Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Ashley
The days after Mom’s hospital visit were a whirlwind, flights stacking up like a deck of cards I couldn’t shuffle fast enough.
I’d been zipping between short hauls, Austin one morning, Dallas that afternoon, Charlotte the next day, barely crashing on Riva’s couch long enough to recharge before heading back to the airport.
Darryl and I hadn’t seen each other since that emotional night, just firing off quick texts to check in, my brain too jammed with Mom’s three-month timeline to focus.
Work kept me sane, but every quiet moment, her voice crept in, her laugh, that wedding dress dream she’d clung to.
I was wiping down the galley counter on a late Chicago run, the plane half-empty, when my phone buzzed in my pocket.
I fished it out, saw Darryl’s name, and answered quickly, ducking into the jump seat to keep it low.
“Hey,” I said, tucking my hair back. “What’s up? ”
“Hey,” he said, his voice steady but warm through the line. “Are you free tomorrow? We need to plan this wedding. My place. Family’s on board.”
“Tomorrow?” I said, leaning against the wall. “Yeah, I’m off. What time?”
“Noon,” he said. “Mom’s already hyped. They’re ready to jump in.”
“Sweet,” I said, grinning despite the exhaustion. “I’m there. Noon’s good.”
“Good,” he said, pausing a beat. “How’s your mom holding up?”
“Hanging in,” I said, my throat catching a little. “She’s excited about this. Keeps me moving.”
“Yeah,” he said, softer now. “See you tomorrow then.”
“See you,” I said, hanging up. I finished the flight, the promise of tomorrow keeping my feet planted, and dragged myself to Riva’s, crashing hard on her lumpy couch, dreaming of white dresses and backyard vows.
The next day, I pulled up to Darryl’s house, the familiar two-story glowing under a bright noon sun.
I’d gone casual, jeans, a white tee, and my favorite sneakers, but I’d taken time with my hair, letting it fall in loose waves I’d brushed out.
I grabbed my bag, a beat-up tote stuffed with a notebook, some scribbled ideas, and a pack of pens, then hopped out, ringing the bell.
Darryl opened the door, looking relaxed in a gray shirt and jeans, his usual scowl dialed back just a notch.
“Hey,” he said, stepping aside. “Come on in.”
“Hey,” I said, brushing past him slowly, then hooking my arm through his with a big grin. “Missed you, boyfriend. Been too long.”
“Relax,” he said, but he didn’t pull away, guiding me toward the living room. “They’re all waiting.”
Nancy was perched on the couch, flipping through a cooking magazine, Ted sat in his armchair with a notepad and pen, and Jen sprawled on the rug, texting away. “Ashley!” Nancy said, popping up to wrap me in a hug. “There’s our bride-to-be. Ready to get this wedding going?”
“Totally,” I said, hugging her back, then plopping down next to Darryl, scooting close and leaning into his side. “Let’s make it happen.”
“Aw,” Jen said, glancing up with a smirk. “Look at you two. Clingy already?”
“Super clingy,” I said, wrapping both arms around Darryl’s, resting my chin on his shoulder. “He’s mine now.”
“Great,” he said, his voice dry, but he didn’t budge, letting me hang on. “Let’s start.”
“Okay,” Nancy said, grabbing a pen and a blank page from Ted’s notepad. “When’s the big day? Soon, right?”
“Yeah,” I said, squeezing Darryl’s arm tightly. “Mom’s got three months, so maybe two weeks? Gives us enough time but keeps it fast.”
“Two weeks,” Ted said, scribbling it down. “Short window, but we can pull it off. Where were you thinking?”
“Backyard?” Darryl said, glancing at me, his arm shifting under my grip. “Simple. Mom’s got the room.”
“Love that,” I said, nuzzling his shoulder with a grin. “Cozy and perfect. You’re so smart, babe.”
“Knock it off,” he said, but his mouth twitched, almost a smile. Jen laughed, snapping a quick pic with her phone.
“Keep going,” she said, grinning. “I’m saving this for later.”
“Focus,” Nancy said, shushing her with a wave. “Dress, Ashley? You got one picked out?”
“Not yet,” I said, letting go of Darryl just long enough to pull my notebook from my bag. Thinking white, short, nothing too fancy. Mom’s all about seeing me in it, so that’s the main thing.”
“I’ll take you shopping,” Nancy said, nodding quickly. “Tomorrow, if you’re around.”
“Deal,” I said, sliding back against Darryl, my hand landing on his knee. “You’re coming too, right, honey?”
