Once we have our drinks and find a quieter table, I lay everything out for her. Just like Taylor, she’s as shocked as I was.
“What are you going to do?” she asks, taking a sip of her vodka soda.
“For now? Nothing. I’ve got a bachelorette party to plan, and honestly, I’m exhausted from talking about it.”
Even though I didn’t know all the details of Ben’s situation until tonight, I didknow he was married. It feels like I’ve spent the last few days going around in circles with Ivy about it. At this point, there’s nothing new to say. I just feel drained.
Ivy gives me a knowing look. “Ash. I’ve known you forever. Iknowwhen you’re hurting.”
I shrug. “Talking about it won’t change anything. I just want to forget about it for a little while.”
She squeezes my hand. “Okay,” she says softly. “We don’t have to talk about it.”
I offer her a grateful smile. “Thanks. And thanks for being there for me this week.”
She shakes her head. “You’d do the same for me. That’s what friends are for.”
For the next hour, we go over our weekend plans. We’ve booked a spa day at the Regency Spa in Hope Creek, followed by drinks at Eden once the guys get back from their fishing trip. It’s not a traditional bachelorette party, but with both Paisley and Sophie refusing to spend time apart from Nash and Cade, and Nash and Cade feeling the same, it just made sense to merge everything.
Once we’re sure everything’s set, we call it a night. It’s late, and we both have work in the morning. I’d love nothing more than to call in sick again, but I can’t avoid work forever.
Seb isn’t behind the bar when we leave, and I remember he was heading up to Taylor’s apartment. After saying goodbye to Ryder, Ivy and I step outside. When we reach my apartment building, I pull her into a tight hug.
“See you Saturday,” she says. “Call me if you need me.”
“Thanks, Ivy. See you Saturday.”
Once inside, I collapse face-first onto my bed. I’ve been trying to push everything down all night, but now that I’m alone, it’s all I can think about. Ben’s words keep looping in my head.
I wantthings to work between us more than anything. But after everything he’s told me, I don’t see how they can. How can I be in a relationship with someone whose daughter still believes her parents are together?
As much as I want to fight for us, I don’t see a way to make it work.
Despite the short time we’ve been together, the thought of losing him hurts.
More than I ever expected it to.
CHAPTER NINE
Ben
Islip out of Eden and onto the sidewalk, managing to avoid Seb. As much as I want Ash’s brothers to be on my side, that’s not my priority right now. What matters most is Ash.
Even though she asked for space after I told her about Molly, I feel a sense of relief that the truth is out. I’ve been an idiot the past few weeks, dragging my feet when I should have been honest from the start. Iknewmy feelings for Ashlyn were genuine, but the longer I kept quiet, the harder it became to tell her.
I just pray I haven’t lost her.
With a heavy sigh, I climb into my car and head through Hope Creek toward home. I haven’t spoken to Laney yet, but I know I have to. And it has to betonight.
She hasn’t been home much since she walked in on Ash and me, choosing instead to stay at my parents’ place. But I asked her to come home tonight, and reluctantly, she agreed.
The drive from Hope Creek to River Falls takes about twenty minutes, and with every passing mile, the unease in my chest tightens. Laney hasn’t been easy to live with since we moved from Phoenix last year, and this conversation is going to behard.
She never wanted to leave Phoenix, but mostly, she never wanted to leave Molly behind. We argued about it for weeks before finally making the move. Just when she was starting to accept River Falls as home,Ashlynhappened.
Now, I have to find a way to make her understand.
When I pull into the driveway and see her car parked out front, I take a deep breath before heading inside.
