Page 83 of The First Time

Asher looks at me strangely. “She’s in high school. Why? Are you insinuating we didn’t do a thorough check of who is watching our daughter?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Just wondering if you chose someone who’s trustworthy and old enough.”

Charlotte laughs. “She’s seventeen and a great girl.”

Over the course of the next hour, we eat, drink, talk, and laugh with each other. I almost forget that we still have to say hi to her parents when they suddenly appear at our table.

“Layla, when did you get here?” her mother asks.

“I’ve been here awhile, Ma. You’ve been busy mingling.”

“Oh, and Josh, how lovely to see you,” Stella says happily.

I stand up and give her a kiss on the cheek. “Nice to see you too, Stella.”

I shake Dan’s hand and take my seat again. Asher raises an eyebrow at me with a little smirk, and if I could, I’d flick him off right now. They all think it’s funny because I’ve never told anyone but Layla how I feel. She grabs my hand under the table.

This is it. She’s about to tell them, I can tell.

“Why don’t you two sit down and join us for a minute?” she suggests.

Stella looks around at the guests. “I think we can do that. We’ve made our way to all of the guests, and everyone seems to be mingling.”

I sit up straighter, waiting for Layla to continue, when Stella and Dan’s names are called from behind them.

Mother fucker. William and his parents are walking towards us.

“Oh, Martha and Frank. It is so good to see two. Won’t you join us? We just sat down to chat with our children for a bit. Oh, William, you’re here too. Won’t you join us as well,” Stella says as she beams at them.

My stomach churns as I watch William smugly take a seat next to his parents and then wink at me.

I haven’t seen this fucker in years, and now this is twice in two weeks. Did I do something in another life to deserve this shitty luck?

“So,” Martha says to Stella and Dan, “how are things going?”

“Oh, everything is lovely. Charlotte and Asher are expecting, so we are thrilled to have another grandbaby on the way.”

“Congratulations. What wonderful news,” Martha replies.

I watch the table exchange pleasantries while my entire body itches to get away. It shouldn’t be this hard to tell her parents that we are a couple. Why is this happening? I’m not sure how long I zone out, but Layla appears with another beer and wine. She takes a seat next to me.

“Oh, and William just found out that he will be taking over at the company. Frank has finally agreed to retire.”

“I’m sure you’re so proud,” Stella replies.

“I guess I’ll be doing business with you from now on, William,” Dan jokes.

“Watch out. I’m smarter than my old man,” William says while they share a laugh.

I look around at the rest of the table. Liam rolls his eyes and looks away. At least I’m not the only one who sees through the bullshit of this conversation.

“Oh, Layla, when are you going to give my poor William another chance?” Martha looks over at Layla with a mischievous smile. “I don’t know if you heard, but he is now the president of the company.”

“That’s right, my dear,” Frank cuts in. “You won’t have to work another day in your life.”

Red, hot anger is now coursing through my veins. This is where William gets it. I almost feel sorry for the poor chump. He was bound to turn out this way with parents like this. Not that my parents are any better.

Mine are far worse. At least his are bragging about him and not treating him like a bug to be squashed.

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