Nothing Like the First Time by Keren Hughes Read Free Book Online

the pain in my voice.
    “See you then , honey.”
    I made my way to Grey’s childhood home. I was attacked by memories from all sides as I drove down the familiar roads. I couldn’t help but feel a pang in my chest as I saw the garage where Grey had done his work experience while we were in high school. I had once loved the smell of the oil and grease on his skin. Then I passed the park where we had met for lunch throughout our summers. A stray tear escaped my eye and I wiped it with the back of my hand.
    I pulled into the Sterlings ’ drive a short while later. Katrina answered the door with a smile on her face and greeted me with a kiss on the cheek.
    “It’s so good to see you , Carly, it’s been too long,” Katrina said as she closed the door behind me.
    “It’s good to see you too , Katrina,” I said with a small smile.
    “Lizzie is in the lounge. I’ll go and make us some coffee ,” she said as she made her way toward the kitchen.
    “Great, thanks ,” I said and made my way to the lounge.
    “Carly, is that really you?” Lizzie’s face lit up as soon as she saw me.
    “It’s really me, Lizzie,” I said as I took a seat next to her.
    “Look at you, all grown up. You look sad though , honey, what’s eating you?” That was Lizzie all over, perceptive and forthright.
    “I’m good , Lizzie, I’m just a bit hung-over,” I answered and tried not to look her in the eye—it was like the woman was a human lie-detector.
    “Oh dear, were you out late last night?”
    “I was. I went out with Jodie.” I saw no point in mentioning Grey because then the conversation would take a direction I didn’t want it to.
    “ Oh, you two are still friends after all these years? That’s nice,” Lizzie said, smiling at me.
    “Yeah , we are. She’s my best friend.” I smiled back.
    “You were always so close.”
    Katrina brought the coffee in, and though the conversation veered towards Grey a couple of times, I managed to get it back on track—talking about anything and everything that came to mind except for my current internal struggle. I didn’t want to hear about Grey and Maggie and how ‘loved up’ they were and thankfully, neither one of them mentioned Maggie once.
    After spending some time catching them up on my journalism career, Jodie, and my waitressing and other day to day things, I bid the ladies goodbye. I kissed them both on the cheek and Katrina saw me to the door. Just when I thought I had got out unscathed, Katrina opened her mouth and the next words that came out were “You and Grey should do some catching up now he’s home for a while.”
    “I’m sure we will, Katrina. It was great to see you, I won’t leave it so long next time.”
    “Make sure you don’t, it was lovely seeing you, honey,” she said and waved me off as I got in the car.
    I drove away , and though I was glad to have seen them both, I was glad to be out of the line of questioning.
    My phone beeped with a text a few minute s later and as I parked the car on my drive, I picked it up and read:
     
    Carls, I know you’re ignoring me but just so you know, I’m NOT giving up on you. G xx
     
    I put my phone in my purse and went to the front door. There I saw a bouquet of red roses from Alfonso’s Florist, the most expensive florist in town. The card read:
     
    Ti Amo Con Tutto Il Mio Cuore
     
    Which is the Italian for I love you with all my heart . There was no signature on the card but I’d know the handwriting anywhere. Greyston. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, he was sending me flowers. Did he think I was willing to play ‘the other woman’ or to break up his relationship? If he did, he was damn wrong.
    I went into the house, put the roses in a vase , and shoved the card into a drawer in the kitchen. He’d always signed birthday, anniversary, Christmas and Valentine’s cards the same way. I decided to put some music on and do the household chores before I could stop and stew over the