"Deal," Ashley said, managing a wobbly smile."Though I'm not sure how much help I'll be.Who decided Maslow's hierarchy needed these many layers?And why does everything circle back to Freud?"
"Because Freud thought everything circled back to-" Marie started.
"Don't say it!"Sarah threw a highlighter at her."I've heard enough about Freud's theories from Eddie.Did you know physics nerds love psychoanalyzing everything?Like, everything."
"Speaking of analyzing," Marie's eyes gleamed wickedly, "let's talk about your sudden interest in spending summer with said physics nerds."
Sarah's face flamed red."This is about research experience!And grad school applications!And-"
"And Eddie's very blue eyes?"Ashley suggested innocently, grateful for the chance to tease someone else.
"I hate you both," Sarah declared, burying her face in her textbook."See if I help you get that research position now."
"No take-backs," Ashley said quickly."You promised.And I'll...I'll teach you everything about cognitive biases."
"Starting with projection?"Marie ducked as Sarah aimed another highlighter at her head.
"Children," Ashley scolded, fighting a grin."Some of us are trying to study here."
"Says the one who started this whole conversation," Sarah grumbled, but she was smiling too.
They settled back into studying, the room quiet except for the scratch of pencils and occasional frustrated sighs.Ashley stared at her notes, the words finally starting to make sense again.Maybe she could do this - the finals, the summer research, all of it.She had these two idiots in her corner, after all.
"Hey," Sarah said suddenly, not looking up from her physics problems."Whatever happens with the research thing...you know we've got your back, right?"
Ashley's throat tightened."Yeah," she managed."I know."
Marie reached over and squeezed her hand."Even if your taste in men is questionable."
"So questionable," Sarah agreed solemnly.
Ashley laughed, really laughed, for what felt like the first time in days.The sound surprised her - she'd forgotten she could feel this light, even with everything else weighing on her.
"Okay, okay," she waved her textbook like a peace flag."Less judging my life choices, more studying."
She bent over her notes, but her mind kept drifting to the physics building, to Dale's gentle nature and heartwarming smile.Those eyes were almost a perfect replica of her husband's.
Maybe if she understood Dale better, if she’d get close enough, she'd understand what broke in Cole when he died.What turned him from this wild, reckless boy into the man she married?
And maybe, just maybe, if she got close enough, she could stop it from happening at all.
But that was a thought for another day.Right now, she had finals to survive.
CHAPTER10
Ashley had claimed the furthest corner of the library's third floor, her study materials spread across the worn wooden table like a paper hurricane.The ancient desk lamp cast a warm circle of light that made everything beyond its reach fade into comfortable shadows.At 11 PM, this floor was nearly deserted - perfect for someone trying to cram an entire semester of social psychology into their brain.
She'd shed her sweater hours ago, the late spring warmth making even the library's usually cool air feel heavy.Her hair was piled messily on top of her head, held in place by a pencil, and she'd been chewing on her bottom lip so long it was starting to feel raw.
"So this is where you've been hiding."
Ashley's heart stopped.She knew that voice - would know it anywhere - but it wasn't sharp or mocking tonight.It held something else, something that reminded her achingly of her Cole.
He stood at the edge of her light, hands in his pockets, looking unfairly good for someone who should be stressed about finals.His hair was slightly disheveled like he'd been running his fingers through it, and his gray eyes studied her with an intensity that made her skin tingle.
"Not hiding," she managed, proud of how steady her voice sounded."Just studying."
"Dale mentioned you've been asking about physics."He moved closer, and Ashley's breath hitched as he leaned over her shoulder to pick up a flash card.The movement was deliberate, almost predatory, his chest barely brushing her back.Even in the library's dim light, she could see the way his forearms flexed as he turned the card between his fingers, his signet ring catching the lamplight.This close, he smelled like expensive cologne and something darker that made her head spin."Though this looks more like psychology."
