“You do know I’m standing right here?” Laney says from beside me.
I side-eye her. “I’m aware.”
“You should go. I’ll make my own way home,” Ash says.
“No. I’m not leaving you here. I’ll drive you home.”
“Okay.”
“Maybe we should stay for that drink,” Laney says. “I could get to know Ashlyn better.” She slips her hand in mine and slides into the booth, pulling me to sit next to her. “Just one drink?”
I look from her to Ash, who smiles and nods. I sigh. Laney’s clearly up to something. She didn’t want anything to do with Ash earlier. Why the sudden one-eighty?
“Fine. One drink.” I point at Laney. “One non-alcoholic drink.”
She rolls her eyes dramatically. “Okay, Dad.”
“I’ll get the drinks,” Ash says. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll help.” I turn to Laney. “Don’t move.”
I don’t wait for her to answer before I jump up and follow Ashlyn toward the bar. Catching up with her, I grab her hand. “Wait up.” She stops and turns around. “Is everything okay?”
She nods and bites down on her lip. “Just nervous. I want her to like me.”
I cup her face with my hand, my thumb stroking her cheek. “I want that too, baby, and she will. I’m sure of it.”
“I hope so,” she whispers, leaning into my touch.
I lead Ash to the bar, her hand nestled in mine. I want her and Laney to get along more than anything, but I can’t help feeling apprehensive. I’m pretty sure Laney’s a little drunk. I hope she’s going to play nice.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Ashlyn
Nerves twist in my stomach as I follow Ben back to Laney. I’ve never been this anxious about meeting someone before, but I know how important it is for her to accept me if Ben and I are going to make this work. The more time I spend with him, the more I realize just how badly I want that acceptance.
When we get back to the booth, Laney’s head is down, and she’s engrossed in her phone. I glance at Ben, who smiles reassuringly.
“I got you a Coke,” I say as I slide into the booth and pass over her drink.
“Thanks,” she says, placing her phone face down on the table and reaching for the glass. She takes a mouthful before putting the glass down. “I was hoping you’d have slipped me a double vodka in there, Ashlyn. Especially as you’re trying to win me over.”
There’s humor in her voice, but her stare tells me she’s not joking.
“Laney,” Ben warns.
She holds her hands up. “What? I can’t make a joke?”
“So, I hear you’re off to college in the fall. Have you decided where you’re going?” I ask, trying to move the conversation along.
She picks up her glass and takes another mouthful of soda before her eyes meet mine. “Arizona State. It’s where my mom went, and going there means I’m close enough to her care facility to see her whenever I want.”
“You must miss her,” I say quietly.
“I miss her every day, and even more since Dad made us move to the back end of nowhere.”
I look at Ben, who blows out a breath.
