It was a typical Friday afternoon in Beverly Hills, the sun casting a warm, golden glow over everything as Layla Keating sat in her music studio, flipping through her notes on the latest artist she was working with. The music world was always fast-paced, but Layla had learned to thrive in the chaos. She loved the thrill of finding new talent, producing something meaningful, and being at the heart of the action.

What she didn't love, however, was her constant distraction.

Jordan Baker.

Her mind kept wandering back to him. Ever since things between them had shifted from friends to something more, Layla found herself caught up in the whirlwind that was Jordan—his relentless charm, his easygoing personality, and the way he looked at her like she was the only person in the room. It was overwhelming and exciting, and as much as she hated to admit it, she was hooked.

Just then, her phone buzzed on the desk. Speak of the devil. It was Jordan.

Jordan: "Yo, Keating, you still at the studio? Thought I'd swing by and save you from drowning in work."

Layla smirked at the message, her fingers quickly typing a response.

Layla: "And what makes you think I need saving?"

Almost immediately, her phone buzzed again.

Jordan: "Because you've been cooped up in there all week, and I'm pretty sure you've forgotten what sunshine looks like. Be there in 5."

Layla shook her head, smiling to herself. Jordan had a way of being persistent, even when she pretended to be annoyed by it. And truthfully, she didn't mind the distraction.

Sure enough, five minutes later, Jordan strolled into her studio, looking effortlessly cool in a hoodie and jeans, his signature grin firmly in place.

"You know, I'm starting to think you live here," Jordan said, glancing around the studio as he leaned casually against the doorframe. "What is it? Day 72 of you not leaving this place?"

Layla rolled her eyes, though she couldn't suppress the grin tugging at her lips. "It's called work, Jordan. You might want to try it sometime."

"Ouch," he said, placing a hand over his heart in mock offense. "That hurt, Keating."

Layla laughed, pushing her notes aside. "I'm just saying, not all of us have the luxury of chilling between practices."

Jordan walked over, plopping down in the chair opposite her. "Well, maybe that's why I'm here—to help you chill. You've been too serious lately."

Layla raised an eyebrow. "Oh, and you're here to lighten things up?"

"Exactly," Jordan said, leaning forward with a playful glint in his eyes. "You know me, Keating. I'm all about the fun."

"I'm the type to wear you down, down, down…"

Layla folded her arms, giving him a mock-serious look. "I've noticed. You're like a dog with a bone when it comes to getting people to take a break."

Jordan grinned. "What can I say? I have a talent for getting people out of their heads. Especially you."

Layla shot him a sidelong glance. "What makes you think I'm in my head?"

Jordan tilted his head, his expression softening. "Because I know you. You've been working non-stop, pushing yourself like you always do. I figured you could use a little break. And who better to help you take one than me?"

Layla couldn't help but smile at that. Jordan was always so easy to be around, always so full of life. And as much as she tried to deny it, she liked having him around. He had a way of making everything feel lighter, like the weight of the world didn't have to be so heavy.

"Okay, fine," Layla said, leaning back in her chair. "What's your big plan to 'save' me from my own workaholic tendencies?"

Jordan's grin widened, and he stood up, holding out his hand. "Come on. We're going for a drive."

Layla raised an eyebrow. "A drive? That's your plan?"

"Trust me," Jordan said, still holding out his hand. "I've got it all figured out."

Layla hesitated for a moment, but the way Jordan looked at her, so full of confidence and mischief, made it impossible to resist. She rolled her eyes playfully and took his hand.


A short while later, they were cruising down Pacific Coast Highway, the ocean stretching out to one side, the wind whipping through Layla's hair as Jordan drove with one hand on the wheel, the other casually draped over the console. The radio was blasting some pop song she barely recognized, but the energy in the car was light, carefree.

"You weren't lying," Layla said, glancing over at him with a grin. "This is pretty nice."

