“I’m not doing this again. I get that it’s hard for you, but you’re not a kid anymore. Ash makes me happy.”
“Mom used to make you happy,” she whispers.
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I sit next to her on the sofa, my stomach in knots. “She did, sweetheart, but things changed. We grew apart long before the accident. You were just too young to see it.”
She shakes her head and turns away. “You should go. You’re going to be late,” she mutters, focusing back on the TV.
“Will you be okay?”
She shrugs without looking at me. “If I said no, would you stay?”
I drop my head, sighing. “Laney–”
“I’m fine, Dad. I’m meeting Chelsea later anyway.”
I search her face for any sign of hesitation. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Go.”
I stand and press a kiss to her head. “I’ll see you later. Have fun with Chelsea.”
Guilt presses down on me as I pull out of the driveway and head toward Ash’s place. Maybe I should have waited until she left for college before starting anything with Ash. But selfishly, I couldn’t stay away. I’ve done my best to be there for Laney since Molly’s accident, and it feels wrong to walk away when I know she’s upset. Maybe I’m not the great dad I think I am.
When I get to Hope Creek, I park outside Ash’s apartment building and turn off the engine. I pull out my phone, half expecting a message from Laney, but there’s nothing.
With a quiet sigh, I step out of the car, grab the bouquet I picked up on my way home from work, and head for the entrance. I press the buzzer for Ash’s apartment and wait.
“Hello?” Ash answers, sounding a little out of breath.
“Hey, it’s me, Ben.”
“Hey. Come on up. I’m not quite ready yet. I’ll leave the door on the latch. Make yourself comfortable.”
Her words tumble out, and I can’t help but laugh as the door buzzes and unlocks. I walk in and head straight for the elevator. I ride it up to the third floor, and when I reach her apartment, the door is slightly ajar.
“Ashlyn?” I call as I step inside, closing the door behind me.
“I’ll be right out,” she shouts from somewhere in the apartment. “There are beers in the fridge if you want one.”
I’m hoping we won’t be here long enough for me to need a beer. We have a table reservation in fifteen minutes. I walk through the entryway, placing the flowers on the breakfast bar before heading into the living room. The TV’s on, but the sound is muted. I groan when I see it’s the same awful reality show Laney was watching earlier. As much as Laney’s not interested in getting to know Ash, I think they’d get along just fine.
My attention drifts to a small console table in the corner of the room, covered with framed photos. I walk over and pick up one of Ash and her brothers. It looks recent; everyone’s grinning at the camera with Ash in the center. She looks stunning. I glance at the rest of the pictures. They’re mainly family shots with a couple of her and Ivy. It’s clear how much her friends and family mean to her, and I love that about her.
“Hey. Sorry I wasn’t ready,” Ash says from behind me, and I turn around, my breath catching in my throat when I see her.
She’s wearing a black dress that fits her body perfectly, the material ending just past her knees. Her long blonde hair is curled over her shoulders, and the makeup around her eyesmakes her striking blue eyes pop. My gaze drifts down to her heels, making her legs seem to stretch on forever. Suddenly, I need to pull her into my arms. I cross the room quickly, cupping her face with my hands.
“You look so beautiful, Ashlyn. Definitely worth the wait.”
Her cheeks flush pink, and I smile as she drops her gaze from mine.
“You look good too, Ben,” she whispers, her hands resting gently on my chest.
She looks up at me, and I lower my head, brushing my lips against hers. Her hands slide up my chest, over my shoulders, and link behind my neck. The kiss deepens, and when I run my tongue along her bottom lip, she opens up to me with a soft moan. The kiss becomes more urgent, as though it’s been days since I last kissed her, not just hours. It’s electric between us, and I can’t get enough of her.
After a moment, I break the kiss and rest my forehead against hers. We're both breathless, and it takes a minute for our breathing to calm down.
“We should head out,” I murmur, pressing another kiss to her lips. “We're going to miss our dinner reservation.”
