I’m surprised we both fit on it to be honest. Her entire body takes up most of the surface, and her feet are hanging over the edge. I’m halfway sitting on it, one foot on the floor, and a leg curled on the couch. She’s lying on my leg. I try to lift most of her hair up so that it doesn’t get caught between my leg and the couch, but as soon as I move my leg, she starts to stir.
I freeze. I don’t know why. It’s not like I plan on skipping out on her without saying goodbye, but I also didn’t want to wake her. I figure she’s got a long night ahead of her at the shop, and I want to make sure she’s well rested. I’m trying to be a gentleman, something I’ve learned from past mistakes with Tonya. I need to be better…for myself, Charleigh, and Layla.
Charleigh sits up rapidly, almost hitting me in the face. She’s pushing all the hair out of her face, yet again, and looks absolutely adorable. Her hair is sticking out in every direction, eyes wide, and hand wiping across her mouth. I’m assuming to make sure there’s no drool present, but it wouldn’t change the way I see her.
Blinking a couple of times, she says. “Morning. Did I wake you up?”
I must look dazed but seeing her to start my day is definitely a good thing. “Nope, I was trying to figure out how to get up without waking you.” I stand up and nearly fall. The blood rushing back into the leg she was sleeping on, causing needles of pain up and down it.
Her smile turns into a small frown, eyebrows dropping lower. “You weren’t even going to say bye?”
Shit. That was the wrong thing to say. I need to think before I speak. “I was going to, but you looked so peaceful. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
That mollifies her, at least a little bit. “Oh.” She pushes a piece of hair behind her ear settling back into the couch. “Do you want to do something today?”
“I can’t today. I have some things I have to do,” I reply. If it were any other day I would love nothing more than to spend the day with her. But, today is not that day. I glance at my watch. I’m supposed to meet Tonya in a few hours so I can get more time with Layla. I’m going to put my daughter first, unlike my parents. I mean, they did put me first in a lot of ways, but not for the right reasons. I refuse to allow myself to end up like them.
I see Charleigh’s shoulders sag. I really hope she doesn’t think that I’m trying to ghost her because I’m not. I just don’t want to drag her into what’s going on in my life right after our first date. “I’ll text or call you when I’m done. Maybe if you’re not at work yet, we can hang out.”
She nods and quietly says, “Okay.”
I walk toward her, squatting down so that I can look into her downcast eyes. “I’ll call you.” I place my hands on hers, until she looks directly at me. “Besides,” I smirk. “You already agreed to a second date. You can’t take that back.”
Finally, I get a small giggle from her. “Actually, I can.” She pauses, weaving her fingers through mine. “But I won’t. I mean, what other guy would be okay with Netflix and chill without taking the “chill” as an invitation for something more.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. “A make-out session would have been nice, just sayin’.”
“It’s not my fault you fell asleep.”
Another chuckle, “You have a point there. But, I really need to go.”
She rises as I stand up and throws her arms around me, nearly knocking me back. “Thanks for last night,” she whispers in my ear. “I had an amazing time.”
“You’re welcome, Charleigh,” I reply. “I had a great time, too. Even on that God forsaken ride.”
I lean in to kiss her, but she rears back. “You can’t kiss me right now. I haven’t even brushed my teeth.”
Chuckling, I say, “Well it’s a good thing that I haven’t either.”
Before she has a chance to protest, I pull her to me. I kiss her long and slow, making sure she knows I’m still interested. Morning breath, and all.
I give her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll talk to you later.”
I head to the door, scooping my keys from the coffee table on my way. “I look forward to it” are the last words I hear before closing the door behind me.
I expect there to be a ton of traffic while walking to my truck, but it’s oddly quiet. I’m used to this in my small town and didn’t think it would be the same in a bigger city. It gives me time to think. Everything in my life seems to be lining up, but I’d be lying to myself if I said this playdate with Layla isn’t making me nervous. Reaf will be there and I don’t know how Layla is going to react with the both of us in the same space.
Will she choose him over me? I can already feel the sting of jealousy building in the pit of my stomach, and it hasn’t even happened yet. How am I supposed to get over that and make this work?
There’s only one way to find out. I just hope I can keep my emotions under control.
* * *
I pullinto one of the few parking spaces available at the Asheville public park. I’ve never been more grateful that Marshall and I wear the same size clothes. I stopped by his house to freshen up on the way here to avoid my parents. I don’t want to face another inquisition.
I see Tonya and Reaf spreading out a blanket on the lush green grass. I have no clue how they keep the grass alive with the high temperature here, but I’m kind of impressed. There’s a stroller beside them that no doubt holds Layla.
I sit in my truck for a few moments, attempting to get my nerves under control. My leg is jittering in an unsteady rhythm as I watch them get everything set for me to arrive. I know I have no reason to be nervous. She did fine when I was at Tonya’s house, but it was just us there. I reach for the handle, forcing myself to pull it open. I haven’t seen them together since Spring Break. And I haven’t interacted with the both of them since I acted like an ass in the fall.