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The wind suddenly flew by, chilling the air as the water sloshed against the rocky cove on the right. Asher got up and grabbed a blanket from the pile next to Rhett, then draped it over Remy’s shoulders. Her heart skipped a little at that. Such a small gesture, but one he’d done so many times before now. He’d always been the guy who seemed observant of what she needed or didn’t. Those were the little reasons she fell in love with him. “Thanks.” She smiled.
He nodded, then returned to his spot next to Rhett.
She wrapped the blanket around her tight, the crackling fire sending embers high into the sky. Across from her, Asher watched the fire, the golden hue flickering on his face. How different he looked now from the boy who left her. So grown up. So strong. Her heart swelled at all the good memories they had at Rhett’s beach parties throughout the years. Her whole teenage years had him in them. For a really long time, she forgot those. It felt good to remember them again.
“I will never forget the last party you had when we were kids,” Kinsley said to Rhett, breaking into Remy’s thoughts. Kinsley set her gaze on Remy, her smile beaming. “Remember when you kneed Gavin Hoist in the nuts, then attacked him like a rabid kitten?”
“I remember,” Asher said with a laugh. “I’m the one that had to peel her off him.”
“Gavin deserved his nuts pulverized,” Remy announced proudly. “He’d grabbed my boob. He’s lucky he didn’t get worse.”
“You seriously did that?” Peyton asked with absolute shock in her wide eyes. “I never would have thought you were capable. You’re just so bubbly and bright.”
“Until someone does something they shouldn’t,” Asher said with a smile. “Then the claws come out.”
“Hey, first of all, he’s lucky I didn’t create a voodoo doll to teach him a lesson.” Laughter filled the space around her. To Asher, she said, “And I also remember you knocking out Jake Wilson.”
“That’s different,” Asher grumbled.
“Do explain why that’s different?” Kinsley asked.
“He was actually a threat,” Asher said firmly.
Rhett nodded, then gestured at Remy. “No shit. We all saw how you looked at him.”
“Okay, yes, he was gorgeous,” said Remy with a roll of her eyes. “But you’re all stupid. Back then, I only saw Asher.”
Silence hit the group so hard that every single second that passed felt more awkward than the last. But soon Remy caught Asher’s gaze on her. His face was an unreadable mask. She quickly looked into the fire, watching the vibrant colors and losing herself in the crackling heat.
Blessedly, and like she always did, Kinsley jumped to her feet to come to Remy’s rescue. “I’m skinny-dipping, who’s coming with?”
“The water is freezing,” Boone pointed out.
“So what, live a little, would you?” she countered, and then kicked off her shoes. “Rhett’s got towels. We’ll go inside if we need to warm up. Who’s coming?”
“Yeah, I’m in.” Rhett began to rise. Boone glared. He slowly sat down. “Actually, on second thought, I enjoy my life too much.”
Peyton slapped Boone’s arm. “Stop scowling. It’ll be fun.” She rose. “I’ll join you.”
“And no one else,” Boone said, giving Rhett another firm look.
Rhett chuckled and then chugged back his beer as the girls took off running toward the water.
Remy rose too, but not for the same reasons. “I’ll be back in a few,” she said to the guys.
Asher’s brows drew together. “All right?”
“Yup, all good.” She smiled, though even she knew it probably looked a little tight. It occurred to her then that there wasn’t just one reason she was feeling emotional. Maybe it was everything. From Damon, to her shop, to Asher…it was all just so much. She left the others behind at the campfire, hearing Kinsley and Peyton scream as they ran into the water, and she purposely didn’t look Asher’s way. She couldn’t quite take any more of those raw eyes of his matched with all the fond memories they had shared in this spot. Away from the campfire, the stars were even brighter, the moonlight shining against the calm, dark water. She exhaled deeply, letting go of all the weight she’d been holding lately. A big boulder to her right where she’d sit and read sometimes when Asher threw a football with Rhett back in the day caught her eye. She climbed up on top like she had so many times, only this time she felt so different. She was different.
“You always did love this spot.”
Remy exhaled again before turning her head, finding Asher standing a foot away with his hands stuffed into his pockets. “It’s a good spot.”
“Mind if I join you?”
She shook her head, not sure what she wanted.
He climbed up and sat down next to her. Silence filled the space between them for so long she thought he didn’t plan on saying anything, but then he surprised her. “Do you ever wonder what would have happened if my mom hadn’t died?”
