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Mac looked directly at him. “That sounds like an excuse. You’ll never know if you never try.”
“I have to be ready to get chewed up,” Ashton defended himself. “I might lose an eye or a limb. The stakes are high.”
Mac pinned him with a stare. “You’re a big boy. I’m sure you’re capable of handling a dainty little lady such as Lily.”
“Hey, what is this?” he protested good-naturedly. “An assault on my right to hold a grudge?”
Mac laughed. “Hardly. I just know you’ll be more at peace with yourself and the world if you make it right. I speak from experience.”
“You’re probably right. I’ll give it some thought. But I’m unlikely to see Lily again anytime soon.”
“You never know,” Mac said. “Anyway, you’re a person of faith, aren’t you? Isn’t forgiveness something you believe in?”
Ashton felt his face going red. “Er … I guess so,” he muttered.
“Well …” Mac let the thought hang.
“You know how to drive the dagger in,” Ashton said. “I’ll think about it. That’s all.”
“All right. I’ll let it go. I just don’t want to see you making a mistake that you’ll regret later in life.” She smiled at him. “If you had a sister, she’d be like me.”
“Telling it as it is,” Ashton replied.
“Someone has to tell you the truth. True friends don’t let you do something stupid without saying something.”
He groaned. “All right. You’ve made your point. Now, may I do the thing I came here for? Or must I submit to more lectures?”
Mac laughed. “Sure. I never say no to someone who wants to spend money. Let’s get you that part.”
Half an hour later, Ashton decided to go to the bakery for a coffee and a pastry. It had been a busy morning and he was hungry.
“Hey, Ashton,” Leila greeted. “Here for your usual order?”
“You know me too well,” Ashton returned, grinning at the middle-aged, blonde woman. “Yes, please.”
Soon Leila handed him a coffee and two apple strudel pastries in a brown paper bag.
“Thank you,” he said, handing her some cash.
“Anything for you, Ashton,” she simpered and fluttered her eyelashes at him.
He laughed; it was a game they played every week. “I wouldn’t dream of buying my apple strudels and coffee anywhere else,” he said.
“Where else would you get such good service?” she grinned.
“Nowhere. But now I’m leaving before you tell me I’m handsome or something.”
She burst out laughing and he turned to leave, glancing down at the strudels nestled in their papery bed to ensure that they weren’t about to come to harm.
THUD!
“Ouch!” cried a familiar voice. “My foot!”
Ashton looked up in horror at the person he’d just walked into. Lily stood staring at him, outrage and dismay all over her face. He gaped at her, unable to say a word for a moment.
“Watch where you’re going!” she added indignantly.
“Lily.” Her name came out as a croak. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.”
