Page 50 of Home Is Where You Are

“Not here, Gentry. They’ll get the wrong idea and assume things they shouldn’t,” she whispered in return.

“Let them. It won’t be an assumption much longer,” I replied, meaning every word.

A phone ringing broke my train of thought as I looked around to see whose phone it was. Lillian had a strong rule against any type of technology at the table. My gaze stopped on Dylan, who reached into his pocket and pulled out the device.

“I’m sorry for the interruption. I need to take this,” he said as he stood and walked in the direction of the front of the house.

“You want to go upstairs with me and get on our swimsuits?” Ainsleigh asked Aspen as she stood, causing my hand to fall from where it rested.

I was ready to see her in a bathing suit.

“Thank you for the pancakes, Mrs. Courtright. They were delicious,” Aspen said as she stood.

Brooks, Leo, and Holden got up from the table and took their plates to the sink. Each of them stopped to give Lillian a hug and thank her for breakfast, before they took off toward the back of the house.

I heard Leo comment how he couldn’t wait to toss Ainsleigh into the pool and knew this day was about to get even more interesting.

I remained seated and waited for everyone to leave. I would offer to help Lillian clean the kitchen even though she’d refuse my help. I just had to make sure she knew I didn’t take her or Sawyer for granted. Their hospitality had known no bounds since they’d taken me in.

“Don’t even try it, Gentry. Go have fun with everyone. I’ll clean up this mess in no time. I know that’s why you’re sitting there,” she said as she collected the dishes from the now empty table.

“You know me too well, Lillian. But I couldn’t not try to help. It’s in my nature.”

“I know it is. Which is why I let you try each and every time. Now shoo,” she replied as she tried to swat me with the dish towel when she walked over to the table.

I set off to the barn and changed into my suit. Let the fun begin.

eighteen

AINSLEIGH

“You okay?” Aspen asked as she shut the door and sat on my bed, and allowed me to pace my bedroom.

“I’m worried that my parents are going to read too much into me in his clothes.”

“I get what you’re saying, but your family just wants you to be happy.”

“I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“What do you mean?”

“What’s wrong with me? I know we can’t be together, but I see him and every part of me falls back into how we were.” I flopped back onto the bed and let out a groan.

“He’s a man in love with you,” Aspen stated as her cheeks turned a bright shade of red.

“Yeah, yeah. I don’t think so. He should hate me. Not love me.”

I turned my head and stared at her, waiting for her rebuttal.

“I know. I just don’t think we are each other’s happy ever after anymore.”

“What makes you think that?”

“I broke his heart. I don’t deserve for him to love me again,” I confessed as I blinked back tears.

“You deserve all the happiness in the world, my dear friend.” I loved her optimism, but I didn’t believe her.

“I kissed him last night,” I confessed, needing to tell someone, and I knew she’d help me figure out what to do next.