Chapter 31
Thirty-One
Nova
Glancing up from my phone, Harper and Zeke have been taking a while in the candy store. I was tempted to go inside, but I also knew that if I did, there was zero chance I’d be leaving without spending far too much money, and my budget this month is already blown.
Besides, there’s enough junk food in the house, not including the goodies stashed away in the pantry for Zeke. Occasionally, I steal a few sour candies when I’m craving something sweet.
Just last week, Ashton bought a bag of candy for Halloween to hand out to the trick-or-treaters, but I noticed it was already open. He’s not usually the sour candy kind of guy. I’ve always caught him munching on chocolate, so I doubt he was the one who opened the bag.
I swear my mind is playing tricks on me, because I see Ashton walk out of the candy store and meet my gaze.
It’s definitely Ashton.
He strides right up to me and smiles that boyish grin that makes my heart flutter. His dimples are positively adorable, and I swear he never smiles enough.
“What are you doing here? Stalking us?” I joke, glancing up at him.
He grabs the seat next to me on the bench. He’s carrying a shopping bag from the candy store and hands me a bag of sour jellies, in all my favorite flavors. “For you.”
My eyes light up and I take the clear bag filled with candies from him. “Thank you.”
Ashton shrugs. “It was nothing. Harper mentioned you were waiting outside the candy shop.” There’s a sly smile on his face, like he’s trying to hide something devilish.
“What?” I ask, the grin growing on my face. The longer he stares at me, the more my body tingles, betraying me. His stare heats my cheeks and warms my insides.
I want to lean in and kiss him, but I don’t.
He’s not my boyfriend.
“I told Harper to bring you to the Arboretum for lunch. It’s a little chilly for a picnic, but I thought we could stroll through the gardens together after lunch.”
“You hate the Arboretum,” I say, my gaze narrowing. I don’t remind him that it’s October and my favorite blossoms aren’t going to be there off season, but it’ll still be a nice stroll with the leaves changing color. What is he up to?
He shifts on the bench, his body turned facing me. “Hate is a strong word.”
There’s a double meaning in his words, especially the way he says hate, but I let it go. I don’t want to fight with him. At least we’re still friends after the breakup.
“Strongly dislike?” I suggest, smirking at him.
“You know, Nova, I’d go anywhere for you. Do anything…”
The way he stares into my gaze, it’s like his soul is looking right at me.
Wordlessly, I nod.
His hand reaches up to my cheek, his touch warm and inviting, and I lean into his palm. “I’d even give it all up. Not work for my father…”
I kiss his palm and pull back, staring up at him. “I wouldn’t ask you to do that, Ashton.”
“I’m offering.”
And he’d hate me if I let him go through with it. Maybe not now, but eventually, he’d despise that I came between him and his family. “No.”
“No?” he asks, his brow pinching. “Do you prefer me to work for Dante?”
“I’m not going to be the reason your life is turned upside down,” I say. “Your father isn’t going to be thrilled, nor will Dante if you up and quit. Besides, you helped find Harper. I’m grateful for what you did to rescue her.”
I take his hand in mine, placing it in my lap.
“But?” he asks, waiting for me to elaborate. When I don’t respond quickly enough, he brings my palm to his lips, kissing my skin.
“No, but…” Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose before glancing at him. “I refuse to be part of the decision on your future. What you want to do has to be up to you. It can’t be because it isn’t what I want.”
“It is up to me, Nova, and my future will include you if you’ll have me back. But first—whether you take me back or not, I have something for you.”
“Besides the candy?” I say, showing him the bag and snagging another sour treat and popping it into my mouth.
“Yes, besides the candy,” he says and shows me one of the bags he’s holding. He retrieves a flat box and hands it to me.
Slowly, I lift the lid, revealing two concert tickets for my favorite artist. “How did you get these?” I ask, my jaw dropping. “The concert’s been sold out for weeks.”
“I know a guy.” Ashton winks at me and taps the tickets. “Did you see where they are?”
I glance at the location of the arena and my jaw drops again, along with the box. My hands tremble with excitement. “Barcelona?” I laugh. He’s absolutely mad. “Is this a joke?”
If I take the tickets, I’ll need to get a job to save up for the flight, the hotel, all of it, before going. At least I have a passport, that’s one criteria I’ve met. It’s a lot to figure out, but just finding a pair of tickets had to be near impossible.
“Well, I’m hoping you’ll take me, and we can go on a trip to Spain together.” He shows me two airline tickets and a brochure he’s printed for the hotel. “We can go as friends, but I was kind of hoping—”
My fingers bunch at his shirt, yanking him toward me as I capture his lips against mine. He tastes like chocolate and raspberries as I drink him in.
It’s been too long since we last kissed.
His lips feel like home.
My body craves his touch, his warmth, his skin on mine.
I’ve missed him. Missed this.
Ashton pulls back, staring at my lips, before leaning in and stealing another kiss. “We still have our date at the Arboretum,” he whispers, slowly pulling back, his mouth against my cheek and then my ear. “Unless you want to skip it?”
“An afternoon with you at the Arboretum? We are not missing it. The leaves are going to be gorgeous this time of year.” I stand and grab his hand, pulling him up with me. “Come on, boyfriend.”
“Gosh, I’ve missed you.” Ashton grins and kisses me again, my world spinning wildly, happily, as I melt into him.
“I’ve missed you too,” I whisper, leaning my forehead against his. “The concert tickets, the trip to Spain, it’s all too much.”
I’ll have to pay him back, at least my portion of the expenses.
“Consider it an early Christmas present.”
“Ashton.” I glare at him playfully.
“Trust me, the concert tickets and the trip to Barcelona are cheaper than the second-hand market.”
I grumble under my breath, knowing that it still cost him a fortune. “I’m not letting you get away with paying for all of it. I will pay you back.”
Ashton steals another kiss, the corners of his lips quirking upward. “I can think of a few fun ways.”
I smack his arm for even suggesting such a thing. “Jerk!”
He chuckles and wraps an arm around my waist, “I know, but you still love me.”