time alone with you. We have not seen each other in so long and I just wanted you and me time." Holding my hand in his again.

"I am glad you do. I thought that I was not going to see you for a long time and here you are." Smiling at him.

"Here I am. For good."

"What? Are you... wait? What do you mean?" Asking confused.

Chuckling he says. "Well, you are looking at the new Chief Surgeon at Medical Hospital starting next month."

My eyes almost bug out at the news. Squealing I get up from my seat hugging him tightly around his neck. "Are you serious Kiran? You are moving back for good?"

He laughs wrapping his arms around my waist pulling me down to his lap. Our faces are a few inches away. His minty breath fans my lips and I swear I want him to kiss me.

Lifting his hand up he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear then cups the side of my face. Pulling me closer he connects our foreheads together and sighs. "I am back for good short stuff. Back where I belong."

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"... remember in seventh grade when Al kept asking me out every single day and kept saying that I would not go out with him because of his race?" I ask as we were reminiscing about our school days.

"Yeah, he kept sending you love letters begging you to go out with him then told everyone you were racist because he is Black American and that is why you wouldn't give him a chance." He shakes his head.

"Yeah, until I got fed up and told him, 'yeap, that's the reason. I don't go out with black guys...." Laughing at the memory of his face expression. "... then I told him, 'it must be that and NOT the fact that you have a girlfriend.' Can you believe he thought just because he was of a different race that I wouldn't go out with him? To think he had a girlfriend I had no clue about, and I was actually going to give him a chance." Taking a bite of my mozzarella... it is so good. (This actually happened in seventh grade!)

"Yeah, he did. I can't believe he asked you out every day for how many years?"

"Until eleventh grade." I shake my head thinking about it.

"Well, you had to give it to him, he was not a quitter. But it annoyed the hell out of me. Especially when he kissed you in front of me. I wanted to kick his ass for doing that." Kiran growls.

"Why? You never really told me."

Kiran stares at me then shakes his head. "You know why. He kissed you without asking and you not wanting him to. No guy was going to kiss my girl without her letting him."

Raising my brows I take another bite of my mozzarella. My girl?

We stay quiet for a while. "Kiran..." I begin to say until we hear a squeaky voice.

"Kiran darling." Making us both look up at the tall blonde Barbie doll.

"Amelia. You made it." Standing up smiling he embraces her then pecks her on the lips. Ugh.

"Of course I did, I would not miss tonight. Have you told her?" Hearing her ask him. Tell me what?

Kiran narrows his eyes at her shaking his head no.

"Oh." Turning around she looks at me and smiles. "Hello, you must be Kiran's Layla. I am Amelia, Kiran's fiancé." Sticking out her hand for me to look at the humongous princess diamond cut engagement ring she is wearing. What the hell? My best friend and the guy that I have been in love with for who knows how long is getting married? What the actual f---!

A/N: 06/13/2016

Hello guys. Had time for another update. I'm really going to like writing this story, so I hope you guys like it.

So, Layla met Kiran at their favorite restaurant. Do you think there are feelings towards each other? How about Layla finding out that her best friend is actually engaged and that's why he wanted to meet for dinner?

Go check out my other stories on my Profile page if you haven't already.

Thanks for Reading, Voting and Commenting. Bye!