More Than Friends | A Sequel to Just Friends | Joe Jonas Fanfiction

Chapter 34

„Mommy! Daddy!" Willa screamed as she ran down the stairs.

They both dropped their suitcases and crouched down, greeting her in a big embrace.

„Hi, babygirl." Joe chuckled, kissing her head.

„Oh, we missed you!" Ann said, hugging her tighter.

„Mama!" Delphine squealed, as Sophie walked down with her in her arms.

„Del!" Ann grinned, taking her from Sophie. „Hey, mom." She said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

„Hey, honey." Sophie smiled. „Joe!" She said wrapping him in a tight embrace, almost making them fall. Ann just rolled her eyes, used to her prioritizing Joe over her. „How was it? How was it? Tell me everything!"

„Mom, it was so beautiful! You have no idea!" Ann sighed with the biggest smile on her lips.

It was quickly brushed away, once she saw Josh slowly walking down the stairs. He had a sad smile painted on his face, his hands hidden in his pockets as he approached her.

Meanwhile Joe took the girls and walked to the living room to avoid any awkward conversations.

„Hey." Josh said quietly, almost in a whisper.

„Hi." Ann said back, even quieter, guilt feeling up her whole body.

„I've missed you." He smiled, trying to catch eye contact with her.

„Yeah, me too." She locked eyes with him and smiled back.

He walked closer to her, brushing his hand on her arm. „Can I... kiss you?"

Her gaze immediately traveled to Joe. For the past few days he took really good care of her lips and it felt almost as if she would wash away all the good memories away with it. But she wasn't with Joe. She was dating Josh. His kisses should be taking over her lips.

And just as if he was reading her mind, Joe turned to look at her as he sat on the floor with the girls. She swallowed hard and turned back at Josh with a painted smile.

„Yeah... of course." She chuckled lightly, giving him a quick kiss on the lips.

And just like that, the memories on her lips disappeared, just like Joe's hope when he saw that. The only difference was... she felt nothing. The kiss did nothing to her body. No butterflies, no shivers, no fire... Nothing.

She tried to shake the feeling away, joining them in the living room, as Delphine showed off her new toys.

She tried to make some eye contact with Joe, but he was already lost in his thoughts. After a few seconds he stood up, excusing everyone and running upstairs to his guest bedroom.

Ann sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. This is exactly the mess she was expecting.

„Hey." Sophie put a hand on her shoulder. „You wanna talk?"

She looked at her and smiled. In that moment, a mother-daughter talk was exactly what she needed. She nodded, taking her hand as she helped her stand up.

„Josh, honey, could you take a look at the girls for a while?" She patted him on the shoulder.

„Yeah, yeah, of course." He nodded with a smile.

They walked outside, to their favorite place for hard conversations. Ann sat down, wrapping herself in a blanket. It wasn't cold in LA, but coming from the hot weather in Italy, the change of the temperature hit her.

„So... tell me everything." She clapped her hand, as she sat next to her.

„Where do I start?" Ann chuckled, immediately smiling at the memories.