Page 33 of Always Been You

“I did too. Say bye before you leave?” I ask him.

“Of course,” with a quick kiss, he walks down the hallway to his office.

I make my way into my bedroom and throw myself on my bed, landing on my back, and let out an excited squeal while kicking my legs. I just went on a first date with Joshua fucking Lincoln and it was great. It was easy and fun. He wants to go away this weekend to help me with my list. Wow, a weekend away with Josh in Whistler, away from the city and our friends, just the two of us.

I sit up on my bed, lean against my headboard, and grab my phone to text the girls.

Liv:I just went on a first date with Joshua Lincoln, OMG!!!

Zo:Seriously, how are we just hearing about this? Details girl. Don’t leave anything out you owe us.

Han:What have we missed since last night??? Girl, details!!!

Liz:…. Liv, don’t leave us hanging.

Liv:Group call???

Zo:In 30?

Liz:30 works

Han:????

Liv:Sounds good!

I haven’t talked to Matt in a while, so I decide to give him a call and check in. He answers on the third ring.

“Hey Liv, is everything all good?” he answers.

“Yup, I just realized it’s been a while since we talked, wanted to chat. What are you up to tonight?” I ask knowing full well he has hockey with Josh.

“I have a game tonight. What about you?”

“Not sure. Might hang out with the girls tonight. What rink are you playing at?”

“Kits at 7 p.m.” I make a noise of acknowledgement.

“You played at that one in high school sometimes, didn’t you?” I ask.

“Yeah, it’s a decent rink. How’s living with Josh going?”

“It’s fine. Between work, hockey, and other things, he’s not home a lot. When he is, we eat dinner together, maybe watch an episode of a show together.” I keep it brief so that he doesn’t get any indication of Josh and me. We continue to chat for a bit.

“I’m glad it’s working out sis, hey I’ve got a meeting I have to go into. I’ll talk to you later.”

Matt hangs up the phone, and I lay my head back against the headboard when my phone rings again. I look down and Zoey’s face fills the screen. I slide my finger across to answer and a second later; the screen splits, showing Zoey, Hannah, and Eliza.

“Okay girl, spill,” Zoey says, skipping any greeting. A huge smile spreads across my face.

“Okay, so Josh came home from work early today because he said he wanted an answer after last night. He walked in on me cleaning the kitchen in a t-shirt and underwear.”

“Seriously?” Hannah asks.

“I thought he wouldn’t be home until after hockey. I thought, ‘What’s the harm?’ ya know?”

“Okay, what next?” Zoey asks.

“He asked if I had an answer for him, and I said yes. Then he kissed me. God, that kiss was hot, and he told me that if we do this, he doesn’t share, it’s just me and him.”

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