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“Um…” Chloe’s face scrunched up a little as she bit her lip.
“What? What’s with the face?”
“I hate to say this, Ash, but…I call BS.”
And she was back on her feet again. “Excuse me? Why?”
“Because you’re a runner, Ashlynn! You have always walked away and now you met someone who’s basically doing that to you and you’re hating it!” Her shoulders sagged a bit. “Look, I will agree that he should have called, but you have to understand how huge his getting put on leave is. He’s made a career out of firefighting and he could lose that.”
“But he should have talked to me!”
“And that’s something the two of you will eventually have to discuss, but I can’t let you stand here playing the martyr when Reid’s doing the same thing you’ve done in every relationship you’ve ever been in. And just because you never went back, doesn’t mean he won’t.”
It would have been easy to keep arguing this—mainly because she just wanted to fight with someone at this point—but as usual, her sister was only speaking the truth.
Dammit.
“So should we move over to Books and Beans?” Chloe asked, but she was already texting people without waiting for Ash’s response. “Come on. Jade said that works because almost everyone is already there.”
“Fine.”
They drove together in Chloe’s car and for the life of her, Ashlynn still had no idea what good this was all going to do.
They were walking up to the door of the coffee shop when she stopped her sister. “Um…can we maybe keep the focus on the fire and not on Reid?”
“Sure, but…how come?”
“You know this sort of thing can be a sensitive subject for Billie. It’s not like she ever talks about it, but when everyone’s happy and in love, she’s happy. And when someone leaves…”
“Oh, right. Yeah, but I think she’s getting better about that. And with so much else to this particular story…”
“Chlo, please. I’m already conflicted about being here. Can we just not bring up Reid taking off if possible?”
That frown was back but she nodded. “Fine. No one will hear it from me.”
“Thanks.”
As soon as they stepped inside, Ashlynn was immediately embraced by Levi and Billie. Then Jade walked over and hugged her before leading her to a table in the far corner of the shop that offered a little bit of privacy. “I’m going to grab you a Frappuccino and a brownie. How does that sound?”
“Like you’re my new best friend,” Ashlynn replied with a smile. Her cousin Patrick came over and hugged her and then introduced her to Ryder Ashford, the guy who was investing a lot of money in Sweetbriar Ridge. “It’s nice to meet you, Ryder.”
“Pleasure to meet you too, Ashlynn. I heard about your situation and if it’s okay with you, I’ve got my attorney on hold via video to listen in and help.”
“Um…what?”
Patrick put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Trust me, just say yes.”
“O-kay…?”
Jade and Billie walked over with trays filled with food and drinks and placed them down on the tables before sitting down. Levi and Chloe followed and, much to her surprise, Avery was right behind them.
“I can’t believe you’ve been home alone crying instead of calling me,” Avery whispered as she gave her a hug. “And when I get my hands on Leo and tell him what a crappy person Reid is…”
Pulling back, Ashlynn shook her head. “Please don’t. I’d really rather you not talk to Leo about Reid at all, okay?” she murmured. “It’s…it’s complicated.”
Avery frowned but nodded before taking a seat.
Ryder placed his phone on the table before asking Ashlynn what was going on.
