Nothing Like the First Time by Keren Hughes Page B

to marry him. I didn’t think he was serious but now I think I’ve hurt his feelings.”
    “Wow , so what are you going to do? How have you hurt his feelings? Please, spill all the gossip!”
    I recou nted the night before, leaving out the details of us making love. When I had finished my story, she was quiet for a moment.
    “Well , for what it’s worth, I think he was serious, and you not saying yes right away has probably knocked his pride. I think you two need to sit and talk properly,” she said in her serious tone, by which I knew she thought I was an idiot for not saying yes. But there were things to consider and on top of that, yes—the proposal was spontaneous and romantic but also, who proposes just after making love?
    “Well , there are things we need to talk about, Jodie. When the air is cleared, then and only then would I consider a serious proposal.”
    By the silence that greeted that comment, I knew Jodie was choosing her next words carefully—a first for her.
    “Yes, th ere’s a lot to be talked over, I understand that. He left you high and dry ten years ago and now he’s back and proposing. I know it must be a lot to take in, but Carly, you have never loved another like him and you would be a fool not to marry the man who owns your heart.”
    “There’s nothing like the first time. No one can compare to your first love,” I said as I sat at the end of the dock with the blanket around my shoulders.
    “Exactly ,” Jodie said. I heard Matt’s voice in the background and was happy that she was happy. Was I selfish to want some of that kind of happiness for myself?
    “I’ll call you later , Jodie. I have things to think through,” I said as I got up and fished my car keys from my pocket. We said our goodbyes and I walked towards my car.
    “Going somewhere?” Grey’s voice startled me.
    “I…” I couldn’t tell him I needed space, but I couldn’t just run away, either.
    “I hoped that last night proved undoubtedly that I love you , Carly Summers, and wherever you are, I will follow you to the ends of the earth to make you Carly Sterling.”
    “I have to get going , Grey, I’m sorry. Jodie can’t do her shift at work so I said I’d fill in.” The lie rolled off my tongue.
    “Really? And you couldn’t come in to tell me that?” he said as he walked towards me.
    “Sorry, I was in a rush and I didn’t think. Look, I’ll see you later. Meet me at my place tonight if you’re free,” I said, trying to backtrack and make things better.
    “Okay, I’ve got some errands to run today—I was going to ask you along but it looks like you’re needed elsewhere. I’ll see you about what, six o’clock?” he asked as he brushed a kiss across my cheek.
    “Sounds great ,” I said as I got in the car. I wound the window down and Grey crouched beside the car so that he could look at me.
    “I love you , Carls,” he said as he leaned in to kiss me.
    I pulled him closer and kissed him with all the fire I felt behind the uncertainty.
    “I love you too, Grey. I’ll see you this evening,” I said as I put the car in reverse and backed slowly out of the drive. I waved goodbye and drove in the general direction of home. I wasn’t really working, so what could I do with myself all day? It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be in Grey’s company and accompanying him on errands could have been fun—doing anything with him could be fun, but I needed some space. I needed some alone time to think about Grey’s proposal and about letting go of the past.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
     
    It was 5:55 p.m. and I heard Grey pulling into my driveway. I hurried to apply a last coat of lip gloss and made my way to the front door.
    The doorbell rang as I stood and took a last look at myself in the hallway mirror. I opened the door and my breath hitched in my throat as Grey stood on the top step, looking devilishly handsome in a black shirt and black trousers —he’d sure dressed