“No,” he said, shifting his leg a bit. “You two can deal with that.”
“Boo,” I said, pouting up at him, running my fingers along his arm. “You’re no fun.”
“He’s never fun,” Jen said, rolling her eyes from the floor. “What about food?”
“Potluck?” Ted said, looking up from his notes. “Family can bring stuff. Keeps it simple.”
“Perfect,” I said, tracing little circles on Darryl’s leg. “Easy’s best. You cooking something, babe?”
“No,” he said, grabbing my hand to stop the tracing. “Mom’s on it.”
“Roast again,” Nancy said, smiling. “And cake. Got to have a cake.”
“I’ll call a bakery,” Jen said, tapping her phone. “Something small, cute. You two pick flavors.”
“Chocolate,” I said, leaning my head on Darryl’s shoulder, pressing my cheek against him. “You like that, right, sweetie?”
“Sure,” he said, his voice gruff but soft, shifting under my weight. “Whatever you want.”
“Aw,” I said, hugging his arm tighter, my hands sliding up to his bicep. “You’re too good to me.”
“Gross,” Jen said, laughing out loud. “You’re killing me over here.”
We kept at it, tossing out ideas, flowers from the neighbor’s yard, a playlist Jen swore she’d handle, Ted volunteering to round up chairs from the garage.
I stayed glued to Darryl, teasing him with every chance, my hand on his back, my leg brushing his, leaning in close to whisper nonsense like, “You’re the best fiancé ever,” just to see him squirm.
He grumbled, muttering stuff like, “Cut it out,” or “You’re pushing it,” but he didn’t shove me off, and I caught Nancy beaming at us like we were the real deal.
Hours rolled by, the sun sinking outside, and we nailed it down: two weeks, backyard, simple and sweet for Mom.
“Done,” Ted said, tossing his notepad onto the coffee table. “Solid plan, you two.”
“Thanks,” I said, wrapping both arms around Darryl’s waist, squeezing him tight and grinning up. “Couldn’t do it without my favorite guy.”
“Yeah,” he said, patting my arm stiffly. “Team effort.”
“It’s late,” Nancy said, standing and stretching. “Ashley, stay here. No sense driving back now.”
“Really?” I said, looking at her. “You sure?”
“Of course,” she said, waving a hand. “Darryl’s room’s got space. Right, Darryl?”
“Yeah,” he said, shrugging. “Fine by me.”
“Perfect,” I said, hugging him even tighter, pressing my face into his side. “Sleepover with my fiancé.”
“Chill,” he said, his ears turning pink, and Jen cackled, hopping up from the floor.
“Night, lovebirds,” she said, darting upstairs. Ted followed, clapping Darryl on the shoulder with a chuckle, and Nancy shooed us off with a warm smile.
We climbed to his room, a plain space with a bed, dresser, and a chair stacked with old shirts. I dropped my bag, kicking off my sneakers, and turned to him, my hands landing on his arms. “Hey,” I said, quieter now, stepping close. “Thanks for all this. You’re amazing, you know that?”
“It’s nothing,” he said, looking down at me, hands shoved in his pockets.
“No, it’s everything,” I said, pressing closer, my voice soft. “For Mom, for me. You can back out anytime, though. If you want.”
“Nah,” he said, his voice low and rough. “I’m in. For you.”
I smiled, my chest warm, and leaned up, kissing him hard.
Not a quick peck, but a real, steamy kiss, my hands sliding to his neck, pulling him down.
He tensed for a second, then kissed me back, deep and fierce, his hands grabbing my waist, yanking me flush against him.
It was hot, messy, his lips firm and warm, my fingers digging into his hair, tugging him closer.
We broke apart, breathing fast, his forehead pressed to mine.
“Wow,” I said, laughing softly. “You’re good at that.”
“Yeah,” he said, his voice husky, a grin tugging at his mouth. “You too.”
“Bed?” I said, stepping back, my hands lingering on his chest.
“Yeah,” he said, kicking off his shoes. “Come here.”
We climbed in, the sheets cool against my skin, and I curled into him, my head on his chest, his arm wrapping around me tightly. “This okay?” I said, tucking my leg over his, snuggling in.
“Fine,” he said, his hand settling on my back, warm and steady. “Sleep.”
“Thanks,” I said, pressing closer, his heartbeat thumping under my ear. “Night, Darryl.”
“Night,” he said, his voice fading as he pulled me in snug. I drifted off, warm and safe, the wedding plans swirling in my head. Busy days behind me, and this, fake or not, felt good.