17. Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Josh

"I never really got a chance to thank you for what you did," Asher says as we sit on the back of my trunk eating our lunch.

The week has flown by as I try to catch up with the work I missed. Right now, I'm trying to manage this house renovation. It's a huge million-dollar house on the lake that needed to be gutted while simultaneously managing our first commercial project.

Asher and I are rarely in the same place at once, since we are always managing different projects, but he stopped by today to bring me some lunch.

"Thank me for what?" I ask as I shove a chip into my mouth.

"For going to Italy with my sister, you idiot."

"Oh, that. It's no problem. It turned out to be really fun. I would've never taken a trip like that otherwise. I'm glad I was forced into it."

Asher chuckles to himself. "Yeah, you're not the fancy vacation type. "

I know it's not meant as an insult; he's just stating a fact, but it still hurts. I could be that person if that's what Layla wants. Why can't I be the type who takes trips to Europe? It was an amazing experience.

I'm starting to realize that maybe I was a total fucking idiot when I was younger and walked away from her. If I wasn't the man she wanted back then, I could've changed or at least been open to experiencing new things. Layla doesn't need a man with millions; she just needs a man who will love her. I can do that.

I am doing that. I've loved her from afar for years. It's about damn time she gets to see what it's like when I don't hide it away.

And honestly, if it makes her happy, then that's all that matters. If her parents are disappointed that she settled for someone like me, that's their problem.

"I could do fancy vacations once in a while."

He looks over at me with amusement flickering in his eyes. "I'll believe that when I see it. You'd prefer a week off right here at home just taking out the boat and enjoying some time with friends."

"Well, I like that too. But maybe Italy made me see things differently."

He shrugs his shoulders. "As long as you and Layla didn't kill each other and had a good time. Anyway, I just wanted to come by and thank you again. If you ever need a favor, I owe you one. I also wanted to invite you to our place tomorrow. We're throwing a birthday party for Brie. It's a bit last minute. Charlotte's just been trying to survive each day and keep some food down."

"Birthday for my favorite girl? I'll be there. What can I get her? "

"You don't need to get her anything. She'll just be happy that you're there."

I scoff. If he thinks I'm showing up to a four-year-old birthday party without a present, he's insane. I'm still gunning to be her favorite uncle, beating out her actual uncles Eric and Liam.

I'll be there. And knowing that Freckles will be there is just icing on the cake for me. I've been giving her space this week to get caught up at work, biding my time for when I see her again.

I walk into Asher and Charlotte's home, holding my present. Their house is huge. It's right on the lake and completely out of any of our price ranges. Charlotte's father passed away and left the house to her. It was vacant for a decade and left to rot. That's how Charlotte and Asher got reacquainted. She hired him to take on the renovations.

The kitchen is decorated with balloons, food and drinks laid out on the large island. Taylor Swift is blasting outside.

Yes, I don't have any daughters or a wife, but I can recognize a Taylor Swift song.

There are Taylor Swift balloons, plates, and cups—letting me know the theme of the party. It appears Brie is a four-year-old Swiftie.

I don't recognize the people chatting in the kitchen, so I wander to the sliding door that leads to a large deck overlooking the water.

The source of the music is evident when I see a large white bouncy house with pastel-colored balloons tied off at the corners.

"There he is," Liam shouts from the corner of the deck.

He's leaning against the railing with a beer in his hand, talking to Eric. I place my present on one of the tables and walk over to them.

"What's going on?" I ask as I approach and shake their hands.

"Just jamming to some Taylor Swift over here," Liam jokes, with Eric rolling his eyes. I forgot he's against fun right now.

I look over at the bouncy house again and spot Asher watching from the outside with some guy I don't know. Brie is in there with several other kids around her age.

"Who are these kids?" I ask.

"Brie's friends. I don't know, some kids from her pre-school, I guess," Eric answers.

She looks adorable laughing with the kids. How is she old enough to invite friends to her party?

I'm watching Brie laugh and giggle when I spot Layla standing out there on the grass next to the bouncy house with Charlotte. She's holding a glass of wine and laughing at something Charlotte just said. She's wearing a white summer dress, her hair down in loose waves. My heart begins to race as I watch, captivated by every little move she makes. Even watching her do something so insignificant, like tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, can get a reaction from me these days.

"There he is," Daniel, Layla's father, says as he approaches. "The man that saved my daughter's trip."

I reach out for a handshake. "Nice to see you again, Mr. Williams."

"I heard the trip was a success. Layla was raving about it just before you got here."

I grin. "It was a great trip."

"I heard you surprised her with a trip to Venice for a night," he says, sounding surprised.

"Yeah, well, she kept going on and on about how much she wanted to go," I lie as I panic.

I don't want him to find out like this and freak out at his granddaughter's party. Thankfully, before we can continue, Layla's mother calls him from the kitchen.

"Excuse me," he says to the three of us. "Your mama is calling. Can't leave her waiting."

Liam and Eric are looking at me, brows quirked. "You surprised my sister with a trip to Venice?" Liam asks.

"Yeah," I reply, shrugging my shoulders like it's no big deal. "I mean, she had mentioned she wanted to go there, and I did a little research. It wasn't that hard to set up."

"Did something happen between you and Layla there?" Eric asks blatantly.

"What? Why would you think that? What would've happened?"

"That's not an answer, asshole," Liam quips.

Shit. I'm sweating now, and it has nothing to do with the Georgia heat. They can't make a scene like this. Layla will never give us a chance if this is how it goes down. I'm about to beg and plead for them to be discrete.

