“You don’t get nervous at my age, sweetheart. At this stage, there is nothing I haven’t already experienced.”
“That is a good point. Can you feel your hands again though?”
“Just about. I think the complimentary gloves were agood idea.”
“Agreed.”
“Have you metmy son yet?”
“No, he’s the tall one overby the bar?”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“Aside from the fact he’s the tallest here and he used to play basketball? It was a no-brainer. You have shown me pictures though.”
“And Megan? Where is my granddaughter hiding?” Nancy searched the room, head on a swivel. “She was here aminute ago.”
Ashley felt Madison tense up. Her hand slipped from her arm.
“I’m not sure, I’ll catch up with her soon though.” Ashley attempted to change the subject. “What time do the speeches start?”
“We are going to give it an hour for everyone to get here and settle in then we can start. I’m looking forward to yours the most, just don’t tell Michael.”
Ashley used her index finger to make a symbolic cross over her chest. “Promise.”
“Are Emily and Jason still coming?”
“They said so. I imagine they’ll be hereany minute.”
“Good, the more the merrier.”
Nancy had extended the invitation to Emily and Jason for the after-party. They spent many days and evenings at the bar with Ashley, so Nancy felt it was only right. That relieved the pressure from a social standpoint as Madison didn’t know anyone other than Nancy and Christopher. That had been playing in the back of Ashley’s mind, especially if she was to speak with Megan for a prolonged period of time.
As if the universe predicted it, Emily walked through the entrance. Seconds later, Megan appeared from the restroom and made her way towards Nancyand Ashley.
“I’ll go and say hi to Emily,” Madison said. She kissed her delicately on the cheek and departed.
Megan strutted confidently, stopping beside Nancy. Their eyes never left each other, apart from a quick glance at their colour co-ordinated outfits—another coincidence. Megan wore a light grey figure-hugging dress that stopped just below the knee. The neck was high—a clever choice considering the weather—and covering her shoulders was a dark grey faux fur coat.
“Hi.” Megan smiled.
“Hey.” Ashley leaned in and kissed both cheeks just as Nancy had done, ultimately trying to ease the tension. As she did that, Megan’s hand—strategically or not—cupped underneath Ashley’s chin; the touch felt intimate, which sent a shiver down her spine that lingered long after sheremoved it.
“I can see Christopher wants me so I will leave you two to catch up.” Nancy clinked their champagne glasses together before she left. “I’ll call you over for the speech shortly, my dear.”
“A speech huh? Look at you, you’re like the second granddaughter she never had,” Megan teased.
“Are you jealous because I’m her newfavourite?”
“Oh yeah, super jealous.”
“On a serious note, I was shocked when she asked me.”
Megan sipped her champagne.“I wasn’t.”
“Really?”
“She never stops talking about you. It’s quite annoying actually. ‘Ashley worked this shift for me’, ‘Ashley helped me with this’, ‘Ashley’s going to pick me up a few bits from the store’, ‘I went for a walk through the park with Ashley today’.” Megan rolled her eyes whilst laughing. “It’s sweet though. I’m happy that you created that bond with her. Her family is spread all over the place and I know she finds that hard sometimes. So yeah, I wasn’t surprised sheasked you.”
