“I was literally standing right in front of her.”
“Yes, but you didn’t watch her, not really. When you looked at your sister, she never took her eyes off you once. When Candice appeared, she didn’t even look at her. Samantha introduced her, but Megan didn’t take her eyes off you thewhole time.”
“Seriously? What do you thinkthat means?”
“I don’t know, but that girl feels something towards you—that’s undeniable, I knowthat much.”
“Who knows.” Ashley shrugged. It didn’t matter how hard she tried to play it cool, the grin on her face gave away her true feelings.
Madison was still holding her arm throughout the conversation. “You just leaving yourhand there?”
Madison slapped her arm and then pulled away. “My bad.”
After ten minutes, Samantha assumed everyone who was due to arrive was there, so she announced the food was ready. A buffet-style serving had been prepared by the chefs. The selection was a delightful one, an array of different flavoured sliders, frittata, several large charcuterie boards, Italian pasta salad and meatballs. The latter sent Ashley’s tastebuds into a frenzy.
A blush pink place card indicated where each guest should sit. When Ashley and Madison found their positions at the top right of the table, Ashley was relieved to see Megan and Candice on the opposite side, sixseats down.
The afternoon went smoothly. After the food, the games began. ‘Guess That Tune’ was a crowd-pleaser, ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’ by Britney Spears and ‘Always Be My Baby’ by Mariah Carey the only two songs Ashley guessed correctly. The winner was Samantha’s future mother-in-law. The scowls from other family members indicated she was theleast liked.
The game ‘Find The Guest’ involved socialising, getting to know people in order to fill in the card with who each fun fact belonged to. That was the one game that would continue throughout the evening, the prize had been donated by Lucas’s dad. A three-course meal at The Valley Hill Bistro, the poshest place in town, according to his dad, but then again, hedid own it.
Ashley instantly knew which fact belonged to Megan. The third box from the top read,‘I play basketball in England, but my dream is to play in the WNBA’.Samantha could have made it more difficult. After an hour, Ashley had twenty-five of the thirty boxes filled and she was feeling pretty confident.
Other than the occasional smile across a packed table, Ashley and Megan had barely spoken two words to each other, not since their opening encounter earlier in the day. It seemed they were both just as intent on avoiding each other. Ashley watched Candice leave, assuming she’d gone to the restroom, but when she didn’t return, Ashley started to wonder whether she’d called it a night. Megan remained, continuing her conversation with Samantha and a few of their Stanford friends—their names she’d forgotten.
It quickly reached the time in the evening where adults with children went home, grandparents retreated to bed and the DJ brought out the more provocative music. Ashley had tried to avoid her mom for most of the evening; the show of affection she displayed to her new boyfriend was deemed excessive in most people’s eyes. Surprisingly, Benjamin didn’t rise to Christine’s childish behaviour. They’d stayed at separate sides of the room for most of the night, which suited both parties equally.
It was Christine that started the slow dancing, requesting ‘You’re Still The One’ by Shania Twain. Ashley rolled her eyes. It was one of many songs played at her parents’ wedding and just another dig at Benjamin. The desired effect was actually the opposite of what she wanted to achieve, but Ashley figured it was better than her sobbing in a corner for the duration of thebaby shower.
The whole event could have been mistaken for a wedding at first glance. It had the atmosphere that you would expect; everyone dressed in their best attire, flowers, favours, gifts, a photographer. The DJ continued with the slow songs after another five couples joined the dancefloor—his prepared set of 90s pop and classic country would have to wait.
Madison was happily conversing with one of Lucas’s cousins for over an hour. Little did she know that she was as straight as a ruler, but Ashley wasn’t about to burst her bubble. The next song caught Ashley’s attention; the slow piano introduction sounded familiar. She couldn’t place it right away, then she glanced towards a small circular table by the DJ booth. There sat Megan, quietly swaying, watching patiently.Thinking about what? Ashley wondered. Then it clicked. The song was ‘I Should Go’ by Levi Kreis, the song played on their first date in Dos Caminos. They had discussed how odd it was to play such a slow song; it wasn’t the right atmosphere, but Megan had expressed her love for said song and knewevery word.
It took Ashley the whole first verse and chorus to pluck up the courage to ask Megan to dance. She strolled over, so unsure of herself that she could trip at any moment. Her heart thudded hard in her chest, yet on the outside, she looked calm and composed. Megan’s eyes grew wider as sheapproached.
“Would you like to dance?”
Madison grinned. “What took you so long?”
The nerves eased immediately. Ashley extended her arm hoping chivalry points would work in her favour. They took their position on thedancefloor.
“Did you requestthis song?”
“Yes,I love it.”
“I remember.”
Megan raised her eyebrow, surprised or suspicious, Ashley couldn’t tell.
“I was surprised to hear about you and Madison.”
“What about us?”
“That you’re a couple. Doesn’t she mind you dancing with me?” Meganquestioned.
“We’re not a couple.”
“Oh, your dad said—”
