After Us

Seven years ago- Meeting mum

The drive back to Layla’s apartment was quieter than expected, but not in an awkward way. The kind of silence that settled when two people were still savouring every second of the night.

Layla kept stealing glances at Evan, who, for someone usually quick with a tease, seemed unusually focused on the road, his jaw tight with thought. It wasn’t until they reached her street that he finally broke the stillness.

“So,” he started, slowing down as he neared her building, “any chance I get to come in and say hi to your mom?”

Layla blinked, thrown off. “Wait, what?”

Evan parked and turned to face her, a teasing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I mean, we had a great night, and I’m a fan of good first impressions. Why not say hello?”

Layla let out a half-laugh, half-groan. “Oh, no way. You want to meet my mom tonight? Absolutely not, not a chance, Evan.”

“Why not?” he challenged, leaning back against the headrest, arms crossed. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Everything,” Layla replied dramatically. “She’ll assume we’re dating, interrogate you, and then find a way to embarrass me within the first five minutes. Trust me, you don’t want that.”

Evan grinned, unfazed. “I’m pretty good under pressure.”

“Yeah, until she starts pulling out baby pictures or telling stories about my high school awkward phase.”

“Awkward phase?” Evan raised an eyebrow. “Now I definitely need to meet her.”

Layla rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”

“Or charming.”

“Or impossible.”

“Or both,” he shot back with a wink. “Come on, Lay. Five minutes, tops, quick hello. Then I’m out of your hair.”

“Evan, you are definitely not going to win this time. Not tonight.”

“Why?”

“I don't want my mum to get involved with all of these.“

“What about we do it this way? I’m not leaving here till I walk you in, and that's because you've made me curious about that.”

She hesitated, but the playful determination in his eyes was hard to resist. “Fine,” she huffed. “Five minutes. But if she starts telling you about the time I tried cutting my own bangs, you’re on your own.”

“Deal.” He grinned triumphantly.

They stepped out of the car calmly. Layla walks in doubt.

“Are you sure?” She reconfirms.

Evan responded with a nod, giving her a very tight grip as they walked into the elevator, Evan humming softly beside her while Layla rehearsed how exactly she was going to explain this to her mother. Her palms were clammy, her pulse thudding like a drum.

This was a terrible idea.

When they reached her door, she turned to him one last time. “You can still back out, you know.”

“Not a chance,” he replied, leaning in just close enough for her breath to catch. “You’ve got me curious now.”

Layla rolled her eyes, pulled out her key, and unlocked the door. The soft glow of the living room lamp spilt into the hallway as she pushed it open.

“Mum? I’m home!” She called softly, peeking into the dimly lit living room.

Her mom, Megan, appeared from the kitchen, her reading glasses perched on the tip of her nose and a warm smile spreading across her face. “Hey, sweetheart. You’re back late.”

“Yeah, uh…” Layla fidgeted, then stepped aside to reveal Evan behind her. “This is Evan. A… new friend.”

Evan stepped forward smoothly, offering a hand. “Hi, Mrs Grant. It’s really nice to meet you.”

Megan’s eyebrows shot up, but her smile remained warm as she shook his hand. “Well, this is a surprise! Evan, welcome. Please, come in.”

Layla shot Evan a look that said, I told you so, but he only grinned and followed her into the living room.

“Totally my fault,” Evan admitted with a smile. “I insisted oncoming in and saying hi.”

Megan’s gaze flickered to her daughter. “Ohh?”

“Anyway”, Layla cut in, desperate to end the conversation before it spiralled, “Evan was just leaving.”

“Oh, no rush,” Megan said too quickly. “Why don’t you sit for a bit?”

Layla’s eyes widened. “Mom—”

“Unless you’re in a hurry?” her mom asked Evan.

“Not at all,” Evan replied smoothly, already making himself comfortable on the couch. “Thank you.”

Layla shot her mom a glare, but Megan just shrugged, enjoying her daughter’s obvious discomfort far too much.

“So, Evan,” her mom began, settling into the armchair across from him. “Tell me about yourself.”

Evan smiled, leaning forward slightly. “Well, I’m a senior at Columbia. Business major. Born and raised in Brooklyn. My mom’s a nurse, and my dad runs a startup company.”

Megan nodded, visibly impressed. “Columbia, huh? That’s quite an achievement.”

“Thank you,” Evan said sincerely. “It’s a lot of work, but I like it.”

Layla sat silently, wishing the floor would swallow her whole.

“And how did you meet Layla?” her mom pressed, leaning in with a playful glint in her eye. ” She’s always too busy either working or schooling to meet new people.

“Ah,” Evan chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Funny story. We bumped into each other at the library down the street.

Mrs Monroe laughed. “Really? This clears my suspicions now.” Her gaze turned to Layla, who was obviously avoiding them.

Layla’s breath hitched, and her mom raised a curious eyebrow.

“It's you; you ran off to catch up with the other day.”

“Mum, Layla interrupted in deep shock.

“Oh, I think so; we had booked appointments.” Evan added, “You’ve got such a bookish and hard-working daughter.”

“That’s sweet,” Megan said after a pause.

“Well,” Evan said, standing up, “I should probably head out.”

“It was lovely meeting you, Evan.” Megan stood too.

“Same here,” he replied, shaking her hand again before turning to Layla. “Walk me out?”

She nodded, practically pushing him toward the door.

Once they were outside, Layla exhaled deeply. “That was…”

“Charming? Delightful?” Evan offered.

“Mortifying”, she finished.

He laughed softly. “It wasn’t bad.”

“Speak for yourself.”

They stood in the dimly lit hallway, neither making a move to leave just yet.

“Thanks for tonight,” Layla whispered.

“Anytime,” Evan replied, leaning in to kiss her forehead softly. “Goodnight, Lay.”

“Goodnight,” she whispered, watching him walk away, her heart still racing.

When she finally re-entered the apartment, her mom stood there, a knowing smile on her face.

“A new friend, huh?” …