Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Ashlyn
We’ve been at Eden for about an hour now.
Ivy and I grabbed a table just out of sight from where Laney and her date are sitting, and I’m starting to wish we’d chosen a spot closer.
I’m dying to know how things are going, but unless I get up and casually stroll by their table, I’ll have to wait for Laney to come find us.
We’d convinced her to walk in on her own. There’s no need for her date to know we’re here acting as backup. Probably not the best vibe for a first date. Still, I can’t help wanting to meet the guy. Maybe if things go well, I’ll get the chance.
Paisley’s working a shift tonight and has been doing an impressive job of keeping mine and Ivy’s drinks topped up. Out of nowhere, she appears at our table, balancing three glasses of wine, then plops down beside me with a dramatic exhale.
“It’s crazy busy tonight,” she says, leaning her head back against the seat. “I’ve got a ten-minute break, so I figured I’d come hang out.”
We’d already filled her in on Laney and her date when we first got here, so I’m not surprised when she immediately starts firing off questions. I can’t help but grin, knowing she’s eager for all the details.
“So, what’s the deal with Laney suddenly doing a complete one-eighty?” Paisley asks, picking up her wine glass and swallowing a mouthful of the red liquid. “I thought she didn’t want anything to do with you?”
I laugh softly. “Yeah, well, her car broke down the other night, and Ben asked me to go get her. She ended up back at mine, raiding my wardrobe and sharing pizza. I think she was in so much trouble for sneaking out while grounded that Ben scared her into playing nice. Part of me still wonders if this is all an act.”
Ivy shakes her head. “No way. I’ve seen her with you tonight. If she’s faking, she deserves an Oscar.”
“I hope you’re right,” I say. “It’s starting to feel like we’ve finally turned a corner. She got ready at mine for her date,” I tell Paisley. “Ben’s still away, so she’s staying over at my place tonight.”
Paisley smiles. “I’m made up for you, Ash. I know how important it was for Laney to approve of your relationship.”
“I’m not sure she’s a hundred percent there yet, but it’s a start,” I tell her optimistically.
“She seems sweet. Like someone you’d be friends with, even if her dad wasn’t ridiculously hot,” Ivy teases with a wink.
I laugh. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”
Just then, I spot Laney heading our way.
“Hey, everything good?” I ask, standing as she approaches.
She beams. “Yeah! It’s going really well. He’s even hotter in person, and we’re totally hitting it off. I was on my way back from the bathroom and thought I’d pop over with an update.”
“That’s amazing,” I say, matching her excitement. “Come on. I want you to meet Paisley,” I add, taking her hand and leading her toward the table.
“Okay,” she says with a laugh, letting me guide her.
“Paisley’s engaged to my brother, Nash. You know, the cop,” I explain, and Laney nods in recognition.
“Paisley, this is Laney. Laney, meet Paisley.”
“Hi!” Paisley says warmly. “How’s the date going?”
Laney practically glows. “So good! He’s really sweet.”
“You look gorgeous, by the way,” Paisley adds. “I love that dress.”
Laney links her arm with mine and smiles, and I can’t help but grin back.
“Isn’t it great? Ash lent it to me,” she tells Paisley.
“She has great taste,” Paisley replies.
I wave her off. “It looks a million times better on Laney than it ever did on me.”
“I don’t buy that for a second. You’re stunning, Ash,” Laney says, sincerity in her voice.
My cheeks flush at the unexpected compliment. “You two are gonna give me a big head,” I joke, laughing softly.
Laney chuckles, then glances toward the crowd. “I should get back. You’re still good to wait for me?”
“Of course,” I assure her. “Go have fun.”
She gives a little wave before disappearing into the thickening crowd. Paisley wasn’t kidding when she said the place was packed; it’s standing room only now.
“She really does seem sweet,” Paisley says, echoing what Ivy mentioned earlier. “And it looks like she’s starting to genuinely like you.”
I bite my bottom lip, unsure. “You think so?”
Paisley nods. “Absolutely.”
I let out a breath. “From what she’s told me, she doesn’t have a ton of close friends. Maybe that’s part of it; the whole friendship thing is appealing. I mean, we’re not that far apart in age. Seven years isn’t much. It’s almost the same gap as between me and Sophie.”
Paisley grins. “I think it’s awesome if you two can build that kind of relationship. Who knows? You might end up spending more time with her than with Ben.”
Ivy and I both laugh.
“I should get back to work before someone comes looking for me,” Paisley says, her tone playful. “I’ll swing by again if I can.”
She gets up, gives us a quick wave, and disappears into the crowd.
A moment later, Ivy leans in. “Hey, isn’t that Ben?”
I follow her gaze, and sure enough, there he is. My brows pull together in confusion. “Yeah, that’s him… The conference must’ve wrapped up early.”
Ivy’s eyes widen as she glances at me. “Wait. Does he know Laney’s here? Wasn’t she grounded?”
My stomach twists. “Crap,” I mutter. “He knows we’re here. He doesn’t know she’s on a date.”
Ivy gives me a worried look. “But he’ll understand, right? I mean, you two are finally getting along. That’s got to count for something.”
“I hope so,” I say quietly. “But he might just see that I lied to him.” The knot in my stomach tightens, and for the first time all night, I wonder if I’ve made a huge mistake.
“I guess you’re about to find out,” Ivy murmurs as Ben finally spots us across the room.
I take a steadying breath, then stand and walk toward him.
“Hey,” I greet him softly, rising onto my toes to press a quick kiss to his lips. “What are you doing here?”
A warm smile spreads across his face as he pulls me into his arms. “The conference finished early. I figured I’d drive home tonight instead of staying over… I missed you.”
I missed him too, but hearing that he missed me just as much makes my heart skip.
