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14
Ally
Destiny, Ashlyn, and I are in the kitchen making breakfast for everyone. Andrew and Jase should be here shortly. They leave tomorrow to go back home. I'm going to miss them like crazy when they leave, but I know they’re anxious to get back. Especially Andrew. He hates being anywhere that isn't Jaded Hollow.
They wanted to stay longer, but Jaxon still hasn't found a replacement bartender. I have a sneaking suspicion he's not looking very hard. Until a few years ago, Andrew worked at Jaxon's Pub full time and Jaxon still has problems finding someone he trusts as much as he did Andrew. Jaxon's tried talking Andrew into coming back; he refuses, claiming he enjoys being off his feet too much. I secretly think he just likes not being tied down so he can be accessible to Jase. After years of being together, the man is still obsessed with his lover. Luckily for Jaxon, Andrew will fill in at the bar when he’s needed.
Mia still works there, but she moved to part-time years ago because she wanted to spend more time with her and Mac’s kids.
“So,” Ashlyn props a hip on the island, keeping an eye on Destiny at the table as she mixes the pancake batter, “you mentioned last night you and Trent were going to take a trip back home. Do you know when you’re wanting to go?”
Grabbing the cutting board and knife, I pick up an apple from a bowl of fruit and begin slicing it.
“We were thinking next weekend.” I dig out the seeds from the apple. “I’m sure you and Dillon will be glad to have the house to yourself for a couple of days.”
“Nuh-uh,” Ashlyn says, snatching an apple slice. Before she bites a chunk out of it, she points it at me. “Don’t do that. You know we don’t mind having you here.”
I grab a banana. “Yeah, and I really appreciate it. But you didn’t bank on having two people staying with you.”
“So? I like Trent. Dillon likes Trent. I actually prefer that he’s here. I hated that you were keeping your illness from him. You need him here with you. And besides, Dillon and I both knew he would show up eventually.”
“You’re right.” I lift my eyes to Ashlyn. “I hated it too.” I set the knife down and wipe my hands on a towel. “I just didn’t want him to suffer through it again.”
“Sorry, babe, that comes with the territory with family. When you married him, it was through sickness and in health. He’s here for you now, just as you are when he’s sick.”
I almost let out a bitter laugh. I wish my illness was as minor as the random colds and headaches Trent gets. He has to deal with a lot more than that for me.
“Yeah,” I say quietly.
Finished cutting the fruit, I get up from the stool and take the knife and cutting board to the sink, rinse them, then put them in the dishwasher. I turn and lean back against the counter.
“I know I’ve already said it, but I want you to know how grateful I am that you’re letting us stay here. You’ve been a really good friend to me, Ashlyn.”
Taking the few steps that separate us, Ashlyn hugs me. She pulls back, but grabs my arms. “Stop thanking me. I’m glad I can do this. And I know you would do the same for me.”
I nod. “I would.”
Destiny gets up from the table, the big bowl of batter nearly toppling from her hands. Ashlyn grabs it before it can fall and carries it over to the stove where the skillet is already warming. I take the bowl of fruit to the table.
I’m turning to go make toast when something catches my attention out the corner of my eye. My lips part, and something warm fills my stomach at the same time my heart does a double beat. I grip the back of the chair to steady myself when my legs feel wobbly.
Trent stands just inside the kitchen doorway, his eyes watching me curiously.
“Trent, I—” I swallow thickly, unable to form words.
He swiftly walks over to me. I tip my head back once he’s in front of me, my eyes sliding over his shorn hair. I’m not sure what I want to cry more about. The loss of his hair or the incredibly sweet gesture.
Lifting my hand, I run it over his prickly head. “I can’t believe you did this. I thought I told you the last time that if my leukemia came back, I didn’t want you to cut your hair again.”
“Yeah, but I never agreed to it.” He leans down for a kiss. “We’re in this together, Ally. Every step of the way. I’m not able to do much, but this I can do. I would have done it before now, but Jase informed me he was when I spoke to him last week, and I didn’t want to take his thunder. I assume Andrew threatened him with bodily harm since he didn’t.”
“Something of the sort,” I say with laughter. I stare up at the most wonderful man I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. “I owe Mac and Mia an expensive bottle of wine.”
His expression turns confused. “Why?”
“Because they raised an extraordinary man.”
He smiles gently down at me. “They may not agree with you.”
