Page 50 of The First Time

I’m starting to realize that maybe I was a total fucking idiot when I was younger and walked away from her. If I wasn’t the man she wanted back then, I could’ve changed or at least been open to experiencing new things. Layla doesn’t need a man with millions; she just needs a man who will love her. I can do that.

I am doing that. I’ve loved her from afar for years. It’s about damn time she gets to see what it’s like when I don’t hide it away.

And honestly, if it makes her happy, then that’s all that matters. If her parents are disappointed that she settled for someone like me, that’s their problem.

“I could do fancy vacations once in a while.”

He looks over at me with amusement flickering in his eyes. “I’ll believe that when I see it. You’d prefer a week off right here at home just taking out the boat and enjoying some time with friends.”

“Well, I like that too. But maybe Italy made me see things differently.”

He shrugs his shoulders. “As long as you and Layla didn’t kill each other and had a good time. Anyway, I just wanted to come by and thank you again. If you ever need a favor, I owe you one. I also wanted to invite you to our place tomorrow. We’re throwing a birthday party for Brie. It’s a bit last minute. Charlotte’s just been trying to survive each day and keep some food down.”

“Birthday for my favorite girl? I’ll be there. What can I get her?”

“You don’t need to get her anything. She’ll just be happy that you’re there.”

I scoff. If he thinks I’m showing up to a four-year-old birthday party without a present, he’s insane. I’m still gunning to be her favorite uncle, beating out her actual uncles Eric and Liam.

I’ll be there. And knowing that Freckles will be there is just icing on the cake for me. I’ve been giving her space this week to get caught up at work, biding my time for when I see her again.

I walk into Asher and Charlotte’s home, holding my present. Their house is huge. It’s right on the lake and completely out of any of our price ranges. Charlotte’s father passed away and left the house to her. It was vacant for a decade and left to rot. That’s how Charlotte and Asher got reacquainted. She hired him to take on the renovations.

The kitchen is decorated with balloons, food and drinks laid out on the large island. Taylor Swift is blasting outside.

Yes, I don’t have any daughters or a wife, but I can recognize a Taylor Swift song.

There are Taylor Swift balloons, plates, and cups—letting me know the theme of the party. It appears Brie is a four-year-old Swiftie.

I don’t recognize the people chatting in the kitchen, so I wander to the sliding door that leads to a large deck overlookingthe water.

The source of the music is evident when I see a large white bouncy house with pastel-colored balloons tied off at the corners.

“There he is,” Liam shouts from the corner of the deck.

He’s leaning against the railing with a beer in his hand, talking to Eric. I place my present on one of the tables and walk over to them.

“What’s going on?” I ask as I approach and shake their hands.

“Just jamming to some Taylor Swift over here,” Liam jokes, with Eric rolling his eyes. I forgot he’s against fun right now.

I look over at the bouncy house again and spot Asher watching from the outside with some guy I don’t know. Brie is in there with several other kids around her age.

“Who are these kids?” I ask.

“Brie’s friends. I don’t know, some kids from her pre-school, I guess,” Eric answers.

She looks adorable laughing with the kids. How is she old enough to invite friends to her party?

I’m watching Brie laugh and giggle when I spot Layla standing out there on the grass next to the bouncy house with Charlotte. She’s holding a glass of wine and laughing at something Charlotte just said. She’s wearing a white summer dress, her hair down in loose waves. My heart begins to race as I watch, captivated by every little move she makes. Even watching her do something so insignificant, like tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, can get a reaction from me these days.

“There he is,” Daniel, Layla’s father, says as he approaches. “The man that saved mydaughter’s trip.”

I reach out for a handshake. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Williams.”

“I heard the trip was a success. Layla was raving about it just before you got here.”

I grin. “It was a great trip.”

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