“Can I get a proper kiss now?” he asks, his voice low and rough in that way that always makes me melt.
I nod, and he leans in again, his mouth brushing over mine before deepening the kiss.
His teeth graze my lower lip, sending a jolt through me, and I open to him without thinking.
Our tongues slide together, slow and familiar, and I let my fingers tangle in his hair as his arms hold me closer.
Every time he kisses me, everything else disappears, and tonight is no exception.
When we finally break apart, I rest my forehead against his, both of us breathing a little harder than before.
“Come sit,” I say quietly, sliding my hand into his and tugging him toward the booth. “Have you gotten a drink yet?”
He shakes his head. “I ran into Wyatt on the way in. He’s at the bar grabbing beers for us.”
I nod and lead him over to Ivy, who’s watching us with a knowing smile. Ben settles in beside me, his hand still wrapped around mine.
“Where’s Laney?” he asks, glancing toward the back of the bar. “Is she in the restroom?”
Ivy glances at me briefly, then lifts her wine glass and focuses hard on swirling the deep red liquid.
“Um… no,” I say carefully, my stomach twisting. “She’s not in the restroom.”
Ben drags his free hand through his hair. “Jesus. She ditched you, didn’t she? And you’re covering for her?” He lets out a heavy sigh, shaking his head. “That girl is in so much trouble.”
“No,” I blurt out, squeezing his hand to get his attention. “That’s not what happened.”
He frowns at me. “Then what is happening, Ash?”
I exhale slowly. “She’s on a date.”
Ben’s eyebrows shoot up. “What?”
“She’s on a date,” I say again, more carefully this time. “I didn’t want her coming here alone to meet a guy she barely knows, so Ivy and I are here too, just in case she needs us. Don’t be mad at her. She was ready to cancel, and I talked her into going.”
The words spill out in a rush, and I hold my breath, searching his face for any sign of how he’s going to take it. When his expression softens and he smiles, I’m caught off guard.
“You’re looking out for Laney?” he asks, his tone somewhere between surprised and impressed.
I nod, returning his smile. “Of course. She met this guy online. We weren’t about to let her go without backup. We had to make sure he wasn’t some creep.”
Ben’s smile grows, and he shakes his head a little. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“You’re not mad?” I ask hesitantly.
He lifts his brows. “Well, you did completely overlook the fact that she’s grounded, especially after sneaking off to Prescott the other day,” he says, his voice trailing off as if he’s still weighing it all.
My stomach twists a little, but then he glances at me again, softer this time.
“But no, I’m not mad. How could I be? You gave up your Friday night to make sure she was safe. ”
Before I can answer, Wyatt appears beside us, balancing a tray of drinks.
“Hey. I wasn’t sure what you and Ivy were drinking, so I grabbed vodka sodas,” he says, eyeing the nearly empty wine glasses. “I can go back and get wine if you’d rather?”
Ivy waves him off. “No need. Vodka sodas are perfect. Right, Ash?”
“Yeah,” I say with a smile. “I’ve probably hit my wine limit anyway. Thanks, Wyatt.”
He sets the tray down and hands out the drinks.
“Appreciate it, man,” Ben says, lifting his beer and taking a long drink. “So, where is she?” he asks, scanning the crowded room.
“She’s just around the corner, out of sight,” I explain. “We didn’t want to sit there staring at her all night. But she’s fine. She stopped by on her way back from the bathroom to give us an update.”
He nods, though I can see the wheels turning in his head. “What do you know about this guy?”
Before I can answer, I hear Wyatt ask Ivy, “What’s going on?”
I glance over to see her lean in close, murmuring something in his ear. He listens carefully then gives a slow nod as understanding settles in.
“Not a lot,” I admit, turning back to Ben. “He’s twenty-two–”
“Twenty-two?” he cuts in, his eyes widening. “Laney’s eighteen!”
I lift my brows. “Almost nineteen,” I remind him gently.
He gives me an exasperated look. “Whose side are you on?” There’s a trace of amusement in his voice, and I can’t help but smile.
“Four years isn’t that much, and it’s only a date. She’s not marrying him,” I tease.
He chuckles, shaking his head. “Okay. Fair point.”
“He’s a cop in Hope Creek,” I add.
Ben’s expression changes, his interest clearly piqued. “A cop?”
I nod. “Yep. And if things go well tonight, I’m sure you’ll get to meet him soon.”
The next hour passes in a blur of conversation, laughter, and drinks.
Paisley stops by a couple of times, but it feels like the bar gets more crowded with every minute.
I’m having a great time, though there’s a part of me that keeps wondering how the night’s going to play out now Ben’s here.
Laney was supposed to crash at my place.
Her stuff’s still there and I’d planned on us walking home since I drove to Eden but ended up having a drink.
Ben’s had a couple of beers, but he switched to soda a while ago, so I’m guessing he’s driven and is planning on going home.
I don’t get a chance to ask Ben anything before Laney appears, a wide grin on her face. But the second she spots him, it vanishes, replaced by pure panic. Her eyes fly to mine, and I give her an encouraging smile, hoping to calm her nerves.
“Dad… I didn’t think you’d be back tonight,” she says, her voice tight with unease.
“I can tell,” Ben replies, lifting his brows in amusement.
She shoots me a pleading look, and I gently nudge Ben with my elbow.
“Quit messing with her,” I say, giving him a pointed look before stepping out of the booth and reaching for Laney’s hand.
Ben chuckles. “Looks like you two are going to be a handful now you’re finally friends," he says. “Ash told me everything. You’re not in trouble for being here, Laney,” he adds, his tone softening.
Laney glances between us then lets out a shaky breath, relief washing over her.
“Did Ryan head out already?” I ask, and she nods. “Come sit. I want to hear all about it.”