Jordan shot her a wink. "Told you. Sometimes you just gotta let go, Keating. Not everything has to be so serious all the time."

Layla laughed, shaking her head. "Yeah, because your life is so easy, right?"

Jordan glanced at her, his expression turning thoughtful. "It's not about life being easy. It's about knowing when to take a step back and breathe."

Layla was quiet for a moment, watching the waves crash along the shore. She knew Jordan was right. She had been pushing herself too hard lately, trying to control everything, trying to make sure her music career was perfect, trying to keep her emotions in check. But here, in this moment, with Jordan beside her, everything felt a little more... manageable.

"Doesn't matter, you're a woman or a man, that's the kind of lover I am…"

"You know," Layla said, her voice softer now, "you're not exactly what people think you are, Jordan."

He glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Layla turned in her seat to face him, her eyes thoughtful. "You've got this reputation, you know? The football player. The charmer. The guy who doesn't take anything too seriously. But that's not all there is to you."

Jordan's face softened, and he gave her a small smile. "I guess people see what they want to see."

Layla nodded, her voice quiet. "Yeah, but I see more than that. I see someone who cares. Someone who's always there for the people he loves."

Jordan was quiet for a moment, his eyes flicking back to the road before he spoke. "That's because you know me, Layla. The real me."

The weight of his words hung between them, and Layla felt her heart skip a beat. Jordan wasn't just a distraction anymore. He wasn't just a friend who made her laugh or someone who could lighten her mood after a long day. He was someone she trusted. Someone who made her feel seen.

"You're the same, you know?" Jordan said, glancing at her with a soft smile. "People think they know you. They see the music mogul, the girl who's got it all together. But I see more than that."

Layla looked at him, her heart racing. "What do you see?"

Jordan's gaze met hers, steady and sincere. "I see someone who's strong, but also someone who's been through a lot. Someone who's afraid to let people in, but still manages to care about everyone around her."

Layla felt a lump form in her throat. She wasn't used to people seeing her that way, especially not someone like Jordan. He had this way of breaking down her defenses without even trying.

"And I like that about you," Jordan added, his voice soft but firm. "I like all of it. Even the parts you try to hide."

Layla looked at him, speechless for a moment, her mind racing. She had spent so long guarding herself, afraid to get too close to anyone, afraid to let herself feel too much. But Jordan made it seem so easy. Like maybe, just maybe, it was okay to let him in.

"I'll be anything that you need, I'm a chameleon…"

"I don't know what this is," Layla said quietly, her eyes meeting his. "But I like it. I like being around you."

Jordan smiled, his eyes lighting up. "Good. Because I like being around you too, Keating."

There was a beat of silence, the hum of the car engine and the sound of the waves crashing in the background, and then Jordan spoke again, his voice playful but full of meaning. "So, does this mean I get to take you out on an actual date sometime? You know, when you're not buried in work?"

Layla laughed, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Are you asking me out, Baker?"

Jordan grinned, glancing at her as he drove. "Maybe. Depends on what your answer is."

Layla leaned back in her seat, her smile wide. "I think I'd like that."

Jordan chuckled, his hand drumming against the steering wheel. "Good. Because I've got a whole list of things we could do. Fancy dinner, beach picnic, even roller skating if you're feeling adventurous."

Layla shook her head, laughing. "Roller skating? Really?"

"Hey," Jordan said, flashing her a teasing grin, "don't knock it till you try it."

Layla couldn't stop smiling. For the first time in a long time, she felt light, like the weight she had been carrying wasn't so heavy anymore. Maybe it was because of Jordan. Or maybe it was because she was finally letting herself be open to something new.

"And that's the kind of lover I am…"

As they continued driving down the coast, the sun setting in the distance, Layla realized that maybe, just maybe, she didn't have to have everything figured out. Maybe all she needed was to let herself feel, to let herself be vulnerable.

And with Jordan by her side, that didn't seem so scary after all.