I don’t know how, but I always forget how much it hurts when I see her for the first time after not seeing her for a while.Every time she looks a little bit older and more like our mom. It’s almost unsettling.
“It’s been too long, Ash,” she murmurs, reading my thoughts.
“It has been,Ash,” I joke.
We always used to pick on one another because our shortened names were the same. It feels good to do it again.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Aspen shift on her heels.
“Sis, I’d like you to meet someone. Aspen, this is my sister, Ashley. Sis, this is my girlfriend, Aspen.”
Aspen sucks in a breath when I call her my girlfriend, and my sister’s head whips back toward me, eyes wide.
Does she recognize Aspen’s name? Has she put two and two together why I’m with Mountain River instead of the bureau?
“Girlfriend?” my sister asks.
“Girlfriend,” I confirm.
My sister smiles and turns back toward Aspen and pulls her into a hug.
“It’s lovely to meet you, but girl, we need to talk. Your taste in men is…” my sister teases.
At first, Aspen is tense, but I watch as she slowly relaxes and returns my sister’s hug.
“My taste in men is amazing,” Aspen tells her.
“Eh, it could use some work. Trust me, I used to live with the guy, and I did share a womb with him for nine months,” Ashley teases as she pulls away. “Come on. Let’s head inside before we give the neighbors something to talk about.”
At the mention of her neighbors, I can’t help but scan the street. Only two houses have cars in the driveways. There is a lady standing in front of her screen door, waiting for the approaching delivery driver. Otherwise, it’s quiet, which is one of the reasons I encouraged my sister to buy this place.
“You two are twins?” Aspen asks with awe in her voice.
“Yep. Built in best friend since birth,” Ashley tells her.
We follow my sister inside.
“This place is adorable,” Aspen tells her as I shut the door.
“Thanks. I’ve lived here for a few years, but it’s really starting to feel like mine,” Ashley says.
“You painted the front door since the last time I was here,” I add.
Ashley nods. “Yeah, I’ve decided I’m going to start painting it to match the season or holiday. Sit down, make yourselves at home.”
“That sounds like a lot of work,” Aspen says as she sits on the couch.
I move and sit next to her, putting my arm around her shoulders.
My sister smiles as she watches us interacting.
“It is, but I like it. It’s fun. Do you guys want anything to drink?”
“I’m good,” I tell her.
“I’m fine, thank you,” Aspen replies.
Ashley moves and sits in an overstuffed beanbag that she’s acquired since the last time I visited and pulls her blanket into her lap.
