11. Ashlie
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ASHLIE
W hy the hell are there so many kinds of lace? I’ve been surrounded by itchy tulle and shiny taffeta for too many hours. My face hurts from laughing at all the frilly gowns, each comically wrong for Kayla. She decided which looks she absolutely hates, but other than that, our first dress shopping trip was a bust. The only upside has been spending an entire Saturday with my best friend.
The elevator doors clamp shut, jostling us as it climbs to her fourth-floor apartment. “I’m just saying, if we’re all in Bender for Thanksgiving, we could knock out a bunch of the planning. Shower Tree Lodge would be perfect.” I place a hand on Kayla’s arm to pacify the ensuing argument radiating from her. “It’s big enough for all of us, with a little room to spare. We could have a joint dinner with our families; make a vacation out of it. Just think, five days back home in the mountains.”
Kayla scrunches her face. “Oh, having everyone in the same place makes sense. I just don’t know about renting an entire lodge when we can stay at our parents’ houses for free.”
“Is it a money thing? You know your dad will take care of that.”
She slides a hand on her hip. “Yeah, but it doesn’t mean I’m any more comfortable asking for money than I have been in the past.”
Kayla didn’t grow up with her dad—didn’t even know who he was until we all met that summer in Bender. She grew up having to scrimp and save for everything, and five years hasn’t been long enough to convince her that she has so much more support than she used to. Kayla’s dad, Kendall, and Chase’s dad, Russell, co-founded EdTechU. My best friends are technology royalty twice over, even though Kayla doesn’t see it that way. She still tries to rely on her own hard-earned money at all times. I understand her hesitation, but she’s not going to realize she has breathing room until she practices breathing.
“Let’s talk to Chase about it and see what he thinks,” I say, following her down the hallway. I’m 95 percent sure I’ll have to go over her head on this one.
“You already know he’ll love the idea, Ash.”
“Exactly. Even more reason for us to do it.”
When we step inside, we’re greeted by a basketball game on the wall-mounted TV. Two grown men in jerseys shout at the screen as the door falls closed behind us. Their hollering bounces off the floor-to-ceiling windows at another bad call. This has to be another setup . I glare at Kayla suspiciously, and she shrugs, evading my eyes while she hangs her bag on the hook by the door. Without a word, she walks across the maple hardwood and perches on the gray sofa arm. Chase instantly reaches around her waist, pulling her onto his lap like the doting fiancé he is.
“Are we winning?” I ask once I reach the couch.
Trevor pops his head out from behind the other two with a smile. “Hey! You like basketball?”
“Basketball, football, it all came with the territory.” I walk around the couch, arms settling across my chest when I stop next to him.
“Did you play…?”
“Cheerleader.”
Trevor stands, motioning for me to take his seat. The jolt that zings up my arm as I brush past him is certainly welcome.
“Hey, Trev.” Kayla smirks at her phone, clearly avoiding my scrutiny. “You staying for dinner? I’m ordering Mexican.” She knows I know what she’s up to. I glance at Chase, and he mouths the words told you before moving his attention back to the game.
“Sounds good.” Trevor tucks his hands in his pockets and turns back toward the TV.
“Well since you’re staying, you might as well sit back down.” I scoot to the middle, but with the other two next to me, it only leaves a narrow space for him to squeeze into. The heat of his thigh smashed against mine sends my lower lip between my teeth. When he slides his arm across the back of the couch out of necessity, the spiced orange and clove notes on his skin tempt me to curl into him. I don’t, but it’s like being snuggled up next to a warm holiday TV special.
After dinner, I take up residence in the kitchen, tackling the dishes. I have an early morning flight, so the least I can do is handle cleanup tonight. I’m elbow deep in hot soapy water when Trevor comes over, dish towel in hand.
“Need any help?” he asks. “I’m pretty good at drying.”
“Is anyone ever bad at that? It’s the easiest part.”
He grabs a plate from the drying rack, brushing my arm in the process. My cheeks heat, and he gives a knowing smile. “You got me there…”
“So, you’re from the Midwest?” I ask, hoping the shake in my voice isn’t obvious.
“Yep, Nebraska.”
“Nebraska has Black people?”
“A few.” He chuckles, and it puts a smile on my face. “Heritage has more than other small towns in the area. Still hated it though.”
“Too much corn?” I tease. That earns another laugh as he swipes the towel over the plate in his hand.
“You’d think, but no. I got tired of being around the same people all the time. Everyone acted like we lived in some perfect little bubble where learning about the real world was unnecessary. I tried to go back when I got out of the Coast Guard, but I couldn’t stand it. California is good for me.”
Attractive and genuine ? Yes, please ! With my track record, it’s refreshing to have a conversation with a guy who actually seems interested. We stare at each other for several seconds before I snap out of it and look back into the greige dish water. “They planned this, you know…” I jut my chin toward our friends snuggled up on the couch.
“I do know. I asked them to.”
My eyes snap to his, and the smile on his face has fallen into a cute little crooked grin. “ Oh ? ” I raise an amused brow. “Why’s that?”
“Because I want to get to know you.” His deep voice scatters tingles through me, and I glance away.
“Do you, now?” Plunging my hands back into the water, I fish around for the last few utensils. My heart thumps from his forwardness, but I’m not sure if I’m nervous or excited.
“Very much.” He steps closer, giving me a clear view of the green scattered through his hazel eyes. “I’ll be in LA for New Year’s. I know it’s a couple of months away, but can I take you out?”
Pause . Planning a date for two months from now ? Who does that ? What’s his motive ? This is the kind of early enthusiasm men hook me with all the time. I consider saying no, but then I catch a glimpse of my friends watching us from the couch. Kayla shoots me an obvious look with her eyebrows, while Chase gives a sly thumbs-up. They think Trevor would be good for me. Something inside me wants to trust that. What if he’s the “something new” I’ve been looking for ?
“Yeah, I think that would be fun,” I say with a smile.
He digs his phone from his pocket, and we exchange numbers. The smile doesn’t leave his face as we finish the dishes, and mine is ever present until he heads home.
“So…?” Kayla raises her brow as she sits at the counter.
“Girl, you’re not subtle at all . You planned that.” I laugh, shaking my head.
“Someone had to! It worked, didn’t it? He asked you out?”
“Sure, for almost two months from now…”
“Hey, a win is a win.” She shrugs. “Rushing is overrated anyway.”
“Well, I’m calling it a night. You two don’t stay up too late.” Chase stands from the couch, stretching and stifling a yawn.
“Wait, Chase”—I ignore Kayla’s eyeroll—“we need to run something by you.”
“No,” Kayla says through gritted teeth, staring right at me. “We don’t. It’s nothing.”
“Kay, it’s a good idea.”
Chase cocks his head and walks toward us. “Well, now I’m intrigued… What’s up?”
I explain the plan for Thanksgiving, including Hunter flying in.
Chase shrugs and wraps his arms around his bride-to-be. “Sounds good to me…”
“Expensive is what it sounds like.” Kayla turns to him.
“Baby, it’s fine .” He nuzzles into her neck. “You know Dad and Kendall would give you the world if you’d let them. This is a good idea.” He looks at me and nods. “I’ll get it all set up on Monday and send out details.” After another yawn, he kisses Kayla’s cheek, says goodnight, and disappears into their bedroom.
She rolls her eyes again, puffing out an annoyed huff at losing the battle of the lodge. But my mind is filled with the hope that I’ll be as lucky as she is one day. She’s acquired the ultimate prize and found someone willing to give her the world without any hesitation. Must be nice .