Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Ashlyn
“I’ve had the best day,” Paisley gushes as we wait in Franco’s entryway to be seated. “I wasn’t expecting to try my dress on again. It’s so beautiful. I can’t wait to wear it.”
“Nash is going to lose his mind when he sees you in it,” Ivy says with a grin. “You looked stunning.”
Paisley’s cheeks flush at the compliment, and I smile. Ivy’s right; Paisley is going to be a breathtaking bride.
“You’ve been quiet today,” Taylor says beside me. “Everything okay?”
I give her a small smile and nod. “I’m okay.”
She holds my gaze, her expression making it clear she doesn’t believe me.
And she’s right. I’m not okay. What with Nash and Cade being difficult last week and Laney’s stunt the other night, I’m mentally exhausted.
I was so excited for a girly day filled with wedding plans, but my mind has been elsewhere.
Now, I feel guilty for not being fully present with everyone.
“Our table’s ready!” Paisley announces, waving us forward.
Once we’re seated and our food is ordered, I cradle my wine glass, slowly sipping the deep red liquid.
“So, what’s left to organize for the wedding?” Taylor asks. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Paisley shakes her head with a smile. “Tessa has everything under control. She re-hired the caterers, spoke to the florist, and even re-ordered the cake. I swear she could be a wedding planner.”
I chuckle. “She’s been waiting for a wedding to plan for a long time. There was a point when she thought we’d all be single forever.”
“And now Wyatt’s the only one left,” Sophie says. “So much has changed in the last year.”
“It really has,” I agree. “A marriage, an engagement, and a baby.”
“And you and Ben,” Paisley adds, giving me a knowing smile. “Things are still good after the other night, right?”
I nod. “Yeah. Things are good.”
I haven’t told them what Laney did earlier this week. Ivy knows, but it’s kind of humiliating that she’s going to such extremes to keep us apart. It’s not exactly something I want to broadcast.
Taylor leans in. “What Ben said before you left, the way he told you that you were worth it? Every obstacle, every doubt? That was something else. It was so romantic.”
“It definitely made a rough night better,” I admit.
“That’s the thing about older guys,” Sophie says with a smirk. “Less drama. They’ve already done their growing up.”
“If only Cade and Nash saw it that way,” I say dryly.
“Nash and I had the biggest argument when we got home,” Paisley admits. “He was such a jerk to you and Ben.”
My eyes widen in horror.
She reaches her hand across the table. “Shit. I shouldn’t have said that.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want you guys fighting because of me and Ben.”
She gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Then he shouldn’t be an ass about it. You know I’m always going to stand up for one of my best friends, Ash.”
“You already fell out once because of me, and I swore I’d never let that happen again. You both mean so much to me.” My voice wavers, and I blink back the tears threatening to fall.
“You mean the world to us too, Ash. And I promise, Nash and I are good.”
I nod and take a long sip of wine, hoping she’s telling the truth. I’d never forgive myself if I came between them.
“Enough about my overprotective brother,” I say, steering the conversation in a different direction. “Are we planning another bachelorette party?”
Paisley waves a dismissive hand. “No need for that.”
“There’s every need,” Taylor insists. “I ruined the last one.”
“It wasn’t your fault, Tay,” Paisley says gently. “It was an accident.”
“I’d still feel better if you got a do-over for your night.”
“Well, we’re all together now,” Paisley points out.
“But Bree isn’t here, and Sophie has to get back to Hunter,” I remind her. “What about in a few weeks’ time? The guys could plan something too.”
“Uh, guys… I’m not ready to leave Hunter with anyone except Cade,” Sophie says apologetically. “And he should be at his brother’s bachelor party, so I might have to sit this one out. Sorry, Paisley.”
“Of course you don’t want to leave him,” Paisley says warmly. “And I don’t even need a bachelorette party.”
“This is happening, Paisley,” Taylor says firmly.
“You have to let Taylor and Ash do this for you,” Sophie adds with a grin.
Paisley laughs, holding up her hands in surrender. “Fine. Looks like I’m outnumbered anyway.”
“You definitely are,” I confirm. “We’ll let the guys know when we meet them later at Eden.”
The server sets our food down, and the conversation fades as everyone starts eating.
I push my food around my plate, barely eating anything.
My appetite is non-existent, and my mind keeps drifting.
The idea of going to Eden after dinner makes my stomach roll, and I wonder if I should just head home instead.
Nash will be there, and I’m not sure I have the energy for another confrontation with him.
Ben
After leaving Eden, I spend the rest of the afternoon attempting to get some work done, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t focus and find myself reading the same paragraph over and over before finally giving up.
After a quick shower and a bite to eat, I pace the entryway, waiting for my Uber as nerves creep in.
Meeting Ash’s brothers tonight feels like progress.
Seb seems to have accepted me, and Nash inviting me out might mean he’s starting to come around, but there’s still plenty that could go wrong.
The chime of my phone pulls me from my thoughts. I reach for it, smiling when I see a message from Ash. We’ve exchanged a few texts today, but I haven’t mentioned that I’m heading to Eden. If things go well, hopefully I’ll still be there when she arrives with the girls.
Ash: Hey, we’re heading to Franco’s now. I wish you were staying at my place tonight. It would be nice if you were in my bed when I got home.
I smile, wishing the same. Maybe if everything goes as planned, I will be. Before I can type out a response, a car horn honks outside, signaling my ride has arrived. I lock up quickly, jog down the porch steps, and slide into the back seat, giving the driver a quick nod before replying to Ash.
Me: Hi, baby. Hope you’re having fun. God, I wish you were coming home to me too. I’ve missed you today.
Almost immediately, my phone vibrates with her reply.
Ashlyn: I miss you too. Can I call you later?
