I think better of it. This is the perfect opportunity to show off our relationship in front of Hayes and Ashley, and that’s the whole point of this.
Me: Yes.
Standing up, I push my chair back. The legs scrape against the tile floor. “I’m going to meet Josh for breakfast.”
“You just ate breakfast,” Anna says incredulously.
I glare at her. “Just a little cereal.”
“I thought Josh was busy,” she adds.
“Now he’s not.” I shrug, unnerved by the way she’s been behaving all morning. “Is it okay?” I look at Mom and Dad.
“Why doesn’t he come over here?” Mom pops open the fridge door. “I can make us something.” My stomach clenches as she sticks her head inside the refrigerator. “Shoot. We’re out of eggs.”
“It’s fine, Mom. He’s already at the diner. Can I meet him there?” I ask, desperation rising inside of me. My window of time was getting smaller. Hayes and Ashely could be getting ready to leave. Or worse yet, they could already be gone.
Mom bites her lip. Dad’s brows knit together.
“Fine,” Dad finally says. “But talk to him about coming over.”
Relief sweeps over me. “I will.” I spin around and race back to my room to grab my shoes and purse, all the while praying I get to the diner in time.
***
“There’s my girl.” Josh slides out of the booth he’d been sitting at with Nolan and Chase when he spots me entering the diner. He wears a large grin as he approaches me. It’s weird seeing Josh like this. He’s never been the smiling, attentive boyfriend, and at times his demeanor throws me even though I know it’s all an act. His arms fold around my body. “Glad you made it,” he murmurs into my hair. As his warm breath cascades over the skin on my neck, goosebumps break out on my flesh. There are moments when this feels real, and my heart comes dangerously close to opening up to him. But I know it’s silly. Besides, he’s not the one I want.
When we separate, my gaze flickers to the right. Ashley and Hayes are sitting in a booth, sharing a plate of pancakes. My stomach sours at the sight of them squished together on the same bench, not even across from each other. Could they be any more sickening? Not only that, but they don’t seem to notice Josh or me at all. They’re too busy making googly eyes at each other. I groan inwardly, wondering if this will ever work.
“Hey.” Josh tucks his finger under my chin. “Look at me.”
I do as I’m told, despite the frustration that burns through me. Frustration with Hayes and Ashley, but also frustration with Josh for always telling me what to do. If I had to continue putting up with him and his demands, there better be a payout at the end of it all.
When his lips slam into mine, I’m momentarily stunned. That came out of nowhere. I mean, I know he wants to flaunt our relationship in front of Hayes and Ashley, but I wasn’t expecting to be mauled in the middle of the diner. This is a family place, not exactly a bar or hookup joint. Pretty sure PDA is frowned upon here. Then again, Hayes and Ashley are pretty cozy in their little booth. Most likely they were lip-locked at some point this morning. Perhaps Josh saw them, and now he’s determined to give them a taste of their own medicine. It seems like a Josh thing to do.
Josh’s hands slide up my spine, his lips moving aggressively over mine. I try to respond to it with vigor since I know that’s what I need to do, but it’s a challenge. I’m acutely aware of my surroundings. Every voice and clanging of dishes reverberates through my body. Not to mention that the smell of grease and eggs turns my stomach. I’m not a big breakfast eater. That’s probably one of the reasons Anna was so surprised when I asked to come here.
As Josh draws back from me, he subtly shakes his head. “I can see why Hayes chose Ashley over you,” he whispers, his face so close to mine it probably appears to onlookers that we are still kissing.
Me: Yes.
Standing up, I push my chair back. The legs scrape against the tile floor. “I’m going to meet Josh for breakfast.”
“You just ate breakfast,” Anna says incredulously.
I glare at her. “Just a little cereal.”
“I thought Josh was busy,” she adds.
“Now he’s not.” I shrug, unnerved by the way she’s been behaving all morning. “Is it okay?” I look at Mom and Dad.
“Why doesn’t he come over here?” Mom pops open the fridge door. “I can make us something.” My stomach clenches as she sticks her head inside the refrigerator. “Shoot. We’re out of eggs.”
“It’s fine, Mom. He’s already at the diner. Can I meet him there?” I ask, desperation rising inside of me. My window of time was getting smaller. Hayes and Ashely could be getting ready to leave. Or worse yet, they could already be gone.
Mom bites her lip. Dad’s brows knit together.
“Fine,” Dad finally says. “But talk to him about coming over.”
Relief sweeps over me. “I will.” I spin around and race back to my room to grab my shoes and purse, all the while praying I get to the diner in time.
***
“There’s my girl.” Josh slides out of the booth he’d been sitting at with Nolan and Chase when he spots me entering the diner. He wears a large grin as he approaches me. It’s weird seeing Josh like this. He’s never been the smiling, attentive boyfriend, and at times his demeanor throws me even though I know it’s all an act. His arms fold around my body. “Glad you made it,” he murmurs into my hair. As his warm breath cascades over the skin on my neck, goosebumps break out on my flesh. There are moments when this feels real, and my heart comes dangerously close to opening up to him. But I know it’s silly. Besides, he’s not the one I want.
When we separate, my gaze flickers to the right. Ashley and Hayes are sitting in a booth, sharing a plate of pancakes. My stomach sours at the sight of them squished together on the same bench, not even across from each other. Could they be any more sickening? Not only that, but they don’t seem to notice Josh or me at all. They’re too busy making googly eyes at each other. I groan inwardly, wondering if this will ever work.
“Hey.” Josh tucks his finger under my chin. “Look at me.”
I do as I’m told, despite the frustration that burns through me. Frustration with Hayes and Ashley, but also frustration with Josh for always telling me what to do. If I had to continue putting up with him and his demands, there better be a payout at the end of it all.
When his lips slam into mine, I’m momentarily stunned. That came out of nowhere. I mean, I know he wants to flaunt our relationship in front of Hayes and Ashley, but I wasn’t expecting to be mauled in the middle of the diner. This is a family place, not exactly a bar or hookup joint. Pretty sure PDA is frowned upon here. Then again, Hayes and Ashley are pretty cozy in their little booth. Most likely they were lip-locked at some point this morning. Perhaps Josh saw them, and now he’s determined to give them a taste of their own medicine. It seems like a Josh thing to do.
Josh’s hands slide up my spine, his lips moving aggressively over mine. I try to respond to it with vigor since I know that’s what I need to do, but it’s a challenge. I’m acutely aware of my surroundings. Every voice and clanging of dishes reverberates through my body. Not to mention that the smell of grease and eggs turns my stomach. I’m not a big breakfast eater. That’s probably one of the reasons Anna was so surprised when I asked to come here.
As Josh draws back from me, he subtly shakes his head. “I can see why Hayes chose Ashley over you,” he whispers, his face so close to mine it probably appears to onlookers that we are still kissing.
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