She raises her eyebrows. “But true.”
I sigh again. “Yeah, but Ben’s different. I don’t want to mess this up.”
She takes my hand and squeezes gently. “He likes you, Ash. He kissed you. That’s not nothing.”
I look down at our joined hands. I still can’t let myself believe that yet. I want it to be true, but I’m cautious. “Yeah, maybe. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.”
I drop her hand, stand up, and head toward the door, determined to change the subject. “Now, go try that dress on. You’ll look amazing.”
“I see what you’re doing, Ashlyn Brookes,” she calls after me. “You can’t fool me. I’ve known you too long.”
“Show me the dress when you’ve got it on,” I shout, ignoring her comment as I close the door behind me and head back to the living room.
She’s right; I can’t fool her. She knows exactly how into him I am. I’ve never been the shy type when it comes to going after what I want, even if it’s never really worked out before. But this feels different. And the last thing I want to do is ruin it by saying too much, too soon.
Just over an hour later,we’re all gathered around one of the booths in a packed Eden. Seb has to work the bar, but other than him, everyone’s here. It doesn’t happen all that often with Wyatt being away, and Nash and Paisley working shifts, but I love it when it does.
“Hey, Ash,” Taylor says excitedly. I look across at her. “I think you might have an admirer.”
I frown. “What? Who?”
“Yeah, who?” Nash asks from beside me.
Taylor gestures with her head to the dance floor. “The guy in the blue shirt.”
I look out to where she’s looking, my heart pounding and my cheeks flushing with heat.
“You know him?” she asks.
“Yeah, I know him.”
His gaze holds mine, and he smiles before heading over.
“Who is he?” Paisley asks, the whole table listening to my and Taylor’s exchange.
“My boss.”
“That’sPrincipal Murphy?” Paisley whispers.
I’d told Paisley and Taylor about Ben and our impromptu cooking class last week. I think they knew I liked him, and it looks like everyone’s about to meet him.
“Hey, Ashlyn. How’s your Christmas vacation going?” he asks, his eyes still fixed on mine.
My heart thunders in my chest. I can’t believe he’s here. I never specifically told him I’d be here tonight, but I did say I’d be in Eden over the holidays. Did he come looking for me?
“Yeah, good. You?” He nods, and I turn to everyone. “Guys, this is Ben Murphy, my principal.” I look back at Ben. “Ben, this is my family. My brothers, Wyatt, Nash, and Cade. This is Cade’s wife, Sophie, Nash’s girlfriend, Paisley, and our friends, Ivy and Taylor.”
He laughs. “That’s a lot of names to remember. Great to meet you all.”
After everyone says hello, his eyes find mine again.
“Can I buy you a drink, Ash?”
Butterflies erupt in my stomach, and my cheeks heat further as everyone looks at me while they await my reply. I’m not going to say no, even if this is playing out in front of my family.
“Umm… sure.”
I push back from the table and flash a grin over my shoulder at the girls before heading off with him. After weaving our way through the crowd to the bar and grabbing drinks, we manage to snag a free high table near the door. I hop up onto one of the stools, watching as Ben takes the seat next to me.
