Page 26 of The First Time

“Are you excited to see Milan?” I ask as I drive our rental car along the Italian streets.

We decided to venture out the rest of the trip, starting with Milan since it’s only an hour’s drive from Como.

“Yep,” she replies shortly.

“It’s a beautiful day. I can’t believe we lucked out on this weather so far.”

“Uh huh.”

“What’s your problem this morning?” She’s been short with me since the moment we woke up. We had an incredible time last night. Sure, we had too much to drink and are feeling it this morning, but I don’t understand why she’s acting like she’s mad at me.

Maybe she just feels worse off than me from the alcohol. Perhaps the shots weren’t such a good idea.

“I don’t have a problem,” she bites back, looking out the window.

“Is it the alcohol? Are you feeling sick? If you need me to pull over, just let me know.”

A bitter laugh escapes her. “Of course, you don’t even know why I’m mad. Typical Josh. Not a care in the world, oblivious to other people’s feelings.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean? What did I do?”

She crosses her arms across her chest. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Layla, let’s not act like teenagers. If I did something wrong, tell me.”

“Fine! You humiliated me last night.” Her head stays focused on the windshield, refusing to look in my direction.

“Wait a minute. Is this because I didn’t take advantage of you when you were drunk?”

She doesn’t reply.

Unbelievable! I can’t believe it. I try to do the right thing. Stopping her so she didn’t give me the same damn face she gave me after I came all over my stomach in front of her, and this is how she reacts. What the hell? It’s like I can’t win with her.

Damned if I do, damned if I don’t.

“I wasn’t that drunk. You could at least be honest and not use being an honorable man as the reason you rejected me.”

My hands are gripping the steering wheel tightly, trying not to lose my shit on her. This entire trip is giving me whiplash.

“Think what you want, Layla. You always do.”

She scoffs and then goes back to looking out the window.

After a long, painful car ride, we are now standing just outside the Duomo of Milan. It’s the fifth largest cathedral in the world, but I can’t imagine anything being more impressive than this structure. It’s massive.

“Holy. Shit,” Layla mutters as we both crane our necks to see the entirety of the cathedral.

“This is the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. I don’t even understand how they accomplished such a massive structure so long ago.”

She looks over at me. “Are you in some kind of architecture heaven right now?”

“I am. I really am. Can we go to the top? I bet the view is stunning.”

“Oh, um. Yeah, sure. I think we can purchase tickets over there.”

I’m like a damn kid in a candy store as we wait in line for the tickets. I’m so excited to get inside. We walk into the line for the elevator, which we’re told is an hour wait, or we can take the two hundred and fifty steps to the top, which has no line. I’m starting to feel antsy in this line.

“Ugh, do you want to take the stairs?” Layla grumbles behind me.

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