Page 80 of The First Time

“Hi, Freckles,” he smiles at me.

“I’ll seat them, ladies. What table?”

I see the look of disappointment on their faces as they look down at the sheet.

“Table 43,” Mindy says sadly.

I grab two menus and walk the guys through the dining area, weaving around tables until we get to the table in the far corner. The girls didn’t even ask them where they wanted to be seated. They must know the guys want to be inside to enjoy the air conditioning and, in the back, away from the crowd.

I wonder how many times they’ve been seated by Mindy and Becca. Does Josh notice them? What am I thinking? Of course, he does. He’s a man after all.

We get to their table, and I place their menus down then turn around as I struggle to display a smile on my face. I don’t want Josh to know I’m being irrationally jealous just because a beautiful woman thinks he’s hot.

“Thanks, beautiful,” Josh says as he leans in and kisses my cheek.

My cheeks redden at his public display of affection. I sneak a glance at Becca and Mindy at the front who are talking to guests. Dammit. I wish they saw that. I know that seems very high school, but I don’t care.

“You’re welcome,” I smile up at him, noticing that he is resting his chin on his hand and smirking at me.

Asher sighs. “I can’t wait until you two are passed this annoying beginning phase of the relationship. All the dreamy looks and constant touching.” He makes a disgusted face.

Josh chuckles as he grabs his menu. “Layla had to put up with it with you and Charlotte.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t think we were as bad as you two.”

Josh and I both start to crack up. That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard all day.

“You two still can’t stop touching each other,” Josh replies.

“Whatever. We didn’t have the whole dreamy looks going on.”

Josh winks at me. I tuck my hair behind my ear. “Well, I’ll let you two look over the menu. Your server will be with you soon. Let me know if you need anything.”

I walk away from the table and find myself pulled directly into a dilemma in the kitchen. From there, it’s one thing after another. Zane is busy trying to order food from our purveyor, a task I have always done but have recently given to him in an effort to further let go of my control issues.

But since he’s busy, that leaves me to manage today. I think it’s about time I thought about hiring an assistant manager. I would like to have an option to work from home if I am dealing with office stuff.

I can’t believe these thoughts are even crossing my mind. It’s all thanks to the man sitting across the room from me. I look over at him, just to find him smiling over at me.

Every time I’ve stolen a glance in his direction, he’s watching me. Any insecurities I had earlier about Mindy are gone. He hasn’t looked in her direction even once. For some reason, he only seems to see me.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Josh

I change my shirt for the tenth time, looking in the mirror at the button-down blue one I’m wearing. I actually ironed the damn thing, so I look clean and well presented. My hair is styled with some gel in it that I hardly ever use. I didn’t go crazy with it, just enough to keep it looking neat without looking like I actually put any stupid gel in it to begin with.

I’m going to an end-of-the-summer barbeque at Layla’s parents’ house. It’s already almost mid-August, and school is about to start back up for the kids. That is usually when everyone, even if they have no kids, throws their end-of-the-summer bash.

It’s one last social event before the madness of the year begins and the weather gets colder.

I’m letting my stupid insecurities get the best of me because tonight Layla wants to tell her parents about the two of us. She is acting like it’s the most casual thing in the world. Like we are going to walk into the party hand in hand, and they are going to nod a head and walk away.

I picture it going a bit differently than that. I picture her mom’s face turning up at the idea of her daughter dating a man who works in manual labor while her father shakes his head in agreement with his wife.

Now, I’m not saying that her parents are bad people or have ever treated me differently. But I see the men her mom tries to set her up with, or the man, William, she is always talking about her getting back together with.

If that’s the vision they have for their little girl, then I will be a major disappointment. And as much as I want to say screw them, who cares what they think, I’m also aware that she loves her parents, and I don’t want to damage their relationship.

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