My smile grows as I type back.
Me: Of course you can. Talk to you later, baby.
Twenty minutes later, the car pulls up outside Eden.
I thank the driver, step out, and take a steadying breath as I stand on the sidewalk.
Nerves churn in my stomach. I need tonight to go well.
Pushing them aside, I head inside, my gaze sweeping the room.
There’s no sign of Nash or Wyatt yet, so I make my way to the bar where Seb is serving.
He spots me and lifts a hand in greeting.
“Hey, Ben. What can I get you?”
“A beer, please.”
He nods. “Coming right up.”
Grabbing a bottle of Bud from the fridge, he slides it across the bar. I reach for my wallet, but he waves me off.
“Nash and Wyatt aren’t here yet, but they shouldn’t be long.”
Seb moves down the bar to serve another customer while I take a sip of my beer, my gaze drifting around the room.
It’s still early for a Saturday night, but a few people have already settled in with drinks.
Ash mentioned a live band is playing later, so it won’t be long before the place starts filling up.
“Taylor messaged not long ago,” Seb says. “The girls should be here just after seven.”
I nod. “Yeah, Ash messaged me too. Sounds like they’ve had a good day.”
“I’m glad. Taylor felt so guilty about Paisley postponing the wedding.”
I offer a small smile. “I’m sure going through with it without her wasn’t an option.”
Seb nods. “I’m glad they waited. She would’ve been devastated to miss it. She loves Paisley like a sister.”
“Hey, Seb,” a voice calls from behind me.
I turn to see Nash and Wyatt approaching.
“You ready for this?” Seb asks, raising an eyebrow.
I exhale slowly. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Seb steps around the bar and pulls Wyatt into a hug. “Good to see you, man.”
Wyatt returns the embrace. “You too, Seb. How’s Taylor?”
Seb grins. “She’s great. She’ll be here soon.”
I catch Nash’s eye, and he gives me a slight nod. I return the gesture. When Wyatt pulls away from Seb, his gaze moves to me.
“Ben, right?” Wyatt asks, and I nod. “Nash told me you’re dating Ash.”
I smile. “He told you right.” Extending my hand, I wait as he hesitates before finally shaking it.
“He also mentioned I should go easy on you since he and Cade already gave you a hard time.”
Surprised, I glance at Nash, who simply shrugs and looks away.
“I’m not expecting an easy ride,” I say, meeting Wyatt’s gaze. “I’ll prove to anyone who needs it that Ash and I are good together.”
Wyatt smirks. “Nash also said you were persistent. I like that.”
I’m guessing Nash told Wyatt more than just the fact that I’m persistent.
He probably knows about Molly and Laney, and the age gap too.
At least that saves me from repeating everything again.
What surprises me most is Nash asking Wyatt to go easy on me.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate it, but it definitely feels like something has shifted with him. I hope I’m right.
“Grab a table and I’ll get the drinks,” Seb says, pulling me from my thoughts.
Nash and Wyatt walk away from the bar, and I follow, sliding into a booth beside Wyatt.
“So, how long have you and my sister been dating?” Wyatt asks the moment I sit down.
“A few weeks.”
“And it’s serious?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“Ash feels the same way?”
“I think so.”
Seb returns with the drinks, sliding another Bud in front of me. I take a sip from the first, feeling like I’m in the middle of a job interview.
“You think so?” Wyatt repeats, frowning.
I set my beer down and rub my now-sweaty palms against my jeans. “We haven’t exactly had that conversation yet.”
“But you’re going to?”
I nod.
He settles back in his chair, his arms folded across his chest, his expression unreadable. Still, I press on.
“I know I’m not who you would have chosen for your sister,” I say, echoing what I told Nash.
“But I love her, and I want to do everything I can to make her happy. That starts with you guys.” I glance between Wyatt, Seb, and Nash.
“I know how close you all are, and I understand how much your acceptance means to Ash.”
“We just want the best for her. That’s all we’ve ever wanted,” Nash says.
“I want the same,” I assure them.
Nash exhales, nodding. “We can see that. None of us are comfortable with the age gap or the fact that you're still married, but it’s obvious how much you care about her. You wouldn’t be fighting this hard for our approval if you didn’t.”
A flicker of hope ignites in my chest.
“So… we’re good?” I ask carefully.
Wyatt claps a hand on my back. “We’re good. But if you hurt her, Ben…” He lets the warning hang in the air.
“I won’t,” I say firmly.
“Then we won’t have a problem,” he says, taking another swig of his beer. “Now, onto the important stuff. You like football, right?”
Before I can answer, Nash bursts out laughing. Clearly, he hasn’t told Wyatt about my unwavering loyalty to the Arizona Cardinals yet. Looks like he was saving that moment for in person.
Wyatt glances between us, eyebrows raised. “What’s so funny?”
“Ben’s a die-hard Cardinals fan.” Nash smirks. “Went to every home game when he lived in Phoenix.”
Wyatt grins. “No kidding?”
I nod. “Yeah, my dad took me to every game when I was a kid too. Haven’t been in a while, though. Not since I left Phoenix.”
“I’ll hook you up with some seats next season,” Wyatt offers. “You and Ash can make a weekend out of it.”
“Thanks. I’d love that.”
He waves off my gratitude. “No big deal.”
The next hour flies by as we talk football, with Seb keeping the beers coming. It feels good, just a regular night out with the guys; something I haven’t done in years, and I realize how much I’ve missed it.
It’s almost surreal sitting here laughing and drinking with Ash’s brothers after how tense things were at her parents’ place last week.
For the first time, it feels like we’re actually getting the acceptance we need to move forward.
And as much as I’m enjoying myself, I can’t wait for Ash to get here and see how much things have changed.