Chapter Eighteen #3
“Sounds like heaven.” Razor leaned her head on her hand and looked enraptured. The look was so endearing and full of awe that Ashton felt compelled to confess something bold.
“When I was there, I honestly thought it’d be a place you’d do well.”
Razor sat up straight and furrowed her brow. “Me?”
She nodded. “It’s one of the reasons I kept track of you after I left.
” Embarrassed by the admission, Ashton studied her surroundings to avoid Razor’s gaze.
The evening was slightly warm, and they’d settled on the outdoor patio.
The industrial-style light strands gave a soft intimate feel, and Ashton hoped they hid the blush she could feel.
Once she started checking out the space heaters—good, durable industrial models—she felt ridiculous and turned back to Razor and her questioning eyes.
“What?”
“I’m just wondering why you’d keep track of me,” Razor said. “I humiliated myself in our first meeting, then nearly took your head off. Literally. I thought you didn’t want to have anything to do with me.”
“Granted, our meet-cute was lacking.” She smiled to soften the blow.
“But we were on the same team for a year. And while we were never on the field together, I had eyes. You worked your ass off. If you messed up, you corrected it. Honestly, you made a very big impression on me. So when I left, I kept up on SDS, but mostly I kept up with you. I watched your star rise until…”
“Until I left,” Razor said sadly.
Ashton reached across the table and clasped her hand. “I think you were brave for trying to help your friend.”
Ashton knew she was taking a big risk, holding hands with Razor in public where anyone they knew could come by and jump to conclusions.
She saw the same concern in Razor’s eyes and felt her start to pull her hand away.
The thought of losing contact was too much for Ashton to bear, and she laced their fingers together.
If she was bold, she hoped Razor would be bold, too.
“You know, I’ve realized you’re a very touchy-feely person, at least with me.” Razor’s eyes traveled from their joined hands and gazed intently at her. “Are you sure you only followed my career? Or was there more?”
Ashton opened her mouth, but two familiar figures entered the patio and killed any response. She quickly pulled her hand away—so much for boldness—and addressed Summer and Harper as they walked into the light.
“Hey, what are you two up to?”
“Um…we were studying for a big exam and wanted to take a break,” Summer stuttered.
“Well, this is a good place for it,” Razor said. “I highly recommend the brussels sprout and mozzarella pizza.”
Harper stuck out her tongue. “That sounds disgusting. I think we’ll stick with the meat lover’s.”
“I totally understand. Some things just don’t belong on a pizza.” She winked at Ashton.
“Would you two like to join us?” Ashton asked.
“That would be great—” Harper started.
Summer cut in. “Actually, we’re going to grab something to go and get back to studying.” Summer pushed Harper toward the entrance. Razor looked after their retreating forms with a deep frown.
“Everything okay?” Ashton asked.
“They were acting a little strange, don’t you think?”
She eyed the two girls through the door. Their jovial attitudes dimmed, but they didn’t look distressed.
“Not really. Probably just normal teenage drama.”
“Probably right.” Razor shrugged and turned her attention back to Ashton. “Shall we box the rest of this up?”
Ashton eyed the remaining pizza, excited for the leftovers, but saddened they’d lost their moment. “Yes, please. And I’m paying. It’s my thank you for the lesson.”
“So, this is a dutch date,” Razor joked.
“You bet it is,” Ashton said. “And you’re getting off easy. Next time, you’re paying.”
Razor bit her lip, and Ashton realized what she’d said as the smile grew on those lips. “I look forward to it.”
They went inside and grabbed a to-go container, and Razor put the remaining slices in the box while Ashton paid. Ten minutes later, they pulled into Ashton’s driveway.
“Thank you for dinner,” Razor said.
“Of course.”
The air in the truck turned thick as Razor’s eyes darkened.
Ashton’s breath quickened as Razor leaned forward.
Her pulse picked up, and she closed her eyes in anticipation.
Ashton hoped they hadn’t lost the moment interrupted by Harper and Summer.
But there was no press of soft lips against hers.
She opened her eyes and saw the pizza box under her nose.
“Your leftovers, madam.”
Ashton sighed and grabbed the box, then climbed out of the truck.
“Hey Ashton?”
She turned and saw Razor leaning across the console. “If this was a date…I hope you had a good time.”
Ashton placed her hand over her heart and smiled. “It was wonderful. Thank you.”
Razor ducked her head, a light blush coloring her cheeks.
Ashton gave a quick wave before closing the door, then climbed the stairs to her house, taking comfort in knowing Razor would sit and wait until she was safely inside.
When she closed the door, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of loss as she heard the truck rumble down the road and into the night.