He hits dial and watches the road ahead as the phone rings.
The line picks up after a couple of rings.
"“Dylan McKenzie, if you’re calling me before 9 AM, somebody better be dead or proposing.” Ashley's voice is warm but professional— she’s already at work, probably in the middle of something important.
“Ash,” he says quickly, trying to sound casual but failing to hide the nervousness in his tone. “Listen, I need your help.”
There’s a slight pause, and Dylan can almost hear the raised eyebrow through the phone.
“Help? With what? What’s going on?” Ashley’s voice has that sharp edge of a lawyer who’s already prepared for something complicated.
Dylan inhales deeply, steadying himself. “I’m on my way back to Honeyshore.”
Ashley’s initial skepticism is clear in her response. “You just left yesterday Dylan. What’s up?”
Dylan laughs a little, his hands tightening on the wheel. “I know, I know. But I couldn’t stand it, Ash. I’ve got to do this. Shestill has my whole heart. But I’m... I’m nervous. I don’t want to freak her out.”
Ashley’s silence stretches between them for a moment, and then, to his surprise, she sighs, a soft exhale of a breath that shows she’s giving it some thought.
“I’ve seen how much she’s been smiling the last few days, Dylan,” she admits quietly. “I know some of what’s been going on between you two, and… she’s been happier. I’ll help you, but you’ve got to be careful. If you show up at her office like a dramatic rom-com scene, she’ll lose it. She won’t handle it well. Trust me.”
Dylan’s stomach does a flip at her words. He’s not trying to be dramatic, but heistrying to be bold. “Right, okay no office… so, what do you think?”
Ashley doesn’t hesitate. “Let’s ease into it. You check into your hotel in Honeyshore, and then I’ll meet you at Kroger. We’ll get everything you need to make her dinner. It’ll be casual, and she won’t feel like you’re throwing her a curveball. I’ll make sure we pick out all her favorite stuff, too.”
Dylan nods to himself, even though Ashley can’t see him. It makes sense. He can already picture Ali’s face lighting up at the thought of him cooking for her. “That sounds perfect,” he says, the relief in his voice obvious.
Ashley’s voice softens, a hint of warmth behind her words. “One thing, though. She’s still allergic to papayas. Don’t forget that.”
“Got it,” Dylan says with a chuckle. “No papayas. Thanks, Ash. I really appreciate this,” Dylan says, feeling more at ease as they talk through the details. “I want it to be perfect.”
“No problem,” Ashley replies, her voice now steady and confident. “I’ll stay away from the house tonight. I’ll crash at Brant’s place, give you two some space. I'll give you the code toour door, so you can beat her home. Just make sure you’re not... overwhelming her, okay?”
“I won’t,” Dylan promises, his heart swelling with gratitude. “Thanks again, Ash. I owe you one.”
“No, you owe me like ten,” she teases, but there’s affection in her voice. “But I’ll let you have it for free since I’m 100% Team Dali. Always have been.”
Dylan smiles to himself as he ends the call. His heart races as he gets closer to Honeyshore. This surprise, this dinner— it’s his chance to show Ali everything he’s felt all these years. No more waiting. He’s finally going to make his move.
Labyrinth
Ali
Ali grips the steering wheel tighter as she makes her way home, her eyes flicking to the rearview mirror every few seconds, even though there’s no one behind her. Her mind races— too many thoughts crammed into a single space. She hasn’t heard from Dylan all day. Not a text, not a call. Nothing.
Did I say too much last night? Was I too much?
She gnaws on her bottom lip, trying to push the thought away, but it lingers. She’d been so honest, so raw with him about how she hadn’t been with anyone since him. Her pulse still races at the memory of how vulnerable she felt saying those words out loud. And now, as the day stretches into the late afternoon, she feels the weight of it all— of her feelings for him, of her fear of scaring him away.
She knows she shouldn’t feel this anxious. She’s a grown woman. But it’s Dylan. And for some reason, with him, it always feels different. Like maybe, just maybe, this time could bereal.
But she I be too clingy…
The thought makes her wince. After last night’s phone call, where she’d practically bared her soul and literally let him listen to her pleasuring herself, she doesn't want to come across as needy or desperate. So she hasn’t texted him today. She’d resisted the urge to reach out But now, as the minutes drag on, that familiar anxiety churns in her stomach.
She can’t help herself. She pulls out her phone, unlocking it and scrolling to Ashley’s name.Maybe she’ll know what to do.
Ali hesitates for a moment before hitting send, typing:
