Chapter 16 #2
“I… Nothing? I was next door.”
“Next door? At Josh’s house? I thought you hated him.”
I shook my head slowly. “Um, not exactly.”
Ashlyn’s mouth dropped open. “Are you sleeping with my neighbor?”
“Maybe?”
Ashlyn grabbed my hand and tugged me to the couch. “I hope that maybe is because you didn’t want to tell me and not because he’s so bad that you can’t count it as sex.”
“Definitely not that one,” I blurted.
Ashlyn grinned. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I shrugged. “I felt like I was rubbing it in your face.”
“That you’re having fun? What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t want you to find someone great?”
“I just… I don’t know. It felt mean.”
Ashlyn shook her head. “It’s only mean if you don’t tell me every single detail. Starting with how in the hell you two started talking, let alone playing hide the sausage.”
I barked a laugh at the way she waggled her eyebrows and told her everything from Josh bringing me coffee to our early morning talks to what happened that morning.
“I don’t really know him, but he was always nice. Josh keeps to himself, so I never got to know Christy either. They’re really close. And another guy, Oscar. He lives across the bay.”
“I can’t imagine what she’s going through. I invited her to go on his boat today with us.”
“He’s taking you on his boat?”
“Actually, he’s taking us on his boat.”
“Me, too?”
I nodded. “He invited us a week ago. Evie is with her mom this weekend.”
Ashlyn’s face twisted into a scowl. “Now, that one I do not like. Hannah thinks everyone should bow down to her. She tried to buy one of the houses I manage, and the owner told me she was a nightmare. They weren’t even selling the house, but she decided she wanted it, and she made their lives hell for months. ”
“She sounds like a piece of work. Josh said she scares off anyone he dates.”
“I believe it. She’s still in love with him.”
“I thought he said she was remarried.”
Ashlyn snorted. “Oh, please, like that matters. She probably thought getting married would make him see what he let go of. She didn’t account for him being happier without her.”
“Maybe. I don’t know. It doesn’t really matter.”
“Unless you stay in town.”
“What?” How did she know I was thinking about that?
“I’m just saying. You haven’t sounded all that happy in MacKellar Cove lately. Maybe you should move here. Live with me. Until you move in with Josh.”
“I’m not moving in with Josh.”
“Not today, but maybe one day.”
I got up and went to the kitchen to delay replying. I made coffee, stalling for time while I came up with something.
“You’re avoiding me. That means you’re hiding something. What is it?”
I shook my head. “I’ve been looking for jobs here.”
Ashlyn’s scream made me jump. “Oh my God, are you serious? Yes! You should totally move here. You can live with me. And you can sneak over to sleep with Josh whenever you want.”
I chuckled. “I’m not sure he’d be up for that.”
“What makes you think that?”
“We’re having fun. It’s casual. I told him I’m only here for the summer, because that was the plan. I don’t want to change the game in the middle.”
“Would that change your mind about moving here? If he didn’t want to continue seeing you after the summer?”
“No. I decided I wanted to move here when we were at Pour Standards last week. It has nothing to do with Josh. I miss you, and I miss having friends. But I don’t want to irritate you by moving here.”
She snorted. “I’ve been trying to convince you for years to move here. Why would I be irritated if you do exactly that?”
“I don’t know. I just worry about overstaying my welcome with you.”
She hugged me tightly. “You could never. I want you here. I would love having you in Amethyst Bay, and I would love having you living with me again.”
“Even though we have to share a bathroom?”
She threw her head back and laughed. “Even sharing a bathroom.”
“Thanks. If I find a job, I’ll get my own place.”
“There are small towns not far from here. Make sure you look there, too. And daycares, since you’re qualified for that. Ooh, and—”
“I promise I will look at all my options. But I don’t want anyone to know I’m thinking of moving here. Especially Josh. Not yet.”
She drew an X on her chest. “Cross my heart.”
I smiled. “It would be pretty great to live in the same town again.”
“Right? I would love it.”
I drew a breath and shook my head. “Okay, first, coffee. Then let’s run to Mouse Trap and get some snacks for lunch.”
“You had me at Mouse Trap,” Ashlyn said.
I laughed. “I figured.”
My purple bikini was my favorite. I bought it on a whim last summer since I was going to be in the pool with Finley and Trent MacKellar’s son, George.
He took swimming lessons, and they wanted him to have lots of practice.
Being there every day, I needed a second bathing suit so I could alternate them.
The top had a wide band beneath my boobs and extra wide triangles that covered each breast. Thin strips of fabric tied the two triangles together and added support and the appearance of coverage.
The high-waisted bottom matched with wide stripes of purple and decorative strips of fabric on my lower back.
The two inches of skin between the top and bottom made it technically a bikini, but it wasn’t overly revealing.
It hinted at being revealing, but I was covered and all my parts were secure.
“Damn, that’s hot,” Ashlyn said from my doorway. “I should get a suit like that. Your boobs look amazing in it.”
I cupped the girls. “Right? I got it last summer, but I love it.”
“Josh might be steering the boat with something other than his hands when he gets a load of you.”
I snorted. “You’re too much.”
She shook her head. “Nope. You’re hot. And I love seeing you happy. I’m sorry I’ve been such a downer that you didn’t think you could tell me about you guys.”
“You weren’t. You’ve been sad over a breakup. I get it.”
“Still.”
“No more apologizing. I should be apologizing for keeping it from you.”
“Apology truce?” She stuck out her hand.
I shook it once, then hugged her. “Apology truce.”
“Are you ready to go?”
I looked around the room and nodded. “Yep. I don’t think I need a coverup, do I?”
Ashlyn shook her head. “I wasn’t going to bother with it. I have towels out.”
“The cooler is packed. Water?”
“Last thing. Then we can go.”
We filled our water bottles, then walked outside. We both wore flip-flops since there were sticks on the pathway to the dock. Josh was already on the boat, and I was happy to see Christy was, too.
“By the way,” I told Ashlyn, “you look hot, too.”
She shook her butt. “I know.”
I laughed as we stepped onto the dock.
Josh looked up, his gaze sliding down my body. It clung to my breasts, then my thighs, then snapped to my face. He forced his eyes to Ashlyn and waved. “Hi.”
“Hey. Thanks for inviting me to join you guys. And for offering such a great apology to my bestie.” Ashlyn smirked at Josh.
He choked and nodded. “Um, yeah.”
Ashlyn took his offered hand and let him help her onto the boat. She stopped and looked up at him. “Seriously, thanks for making her happy. She deserves the best.”
Josh nodded, his lips lifting in a shy smile. “Thanks. Uh, you know Christy, right?”
Ashlyn walked over to Christy. “Not well, but I think that’s going to change today. I’m glad I’m not a third wheel by myself. And I’m so sorry about your dad. He was always so friendly and kind. He will be missed.”
“Thanks,” Christy said. “And you’re the only reason I’m here, so I’m glad you don’t mind.”
Ashlyn held up the cooler. “I brought cheese.”
“You’re now my best friend,” Christy said.
Josh turned to me with a smile. “Can I give you a hand?” He held his hand out to help me onto the boat.
I slid my hand into his. “Thanks.”
He didn’t release me when I stepped onto the deck. “You’re captivating. The most beautiful woman ever.”
My cheeks heated with his words. “Thank you.”
He leaned down and kissed me softly, mindful of our audience. “Don’t bother to change before you come over tonight.”
I laughed. “Why is that?”
“Because I want to peel you out of this. With my teeth.”
Good thing I was wearing a bathing suit because all of a sudden, I was soaked.