Ashley.
I’m not sure if it’s because of the wedding, but she’s been on my mind a lot lately. More specifically, the night it all went down between us. I’ve probably rehashed the whole scenario a thousand times over in my head. I could’ve handled things differently, better for sure.
This little reunion of ours in less than five minutes is bound to be awkward.
After I grab my bags, Ester and I walk toward the front porch. She doesn’t bother to knock, just swings the front door open and strolls right in.
I follow, my gut churning now that I’m in Ashley’s space. The house has a cozy vibe. There’s a large living area to my right where a fire burns in the hearth, then a dining room beyond that with a long table. To my left is a library and another sitting room. The entire house exudes holiday warmth and charm from the garland along the hearth and doorframes to the gorgeous, flocked Christmas tree in the corner by the window.
“This time of day, she’s probably in the kitchen preparing dinner. Come on.” Ester marches toward the back of the house, and I wheel my luggage through, following like a well-behaved toddler.
As we grow closer to the kitchen, Ashley’s voice rings out. “That’s it right there.”
A male grunt sounds, and I stop in my tracks, my luggage banging into my thighs from the abrupt stop.
“Just a little bit to the left,” Ashley says.
Another grunt from the male.
“Perfect, that’s perfect!”
Ester stops to turn and look at me. “Why did you stop?”
“Are you sure we should…” I point ahead of us toward the hallway.
It sounds as though Ashley’s doing more than preparing dinner. I ignore the way my stomach feels leaden from the thought of her in there with someone else.
Ester’s gray eyebrows crinkle before she shakes her head and continues forward. I guess I’m the only one who heard Ashley’s instructions to her grunting male companion. She disappears around the corner, and when she doesn’t cry out in dismay, I figure it must be safe to follow.
Following, I’m thankful to not find Ashley half naked on the counter, with a pants-less male grinding into her over and over. Instead, it’s her and an older man half-dressed like Santa Claus trying to move the fridge back into place.
“What happened?” Ester asks.
Ashley turns and looks at us. Her eyes light up when she sees Ester, but when she notices me right behind her, her smile falls. She doesn’t even give me a nod of acknowledgment. “My fridge crapped out. We pulled it out of its spot to see if we could figure out the problem.”
“Do you even know how to fix it?” The words are out of my mouth before I have time to consider how Ashley will receive them.
She whips her head toward me and narrows her eyes. There’s the Ashley I’m familiar with. “I figured if it was leaking something out the back, that would be a pretty obvious sign of what was wrong.”
I raise both hands in a placating gesture that doesn’t lighten the anger brimming in her eyes.
“One more push and that should do it,” she says to Santa.
Santa’s eyes widen, and the redness and sweat along his face say he’s at about max capacity for physical exertion.
“Wait, wait. Let me help you.” I step forward, unwilling to sit by and watch this old guy and Ashley struggle to move the fridge back into place.
“We don’t need your help, Carter.” Ashley’s tone is sharp as a blade.
Santa heaves a breath and gives Ashley an apologetic expression. “Actually… I might have tweaked something in my back. Do you mind taking over for me? I’m gonna go have a hot shower.”
“Of course. I appreciate your help.” She puts her hand on his arm. “Let me know if you want a heating pad or anything later, okay?”
Santa nods and heads out of the room.
I put my hands on the fridge and press my body to the metal. “All right, on three. One, two?—”
She shoves on two because… of course she does.
