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

flowers and the way Grey made me feel.
    I turned up my iPod in the dock and blasted Depeche Mode as I put on my rubber gloves and set about cleaning.
    The doorbell would’ve interrupted me, if only I’d heard it. Instead, when I went to take out the trash, I nearly tripped over Grey as he sat on my porch.
    “What the hell?” I muttered angrily as he stood and looked at me.
    “Sorry, you weren’t answering the door. You probably didn’t even hear the doorbell over the music. I can’t believe you still listen to them,” he said with a small smile.
    “I don’t stop listening to a band just because you left , Grey,” I said angrily as I stepped around him to take out the trash bag I was holding.
    “I didn’t mean it like that, I just know you’re very eclectic in your music tastes and th is is ten years down the line—people don’t like the same music forever, tastes change,” he said as I side-stepped him.
    “Yeah, well, I love them. I’ve seen them several times ,” I said as I put the bag in the trash can and made my way back to the house.
    “I’ve been to some of their gigs over the years too ,” he said, as if this was a safe topic of conversation.
    “What do you want , Grey? I’m busy, in case you hadn’t noticed,” I pointed out as I stood in the porch, stopping him from walking any further into the house.
    “You didn’t reply to my texts. Nor did you text or call me after you got the flowers. I know you know they were from me, the message was meant to make it obvious.”
    “Well, I was busy and didn’t get a chance to answer you.”
    “Too busy to send a text? You couldn’ t spare thirty seconds to type a reply?” he asked, the hurt obvious in his voice.
    “It wouldn’t have been thirty seconds though , Grey, you know that as well as I do. It wouldn’t have been as simple as one reply and I didn’t have time for a full blown conversation—just like I don’t now. So if you don’t mind, I need to get on with things,” I said and made a move to shut the door.
    Grey put his foot in the way and stopped me from closing the door.
    “I’ll be waiting, Carls. When you’re ready to have a conversation about things, I’ll be here. I’m not going anywhere. I’m looking for a house.”
    T hat last comment shocked me.
    “Fine , but until then, Grey, stay away,” I said as he removed his foot and let me close the door.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
     
    Life over the next couple of weeks was busy. Things were hectic with both jobs, I had deadlines to meet and tables to bus. I also went to Sinners another couple of times, though I didn’t drink any more cocktails. Jodie called me a party-pooper but I stuck to a couple of gin and tonics in case I needed a clear head for dealing with Grey. It turned out that I needn’t have worried though, as he didn’t turn up once. I didn’t get any more text messages or flowers at my door. I was both sad and glad. The former because much as I hated to admit it, Grey coming home had put a smile on my face and a song in my heart. The latter because it meant I didn’t have to fend him off or ignore any more messages.
    One morning, I had a deadline for a piece for the paper and I was waiting for some information to come via courier. When the doorbell rang, it was a courier with a box and thinking it was what I had been waiting for, I sig ned for it and thanked the messenger.
    I went into the lounge and opened the box. What I saw was a complete surprise. One year when Grey and I had been together, I had gone into a shop and bought him a teddy for Valentine’s Day. I know it’s normally girls that get teddy bears, but this one was bearing a message I wanted Grey to read and believe—it said:
     
    You aren’t just my Valentine, you’re my always!
     
    As I looked into the box on the table before me, I saw this teddy, and before I knew it I was on the floor and pulling him out to hold him tight. It smelled like Grey—perfect