"Because if you two finally pulled your heads out of your asses and realized you were crazy about each other, I'd say it's about fucking time," Liam follows up.

Well, that's unexpected.

"Sooo, if something happened, you wouldn't be mad?"

"Why would we be mad?" Eric asks with confusion.

"Umm, because it's your little sister. And I'm not good enough for her."

Both guys start to crack up. "Please tell me that's not what's been holding you back all of these years."

I fold my arms across my chest, not sure I like this reaction either.

"It's part of it," I say in defense.

That just makes them laugh harder. "You're such an idiot. I can't believe you thought we would be mad," Eric says. Well, at least I got him to lighten the fuck up.

"Seriously, have you met any of the tools she's dated? Like that William douchebag. If we like you enough to keep you around, why would we be against you being with our sister?" Liam questions.

My jaw tenses at the mention of William's name. At least they agree he's a tool .

"Yeah, we're not some old-school protective brothers who will stop our sister from being happy. Plus, you're a good guy," Eric says.

How many years did I worry about what her family would think about me? I would lay around at night, picturing her brothers punching me if they found out, telling me I was trash and not good enough for their sister.

Did I project all my insecurities onto them and then use it as the reason why I couldn't be with the woman that I love?

I want to punch myself in the face for being so stupid.

"There she is," Liam says to somebody behind me. "I heard this man surprised you and took you to Venice."

I smell her perfume first. My body relaxes for the first time since I've gotten here. That's the effect she has on me now.

"Oh, yeah, he did. It was really sweet. Venice was amazing, too. It's so beautiful at night."

I don't want these two idiots to call us out right now and ruin it for Layla. I give them a look that I pray they understand. Eric nods slightly at me in understanding. "Come help me get some beers," Eric cuts in, gesturing to Liam.

Liam looks confused by the request. "That doesn't sound like a two-person job."

"Just fucking get over here, you idiot," he replies as he punches Liam's arm.

The two of them walk off, bickering at each other. With the two of them gone, I lean against the railing and watch Layla squirm like she's nervous to be left alone with me .

"I didn't know you were gonna be here," she says softly with her arms behind her back.

"I wouldn't miss being here for my favorite girl." Her lips part in surprise. "Brie," I clarify.

"Right. Of course," she replies.

"Aww, don't get jealous. She's my favorite girl. You're my favorite woman, Freckles."

She rolls her eyes like she doesn't care, but I know she does. I see that she wants to smile. I'll get her there. Right now, I'm guessing she is still questioning where we stand. I didn't call her this week, and it's probably messing with her. I just don't want to rush this and scare her.

But now that I'm with her, I don't think I can keep myself away.

"Uncle Joshie!" Brie screams as she runs up the deck stairs.

I bend down and lift her into my arms. While I'm showering her with kisses, I notice Charlotte pulls Layla into the kitchen for help. She may think she's escaped me, but I'll be back for her.

Chaos ensues as the birthday cake is brought out. We sing Happy Birthday, my eyes on Layla the entire time, and then everyone starts to disperse as they eat cake. It only takes about two minutes for the sugar high to kick in, and all the kids flock to the bouncy house again.

Layla disappears into the kitchen. I look around to see everyone deep in conversations on the deck, then put my beer down and walk inside. I find her putting out some more snacks. I know she sees me walk in, but she keeps her head down .

I walk up behind her, my body only an inch away from hers, then I grab her hand. I lead her down the hallway, into the bathroom and shut the door behind us.

Not giving her a second to talk, I grab her behind her neck and kiss her. It's a hungry kiss, letting her know just how much I've missed her.

Her hands fist the front of my t-shirt as she kisses me back with just as much desperation.

"God, I've missed you, Freckles," I say through our kisses.

I push her against the door and slide one of the straps of her dress down, exposing her breast. My hand wraps around it, massaging its fullness as my thumb glides over her nipple.

She moans into my mouth while I continue. Then I pull away and move my mouth to her nipple, sucking and biting lightly.

"I missed you too," she finally answers me.

I stand up and free both breasts, looking into her eyes while I take one in each hand. Her eyes are almost shut as she reacts to my touch. Then we hear voices coming from the kitchen, and her eyes are alert.

"Shit," she whispers as she pulls her straps back into place. "We can't be doing this here."

She's right. A child's birthday party is hardly the place to get her naked and fuck her.

"Come to my place after this," I insist, rubbing a finger across her smooth cheek.

I need to see her, need to hold her in my arms and remember what it felt like to feel content .

"Your place?" she whispers.

"Yeah, my place. You know where I live, right?"

"Of course, I know where you live."

"Good. Come back and spend the night with me." I don't give her a chance to overthink this and decline. I kiss her forehead and open the bathroom door.

"I'll go first," I whisper, then walk straight out to the deck.

Whoever was in the kitchen is gone now, so the coast is clear. Asher and his father are talking football, my kind of conversation, so I grab my beer and jump in.

My eyes follow Layla as she walks out a minute later. No one else can see the difference in her, but I see the extra spark of excitement in her eyes and the slightly swollen lips. Her eyes catch mine from across the deck, and I wink.

She bites her lower lip as she smiles and looks down. I chuckle to myself.

I try to mentally be present for the rest of the party, but it's hard. I keep finding Layla across the room, my eyes like magnets to her. Once everything starts to wind down, I start to say goodbye to everyone, saving Layla as my last goodbye.

I wrap my arms around her. "You better be at my place soon, Freckles. I'm feeling very impatient right now."

Once again, I don't leave time for her to respond. I walk away backward and wink again as her jaw falls.

Making her mine is going to be fun.