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“I can’t wait to finally meet her. It’s crazy to think she’s already seven. I feel terrible for not coming before now.”
“Don’t be. It’s understandable. Life has a way of going by way too fast.” She leans forward and wraps me in her arms for another hug. “I’m just glad you’re here now, although I wish it was under different circumstances. And I wish Trent could be with you.”
“Once this is over, we’ll come for a more enjoyable visit.”
Ashlyn stands, giving me a mock glare. “You better.” Grabbing her phone, she gestures with her hand. “Come on. I’ll show you to the room you’ll be staying in. You have to be tired from driving.”
As if her words are a trigger, the weight of the last several days has my body dragging. I follow Ashlyn down a hallway past several doors, in which she points out her and Dillon’s room, Destiny’s room, linen closet, spare bath, and finally the spare room. After opening the door, I walk inside. There’s a double bed against one wall, a dresser opposite it, a chair in one corner, and a couple of landscape pictures hanging from the wall. Walking forward, I drop my purse and bag on the bed.
“I hope this is okay?” She gestures to one of the closed doors in the room. “You have your own bathroom.”
I spin to face Ashlyn. “It’s more than okay.” I walk over and give her a hug, squeezing her extra tight. “Thank you for doing this. I know you don’t agree with my methods, but I want you to know I’m very grateful. You’ve been a wonderful friend to me, Ash.”
Tears glisten in her eyes. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m always here when you need me. Just do your best to beat this beast.”
My laugh is strangled. “I plan on it.”
“Why don’t you rest for a while, then come out and meet Destiny and Dillon later?”
My eyes are getting heavier by the minute, so I nod.
With a soft smile aimed at me, she closes the door, leaving me alone. I look down at the bed covered with a light purple comforter. It’s been years since I’ve slept without Trent by my side, and I’m not looking forward to doing so now.
With no other choice, I slip off my shoes and lie down. I pull my purse toward me and dig around for my phone. Tapping the screen, I look at the picture I have set as my home screen. It’s a close-up of Trent and me. He’s behind me with his arms wrapped around my waist. His chin is resting on my shoulder, and we’re both smiling at the camera. My lips tip up into a smile. That was the day he asked me to marry him.
Swiping my finger to the left, I pull up my messages and press Trent’s name.
Me: I miss you.
His reply comes a minute later.
Trent: I miss you more.
Smiling to myself, I press the home screen and put my phone down. As my eyes get too heavy to stay open, the last thing I see before I drift off to sleep is Trent’s smiling face looking back at me.
* * *
Sensing eyes on me,I crack mine open and jerk back when I find someone only inches from my face. It takes me a moment to realize who it is. Even though I’ve never met her in person, I’ve seen plenty of photos of the little girl.
“Who are you?” the beautiful little girl asks. She sits back on her heels and tilts her head to the side, assessing me with curious eyes.
“I’m Ally.” Her eyes go wide in familiarity. “And you must be Destiny.”
Her head bobs up and down and a big smile stretches across her face.
“My mama talks about you.”
I smile at her and brush back the hair from my face before sitting up in bed. “She talks about you too.”
This makes her giggle.
I pat the bed and she crawls up to sit on the end, crossing her legs and facing me.
“You sure are pretty,” she compliments.
“That’s very nice of you to say. Thank you. You’re very pretty yourself.”
“Not as pretty as my mama.”
