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"See you at the finish line," Asher says.
Sloane and Sam stare at Asher as he trots to the starting line. "That's the guy we need to beat?" Sloane asks.
I'm still speechless.
"That's him," Daisy says. "And you're already losing."
"The enemy is a certified hottie," Aunt Annette says and whistles low. "If I was ten years younger…"
My sad mood can't repress my laugh. Annette is seventy if she's a day.
"Asher says you tried to gift him the gym."
I turn to see Mr. Winfield with a woman who has Asher's eyes. "Tried?"
The woman swats her husband. "Ash said not to say anything, big mouth." She holds out a hand to me. "It's lovely tosee you again, Clover. I'm Doris Winfield. My son seems to think quite a lot of you."
I stare at her. "He knows what my dad did, right?"
Doris leans in close. "We all know what your dad did, sweetheart, but what you did matters more. Bruce told me you tried to give him money."
"I wish he'd take it," I say, my throat tight. "I know I can never make up for what we took from you—"
She pats my shoulder. "Youdidn't take anything from us. And what we lost isn't anywhere near as important as family and love." She leans in suddenly and wraps her arms around me. The tears I've been holding back spill down my cheeks. She steps away. "You have nothing to feel guilty about, Clover. I'm just so glad—"
"Nope," Mr. Winfield says. "We aren't supposed to talk about any of that. How's that knee of yours?"
"It's doing better," I say, wiping away tears. "Just not up to a three-hour trail run yet."
I introduce Asher's parents all around and they fit right in. Conversation pauses just long enough for us to watch the runners start up the trail, then continues as everyone makes plans for what to do until we all meet back up at the finish line in a few hours. No one expects any of our crew to finish faster than that.
"You coming to the diner?" Honey asks. "There's supposed to be some trail watchers radioing back there with updates."
There are folks who've camped out all along the trail just to see the runners pass. If my knee was better I might have headed up there with my cousins Cash and Ryland. "I think I'm going to head over to the finish line. I want to take some pictures."
Honey accepts my answer without argument and I wave to everyone as they pile into vehicles and head off.
"He doesn't blame you," Mr. Winfield says as he passes.
"We hope you'll be open to what he's got to say," Mrs. Winfield says, patting my back.
It's really too bad Asher and I will never be a couple, because it's rare to find such kind, accepting parents. "I'll see you back at the finish line?"
"Bruce will be here," Mrs. Winfield says. "I have to work this afternoon."
I wave them off, then take a few moments to enjoy the quiet in the wake of all the commotion. It's true I need to take more pictures. I've got more than a few fans dying to know the outcome of this race and it'll be good for my numbers that Asher's racing after all.
More than that, though, I just need some time to absorb everything that's happened. I expected Asher to hate me and want nothing to do with me and it's somehow more painful that he seemed so happy to see me, that he was so kind.
Because I can't afford to stay in Catalpa Creek after my year is up. I need to go where the work is. I figured it would be too painful to work for Asher at his gym, but maybe…
I shake my head at the idea. I'm sure he doesn't want me working in his gym.
After taking about fifty more pictures, I get in my car and head to the finish line.
My phone rings as I park in the smaller lot where the race will end. Ava's name flashes on the screen and weariness washes over me.
"Clover," she shouts so cheerfully I have to hold the phone away from my ear. "I'm so glad you've decided to get on board. I was thinking we could meet up somewhere gorg like Aruba and put together some videos of us working out on the beach. Can you bring that sexy man candy of yours?"
