Page 26 of Love Me Again

"Jesus, Shayla, you scared the crap out of us. Yes, we are. I asked Aimee last night, and she said yes." Josh confirms and opens his arms when I run over to hug him.

"Oh Josh, I'm so happy for you both." I cry, and he laughs, wiping my tears.

"Stop crying, then." He teases with a chuckle, and I move over to Aimee and hug her again. I look over at Cole, who was smiling cheekily.

"You knew, didn't you?" Cole nods, slapping Josh's back.

"He told me last week he was planning on proposing, so I helped him pick out the ring," Cole explains, squeezing Josh's shoulder proudly while he pulls Aimee into his arms and kissing her temple.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask with a pout, and he smiles, pointing at Josh.

"Blame him. He wanted it to be a surprise." Josh shrugs, defencelessly hiding behind a laughing Aimee.

"Please don't kill me. I knew you'd run and tell her straight away. You think I don't know what you girls are like?" Josh claims, pointing at Aimee and me.

"You're lucky I love you both. Does Jo know?" Aimee shakes her head.

"No, even though I wanted to call you as soon as he proposed, I wanted to tell you both face to face and see your reaction," Aimee answers, pulling me to her and hugging me again.

"We were going to tell you at dinner, but you ruined it when you saw the ring, Bish," Aimee explains, gazing lovingly at her fiancé. "Obviously, this goes without saying, but we want you two to be the best man and maid of honour."

I grin excitedly, "Of course, are you kidding me." I reply, hugging Aimee again and smile while Josh hugs Cole. This was so incredible. Imagine your husband's best friend marrying your best friend. I couldn't be happier for them.

We sit and eat our dinner. We toast to Josh and Aimee's fantastic news. While Aimee and I excitedly discuss her ideas for the wedding, Josh and Cole talk about work. I was listening to Aimee gush about the proposal when Cole's phone flashes on the table. I feel my heart sink to the pit of my stomach when a message pops up with 'Soph' and a red heart next to her name.

It can't be. Please, God, let my eyes be deceiving me.

I stare at the phone, motionless for a moment until I lift my gaze to Cole, who looks at the phone and then at me. That's who he's been texting all day. Sophie. Aimee and Josh exchange glances before they look back at Cole, and I stare at each other. I push my seat away from the table. "Excuse me," I whisper. Standing from the table, I walk toward the stairs.

"Shayla," Cole calls my name and pushes his chair back as I near the stairs. I feel his hand on my arm, and I yank it out of his hold. "Shayla, let me explain."

I look up at him, "Explain? There is no reason, nor an explanation feasible enough to justify your ex-fiancée texting you." I tell him and swallow the lump forming in my throat.

"I ran into her at the hospital a couple of days ago. I didn't go looking for her--she was just there." He tells me, and I brush my fingers through my hair. "She told me she lost her baby after everything that happened between us. She was upset and needed someone to talk to, so we had lunch, that's it." Cole explains, and my hand instinctively goes to my stomach as my gut clenches painfully at the thought of losing my baby.

"Why didn't you tell me, Cole? Why keep it from me?" I question and watch as he closes his eyes.

"I was going too, but then we had our date that night, and I didn't want to ruin that." Cole opens his eyes and looks at me again.

"Why is she texting you?"

Cole rubs his forehead and sighs, "I don't know."

I glare at him, "What the hell do you mean you don't know?!" I exclaim angrily, and he sighs.

"You've been texting her all-fucking day!"

"She's talking about some party tomorrow night; she wants me to go with her to see some of our old friends."

I stare up at him, tears burning the back of my eyes, "You said no, right?" I ask, and when I see the look of guilt on his face, I already had my answer. "You didn't." I take a step back, shaking my head.

"Oh my God. You were going to go. You were going to spin some bullshit to me and go off with her, weren't you?!" I shout.

"Shayla, it's not like that! It's not that big of a deal. It's just a party with some of our mutual friends." Cole clarifies, and I look over at Josh and Aimee, watching us utterly stunned.

"It's happening all over again," I whisper, placing my hand on my chest and looking pleadingly at Aimee, who glares at Cole.

"Shayla, nothing has happened," Colesays, taking hold of my arm and turning me to face him.

---