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No, it wouldn’t, and she wasn’t too far off. The only problem was, I had no idea if Ashlyn would want to pursue anything even if I did return to Ludwig. She had made it pretty clear that she was angry at me, and for some reason, she seemed like the kind of girl who didn’t easily forgive and forget. No matter how she felt about me.
Then call her and find out.
“I’ll think about it,” I said.
“Sure you will,” Alice said. “Just call her tomorrow, okay? You’ve been through enough today, and your mood doesn’t necessarily promise affection.”
“I said, I’ll think about it, that’s all,” I lied, and I could tell she knew. “Let’s just get this Dennis thing out of the way.”
“You’re the boss,” Alice said, placing an encouraging hand on my arm and squeezing gently. “Just don’t screw this up because you’re scared to take a chance, okay? Worst case scenario, a little heartbreak might actually bring out your humane side.” I laughed, and she rubbed my shoulder and turned to leave. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
She was almost out of the office when I remembered something. “By the way, we might need to meet with the lawyers in the morning again.”
“Why?”
“I may have to deal with another lawsuit,” I said. “I kinda went to town on a guy in Ludwig, and he’s probably going to sue.”
“No lack of excitement for you,” Alice said. “What happened?”
“He started it,” I smiled. “I finished it.”
“Chance?”
“Ashlyn’s ex-husband wasn’t too fond of the two of us hanging out together,” I explained. “He tried to show me how displeased he was, and I showed him how much I didn’t care.”
Alice smiled. “And you said you don’t fall for anyone?”
“Good night, Alice,” I said, turning to look back at the skyline. “Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.”
“Good night, Chance. I’m glad you’re home.”
I woke up the next morning to a message from Alice saying that the lawyers thought it would be in my best interest if I did not show up in the office today. Followed by a promise that everything was under control, she ended the message with a little reminder that I had some calls to make and plans to think about in regard to future business expansion in Ludwig, Texas.
I knew what she was talking about, and honestly felt like I could use a day of solitude, but the mere fact that I would be alone with my thoughts for hours until she came back to me with an update worried me. I eyed my bar, contemplated whether or not to make myself a drink, then decided that it was a little too early for that.
I spent most of the day lounging around on the couch. My phone was on silent, the constant notifications bothering me, and I had decided to ignore calls from numbers I didn’t know after the first two proved to be reporters bombarding me with questions. Around midday, Alice sent me a message about preparing a statement for the press, and I gratefully took to the task with vigor.
The truth was, since the moment I had gotten out of bed, I could not stop thinking of Ashlyn.
I finished my press statement a lot faster than I had anticipated and emailed it in, knowing well that Alice would probably hack away at it until it was ‘press appropriate’. With that I made my way into the kitchen, rummaged through the refrigerator and pantry, and began to cook. I had given Pauline the day off, and even though it was nice to not have anyone bothering me, I felt odd having to do things for myself for once. I had always loved to cook, but with how much time the company took from me, that little hobby had died away with most of everything else. I slowly began to get into the rhythm of things, humming as I worked.
I ate my lunch alone, every now and then checking my phone and convincing myself that I just wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything important. The reality, of course, was that a part of me was hoping Ashlyn would contact me, a message, maybe a call, anything to let me know that I wasn’t the only one wondering if there was still a chance to make whatever it was we had work. I brought up her contact two or three times, but never could bring myself to do anything more than stare at her picture before swiping back to the main menu.
You’re going to give yourself a heart attack just by thinking about it.
Which was true. I had never been this flustered in my life, never this unsure as to whether or not I should do something. What was the worst that could happen? That she wouldn’t answer? And what if she did? Wouldn’t that at least give me some closure, one way or the other?
It was driving me crazy.
Fighting the urge to pour myself another drink, I decided I’d take a walk around the block to get my mind off things. Besides, it was a good start to what should have been the beginning of my exercise regimen. I got dressed in running gear I had not used in forever, took the elevator downstairs, and stepped out into the warm breeze of the late afternoon.
The walk proved fruitless, though. No matter how much I tried to busy myself with my surroundings, staring at products I didn’t need in store windows or making small talk with the barista while ordering coffee, I still couldn’t get my mind off Ashlyn. I imagined her in her green house, checking off orders on her pad, driving that truck of hers to the motel and other stops to deliver flowers, arranging lilies in rooms where I no longer stayed in. I pictured her at the diner, eating a burger by herself, maybe having a cup of coffee before making the drive b
ack home and calling it a day.
And I imagined her smile. Her eyes, looking at me from over her shoulder. Her blonde locks framing her face and glowing in the morning sun. I imagined her touch on my arm, the way her head fit perfectly against my shoulder, and her entire body seemed like a puzzle piece that connected seamlessly with mine. I imagined her kissing me, sighing against my lips, melting in my grip. I imagined what it would be like to wake up next to her every day.
My phone ringing brought me back from my reverie, and I balanced my coffee cup on a park fence while I answered.
