My eyebrows shoot up. “Seriously?”
She nods, smiling. “Sure. And I could order us some pizza while you look.”
“You mean… come over now?” I ask, surprised.
“Yeah, why not? You’re headed home to an empty house and so am I. We may as well eat together. I can drop you back later.”
A tangle of nerves twists in my stomach. Part of me wants to say yes. I don’t have many close friends here, despite what I’ve let Dad believe. Back in Phoenix, I had a good group, but moving schools senior year? That’s not exactly a recipe for instant popularity. Chelsea’s the only one I really talk to now, and… we’re not that close. Even that girls’ weekend I went on was kind of a bust. Chelsea only invited me because they needed one more person to split the cost of the cabin. It ended up being kind of awkward since I barely knew anyone.
Still, this is Ashlyn inviting me over. The same person I’ve spent weeks convincing myself I can’t stand. But now… I’m not so sure. I can’t believe she’s asking me after how I’ve behaved. Dad kept saying I’d like her if I just gave her a chance, and for the first time, I’m starting to think he might be right.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Ashlyn
Ihold my breath, waiting for Laney to respond. Maybe it's because Wyatt's here, but she feels different from the girl I met a few weeks ago at Eden. Sure, she’d been drinking that night, but I was expecting at least some attitude when I came to pick her up tonight, especially after what happened with her cancelling my and Ben’s date. I'm not one to hold grudges, though. We've all made mistakes when we were younger.
I can tell she’s torn. She’s been clear about not wanting to build any kind of relationship with me, and I understand why. Hell, she didn’t even want me over for dinner, but it feels like we’ve taken a small step forward tonight. As inconvenient as her breakdown was, maybe it’s exactly what needed to happen to give us a chance at starting a friendship.
“Okay,” she says at last. “If you’re sure, then yeah… that sounds good. Thanks.”
I smile. “Perfect. I’ll drop Wyatt off first, then we can head to mine.”
“No pizza for me then?” Wyatt teases from the back seat, but his tone is playful.
“Not a chance,” I reply with a laugh. “Girls’ night only.”
“Figured as much,” he mutters with a grin.
Laney chuckles. “I’m sure you’ve got better things to do than hang out with us anyway.”
“Actually,” Wyatt says, leaning forward slightly. “Mind dropping me at Eden? I’ll see if Seb’s working.”
“Sure,” I reply.
A few minutes later, we pass the Welcome to Hope Creek sign, and soon after, I’m pulling up outside Eden. Wyatt’s already unbuckling his seatbelt when Laney turns to him.
“Thanks for coming out with Ash to rescue me,” she says, and a small smile tugs at my lips when she calls me Ash for the first time.
“No problem,” Wyatt replies. “Wish I could’ve fixed it.”
He gets out and shuts the door behind him. A moment later, he steps over to my side, leans down to the open window, and kisses me on the cheek.
“See you soon, Ash. And it was nice meeting you, Laney.”
Laney’s cheeks flush a soft pink as she gives him a quick wave. “You too, Wyatt.”
He flashes her a grin, raises his hand in farewell, and then strolls toward Eden, disappearing inside.
As I pull away from the curb, Laney lets out a breathy laugh. “Did that really just happen?”
“Sure did,” I reply, smiling over at her.
“I should’ve asked for a photo or something,” she says, shaking her head. “But that would’ve been weird, right?”
I laugh. “Wyatt probably wouldn’t have minded. Next time.”
A little while later, we’re riding the elevator up to my apartment. Laney’s gone quiet, and I’m hoping once she’s inside and rummaging through my wardrobe, she’ll relax a little.
