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Shaking my head, we stay silent for the rest of the ride. I watch the trees pass by, and before I know it, we’re turning off into a driveway already packed full with cars and trucks.
“Ready for some fun?” Ash asks.
“Yes.” Taking my arm, she walks me through the sea of vehicles and around Dr. and Mrs. Taylor’s beautiful home. The moment we enter the backyard, a smile overtakes my face. It’s just as I remember from a couple years ago.
Their huge backyard stretches out far behind the house and leads right out into the Atlantic Ocean.
The patio section by the back door is where the bar is set up, along with speakers pumping out music. Beer pong tables and corn hole are set up along the left side of the property next to a forest of pine trees, while on the right side, there is a long row of tables set up with trays and trays of food, and a grill at the end. In the middle of all of this, are about ten large round tables with chairs. A few people are already sitting about while children run around with water guns, screaming and laughing.
“See you later, sweetheart.” Ryan kisses Ash on the cheek and walks off towards the grill.
“Want to get a drink first?” she asks me.
“Definitely. Then, I think I’m looking forward to a rematch of beer pong with you, Mel, and Courtney. I seem to remember Ally ditching us for Jake last time, so maybe she can grace us with her presence this time,” I say sarcastically.
“One can dream.” She laughs, and we walk over to the bar.
“Hi, ladies!” Dr. Taylor greets us in his loud, booming voice.
“Hi, Dave,” Ashley replies, and he comes around to hug her.
“Hi, my dear. And hello, Elizabeth. How are you?”
“Hi, Dr. Taylor.” I smile. “I’m good. How are you?”
“Oh, please, it’s Dave,” he says, giving me a hug as well. “And I’m very good. My one son is married to a wonderful woman and my oldest is engaged to another,” he says, smiling at Ashley, and she blushes. Oh my god, I haven’t seen her blush in a very long time. “I just need my other sons to get on board. Chris has awhile still because he’s serving, but Tyler needs to hurry up. All the good women are going to be taken by the time that boy realizes he’s ready for one.”
“I think someone great is about to walk right into his life. Don’t you worry, Dave.” Ashley smiles, and my eyes widen. What the hell is she doing?
“I hope.” He nods, his eyes holding a twinkle like he knows she’s talking about me. “Now, what can I get for you ladies? I’m on bar duty right now.”
“We’ll have vodka lemonades,” Ash tells him. “Thank you.”
“Are you here for just the weekend, Elizabeth?”
“No, I’ll be here a little longer. I don’t know how long, actually.”
“Hopefully forever,” Ash chimes in. “She might partner with Courtney. Ellie is the best baker, aside from Courtney, that I know.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” he says with genuine glee. “How exciting! And high praise considering how much this town loves Courtney’s bakes. Are you single?” he asks, smiling slyly, his blue eyes soft and warm.
“Uh…”
“What she means is yes, she is,” Ash answers for me. “She’s just focusing on her career right now, but hey, you never know.” She shrugs, making me cringe internally.
This is so embarrassing.
I think Dr. Taylor can see how uncomfortable I am, so he just smiles and makes our drinks. “Alright, here you go ladies,” he says, handing them to us. “Enjoy yourselves. I see Ryan is starting the grill up, so the food should be ready within the hour.”
“Thank you.” Ashley and I head off to the beer pong tables where I see Mel, Ally, Courtney, and Dara all standing and laughing, waiting for a table to clear up.
“Hey, guys!” Mel yells.
“Hi! Are we next?”
“Yeah, after those guys there.” She points to a group of guys wearing Pine Cove Fire Dept. t-shirts, and I quickly look away, not sure if Tyler is there or not.
Loud cheering and the sound of hands slapping backs has me looking back over, and I see him, looking fine as hell. His t-shirt is tight, showing off a pair of beautifully sculpted arms that should be in a museum, and a broad chest that I want to get my hands on.
