Page 92 of The First Time

I must’ve repeated these words to myself a hundred times on the way to Layla’s parents’ house. After Asher gave me his blessing to move forward with my plan, I was pleasantly surprised at how easily it was coming together.

Now, all I need to do is get Layla’s parents on board, particularly her dad.

I stand in front of their door, willing my hand to knock. I’m not sure how long I stand here, but if anyone is watching, I’m probably giving murder vibes, so I garner the courage to finally knock.

The door swings open and I’m greeted with a smiling Stella.

“Josh,” she says kindly, “what a lovely surprise. Come on in.”

I step past her into the house I’ve been in more times in the last decade than my own parents. “Thank you. I’m sorry for showing up unannounced.”

“That’s no problem at all. It seems to be happening a lot lately.”

I don’t know what she’s talking about.

She smiles. “Layla showed up this morning unannounced. First time she’s done that in years.”

Crap. What could that have been about? Am I too late? Did they already tell her I’m not a good match, and I wasn’t there to defend myself?

Stella walks me into the family room where Dan is reading a newspaper on the couch. He lowers it slightly to see who’s here.

“Hi, Dan. Nice to see you.”

“Josh. What a surprise,” he says as he puts the paper down and stands, shaking my hand.

“Why don’t you take a seat,” Stella says as she gestures for me to sit down on the couch.

Even though every nerve in my body is on high alert and just wants to stand and pace around, I take a seat.

“What brings you by, son?” Dan asks casually.

Neither of them appears to be surprised that I’m here, which is a little strange. I look around the room, struggling to make eye contact with either one of them. I’m afraid to see the truth behind their stares. But I came here for Layla, to make it up to her. I want to put an end to this decade of shit that’s been holding me back.

“Well, I wanted to talk to you two about your daughter.”

Stella smirks knowingly, but she can’t possibly know what I’m about to say. If she did, she wouldn’t be smirking.

“What about Layla?” she responds.

My breath comes in shallow, quick bursts. The air around me feels thick with the weight of my unspoken words. My lips part slightly, my throat bobbing with the effort. I cast one last glance at both of them, their expectant gazes a silent encouragement to continue.

“Stella, Dan—I’m in love with your daughter.”

There it is. The words are spoken. I can’t take them back. My breath hitches in my throat as I wait for their reply.

Dan smiles at Stella who looks almost—happy. That can’t be right. There’s no way after all of this time, after ten years of agonizing over this, that they would just end up being happy about it.

Then Stella laughs. “We know.”

My back stiffens. “I’m sorry?” I ask, wondering if I’m misunderstood.

“Well, it appears you and Layla had the same idea. She came by this morning to tell me about you two.”

“She did?”

“I’m going to give you a piece of advice. Never leave a woman who’s crazy about you in the dark,” Stella says with a calm voice.

“I’m not sure I understand.”

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