Page 95 of Striking Range

I smile, my affection for her only growing. As a friend, of course. But she genuinely is an amazing person.

“Let’s eat,” I tell her, her hand slipping away as I exit the car.

Ash and Felicita are already waiting by the front door, smiling fondly at us as we approach. I will never tire of seeing that expression on their faces.

“You two ready for some good lunch?” Ash asks, opening the large mahogany doors.

“Yes, please!” Ashley beams.

We’re seated at a four-person table with plush chairs and lit candles. This is probably the nicest lunch they’ve ever taken me to, and I intend to indulge.

“So, Ashley,” Felicita starts, “what are you planning to do once you graduate?”

“I want to open my own bookstore! I was thinking I would move to Miami,” she explains.

“Miami, eh?” Ash interjects. “That’s not too far from here. I think Mr. Jones, one of our clients at the firm, owns a chain of hotels out there. Maybe Everett could start out working for him!”

“Sorry, what?” I ask, my eyes sliding from the menu to stare at him.

He gives me a confused frown. “Are you not intending to move with Ashley? You too are serious, are you not?”

I freeze. Of all the times I’ve brought Ashley home, we haven’t truly talked about the future. I think my adoptive parents were just happy that I’m following their rules, but now they’re thinking ahead. Scheming.

Ashley clasps my hand over the table. “Oh, yes. Absolutely. We were actually thinking about getting a house out there, if money allows.”

Internally, I sigh. I hadn’t conjured future lies—only present ones. But it appears that Ashley came prepared, always ready to step in and cover my deception with pretty promises.

Actually… she is kind of conniving, isn’t she?

“Wonderful!” Ash proclaims. “I think we have decent savings; maybe we can pitch in a bit.”

“Wow, that… Are you sure, Dad?” I fumble, unsure of what to say.

He has never offered something this grand, other than buying me my first car. He’s all about being self-made and achieving my own goals.

A severe joy overcomes me, and it is only stifled by the realization that if it were Skylar next to me, this entire encounter would be drastically different.

And the truth is, I don’t need him to pitch in. Ever since I started shaping my grand plan, I started putting back any spare money I have—funds to help Skylar and I leave this town as soon as possible after graduation.

I mean, I haven’t asked him to run with me yet, but he did say he’d consider moving.

“I’m sure, son,” Ash replies, grinning in that self-boasting way he does. “Anything to help you achieve your dreams.”

My dreams… Right.

“And once you’re married, I want a hand in naming the baby!” Felicita adds excitedly. “It’ll be my little grandbaby, after all.”

Baby?! Holy shit. I’ve really sold this thing! They think I’m going to knock up Ashley?

Ash laughs. “Of course you will, sweetheart. Ashley will need all the help she can get!”

Ashley smiles politely, nodding.

I bet she’s thanking her lucky stars that our relationship is a farce.

“Well, enough talk about the future. Let’s order, shall we?” I offer, and with a series of nods and hums, we all return to our menus.

And I know—I know that one day soon Ash will scream in my face once again, and Felicita will stare at me in disgust. It is inevitable.