Page 54 of Always Been You

Zo:??????

Unknown Number:Baby, please let me explain.

Unknown Number:Please talk to me. I went to your place, and you weren’t there.

Unknown Number:I went by your place again and they said you don’t live there anymore. Can weplease meet?

Unknown Number:Liv, please meet me.

Unknown Number:I can explain. Let’s meet. I love you, baby.

Liv:Leave me alone. I’m not your ‘baby’ anymore.

Josh walks into the bedroom right after I send the text to Drew. He’s wearing a pair of gym shorts low on his hips and is using a towel to dry his hair as he walks in.

“You okay?” he asks with a worried expression.

“Yup, just answering all the texts I missed this weekend. I guess I forgot to tell Matt and Gi that I was heading out of town for the weekend. So he sent me a few texts, and I guess he reached out to Zo, who told him I went out of town. I just told him I went to Whistler, though I didn’t say we went together.” I avoid his eyes at the last part.

He throws his towel into his laundry hamper and climbs into bed beside me.

“You know I respect your decision to not tell Matt about us yet, but I want you to know that when you’re ready, I’ll be there with you to tell him.”

“I know, and I want you to know that I’m not ashamed or anything. In fact, it’s the complete opposite of that. I just don’t want to ruin your relationship with Matt. I want to see where this goes first.”

He leans over and kisses me slowly, his hand moving into my hair, angling my head for him to kiss me more thoroughly.

“I know, babe, and I want you to know that I’m proud to be yours and that you’re mine.” His words send a thrill through me. I never thought I’d here those words from him.I settle into the bed and wrap my arms around him, placing my head on his chest.

“Good night, Josh.”

“Good night, Olivia.”

The next morning,I wake to an empty bed. Josh has gotten up and gone to work already. I get up, throw our clothes from the trip into the washer, and make myself breakfast before pulling out my laptop and working on some plans for the upcoming school year. Around lunch time I text Josh.

Liv:Hey! I’m just getting ready to make myself lunch. I won’t be home for dinner. I’m going out with the girls. Do you want me to leave you some food for dinner???

My Man:Hey, no need. I think I’ll meet up with the guys for a beer. Have fun tonight. Let me know if you need me to pick you up.

Liv:Okay, have fun. I’ll take an Uber if needed.

My Man:Okay,have fun, be safe.

Liv:You too??

I spend the rest of my day reading and finishing the laundry, folding, and putting it away before getting ready to meet with the girls. We chose a nice restaurant not far from Josh’s place. I dress in a skirt, a nice blouse, and a pair of black flats. I put my headphones in before heading out and walking to the restaurant. As I walk, a gentle breeze sweeps through the streets, helping cool the warm summer air and brings the smell of the food out of the nearby restaurants. When I get there, Zoey is already there with a table for us. I join her, pulling her in for a hug before sitting across from her.

“Okay, so we will keep the juicy details for when the girls get here, but how are you?” Zoey asks.

“Good, really good. I’m glad that we went. I think I would have enjoyed it solo, but it was better being there with him.” My cheeks hurt from how big my smile is.

“I’m sure it was. I haven’t been in a while, but I remember it being a nice place to escape.”

“Yeah. It was gorgeous and relaxing. A pleasant change of pace from the city. How are you?”

“Good, nothing special on my front. I did get that unexpected call from your brother wondering where you were. I didn’t say anything about Josh, but I’m surprised he didn’t call him.”

“I never thought to ask him if Matt called. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if Matt used it as an excuse to call you. He seems to do that a lot.”

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