Page 73 of The First Time

I guess we have. I mean, it’s not like we’re talking marriage or anything. “I’m twenty-seven. He’s thirty-two. We know who we are and what we want.”

“True. I mean, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. Your brother and I were living together as a family before we were even together for a year. When you know, you know.”

“We’ll see where it goes. I don’t want to move too fast, but I have a good feeling about this.”

She claps her hands excitedly. “So do I. Promise me that you’ll let me have the baby before the wedding so I’m not a fat maid of honor.”

I laugh as I throw the shrimp in the oil. “Did I not just say we’ll see where this goes?”

“Sure you did. But I know where this is going. I feel it in my gut.”

“Maybe that’s just the baby you’re feeling,” I say with a wink.

“Haha, you’re freakin’ hilarious. No, this is definitely my gut talking. I’ve got a good sense about these things.”

I don’t want to admit it to her yet, but I think she’s right. I’ve got this feeling that this is it for me. I can’t imagine anyone making me feel the way that Josh does. But it’s too soon to be thinking like this. I try to take my mind off the idea while I cook, but it’s kind of stuck in my brain the entire time.

A wedding here in Savannah would be perfect. Somewhere underneath the southern trees. Nothing big or fancy either. I know that wouldn’t be Josh’s style and I like the idea of something intimate.

Once my shrimp and linguine are finished, I pour them all into a large serving bowl, and Charlotte helps me bring the salad outside. I gesture for the guys to join us at the table, where Charlotte already has all of the plates and utensils set up.

Josh pulls out my chair for me. As I take a seat, he leans down and whispers in my ear. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look in that dress?”

He takes a seat next to me. “I don’t believe you have,” I whisper.

He leans in to kiss me on the cheek. “Well, you do. I can’t wait to get it off you tonight.”

A blush must form on my cheeks because I suddenly feel warm. I can’t wait for him to take it off me either.

“Thanks for cooking for us, sis. You know how much I love whatever you make.” Asher scoops some pasta onto Charlotte’s plate first then his.

“It’s no problem. You know I love to cook, especially since I don’t get to do it at the restaurant.”

“Speaking of your restaurant, Charlotte told me things went well there while you were away.”

“Yeah, it went really well. Zane did a great job, and I was able to enjoy the trip without worrying about anything.”

Charlotte giggles. “I’m sure Josh had a hand in the distractions.”

I look over at Asher who rolls his eyes. I curl my lips, so he doesn’t see me smile at his discomfort. I love him like crazy and appreciate that he just wants me to be happy, but if he thinks I’ve gone the last year without hearing things I haven’t wanted to hear or seen things I never wanted to see, then he’s delusional.

The amount of times he’s groped my best friend in front of me or thought he was being quiet when he whispered something dirty in her ear is too many to count.

We spend the rest of the evening telling stories about Italy and reminiscing about old times. When it’s getting late, Josh starts to shift around in his seat, working up the nerve to say something.

“Well,” he eventually speaks up. “I appreciate you guys having us over. It’s been a great night, but I think we should get going. It’s getting late.”

“Thanks so much for dinner and coming over. It was so nice to have a night with another couple,” Charlotte says as we all get up off our chairs and walk back inside.

Asher pulls Josh aside and starts saying something to him that I can’t quite make out. Josh is nodding along the entire time, then they shake hands.

Charlotte looks at me and shrugs her shoulders. Then the guys meet us at the front door, where we all give hugs and say goodnight.

Asher hugs me last. “I’m really happy for you, sis. But you tell me if he fucks up, and I’ll kick his ass. I’ve always got your back.”

“Thanks,” I laugh. “I think.”

Josh grabs my hand, and we walk to his truck, where he opens the door for me. I feel complete relief that this is all done and out in the open. My brothers all know, and nobody is angry.

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