Page 58 of The First Time

“Josh,” my voice cracks as I begin to cry. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

His hurt lay naked in his eyes. “I was embarrassed. I’m supposed to be strong and able to support you. Going to you, not only to tell you I can’t financially support you like another man could, but to then tell you I’m all fucked in the head over it just felt like exposing how weak I am.”

“Well, that sounds like some old-school bullshit if you ask me.”

He gave me a sidelong glance of utter disbelief. “What does that mean?”

“It means that we aren’t some nineteen-fifties couple where the man needs to make all the money and have no feelings, all while the woman sits at home depressed with nothing to do once her kids go to school. It means we are a team. We build the life we want together. We talk about our feelings. We support each other.”

He leans in and presses his lips to mine. Parting my lips, I raise myself to meet his kiss. He runs his fingers through my hair as his lips move along mine. He pulls away and holds my head while he looks at me.

“I’m a fucking idiot. I’ll never forgive myself for what I did to you. But can you forgive me, Freckles?”

I lean in and kiss him again. “I’ll forgive you if you cook me breakfast tomorrow morning.”

“That’s all it takes?” He laughs. “Deal. I’ll make the chef a fancy breakfast.”

Chapter Nineteen

Josh

“Did you happen to see Layla get in her car and leave thirty seconds after Josh left the party last weekend?” Liam says slyly after he takes a sip of his beer.

I’m starting to wonder what the hell these two are up to right now. They asked me if I wanted to get dinner casually at Layla’s restaurant tonight. Now, with the look they’re giving each other, I’m thinking they have more conniving intentions.

“I did see that. I wonder where she was going since she went the opposite way of her house,” Eric replies.

“What the hell is going on? What did I miss?” my buddy Kyle asks.

Kyle is dating Avery, Layla and Charlotte’s friend, but Kyle has been a friend of mine since I came to this town after college.

“It appears that love was in the air in Italy,” Liam replies playfully.

I shake my head. He’s being a little over the top, but then again, it’s Liam. I’ve learned over the years not to try and figure out what’s going on in that head of his.

Kyle’s jaw is hanging down like a puppy with a treat in front of him. “Shut the fuck up!” he shoves me from across the table. “You and Layla?”

“Can we all please keep in mind that this is new? You guys are the only ones who know, and most importantly, this is her restaurant, and she could pop up at any time. I don’t want you to make her feel uncomfortable.”

Kyle nods his head in agreement but also beams with joy. He leans forward, “You know that we’ve all basically been watching you two fight for years, knowing that you were really just suppressing feelings? Right? I mean, am I right, guys?” He looks to the other guys for confirmation.

“Of course. It was only a matter of time,” Eric agrees.

Layla hasn’t come by yet, even though I texted her to say we were here. She replied and said it’s been crazy. Two waitresses called in sick, so she is trying to help the staff out.

I spot her for the first time tonight as she carries a tray of food to a table across the room. Her hair is pulled up in a tight bun and she’s in all black with the company logo on the front of her shirt. She looks adorable, but I can see the stress through her fake smile.

“Where’s Asher been? Haven’t seen him in a while,” Kyle asks.

“He’s been busy with Brie and Charlotte. He can’t come out with us all the time with a family at home,” I defend, knowing I can’t announce Charlotte’s news yet.

Kyle shrugs his shoulders and moves on. Layla finally spots me and offers a small smile and waves. I can’t take it anymore. I haven’t seen her since Tuesday.

Is it only Friday? Yes. It’s only been three days, but that feels like an eternity for me. I slide out of my chair.

“I’ll be right back,” I tell the guys.

Eric laughs. “Tell Layla to come say hi sometime tonight.”

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