“Yeah, that must have been great,” Ash realized out loud.
“It’s wonderful to have an ice cream shop in the family,” Allie agreed. “You get to taste test all the new flavors.And you always have someplace to go if you’re feeling sad.”
Ash glanced down at her, feeling a pang at the thought that the sunny young woman beside him had ever been sad enough to drown her sorrows in ice cream.
“Now what?” Maya asked, looking up at her dad.
“Let’s ask Allie,” Ash said. “She’s the expert here.”
“Well, there’s not much official happening here until sunset,” Allie explained. “So, a little lunch and some time to relax might be a good idea.”
“Are you too full of ice cream for lunch?” Ash asked Maya.
She shook her head.
“The diner on the corner?” he asked Allie.
“Perfect choice,” she said, practically beaming.
Maya grabbed Allie’s hand and then her father’s, and they all headed down the street.
This is the fantasy,Ash thought to himself.But it could be real.I just have to convince Allie.
And from the look on her face as they stepped into the diner together like a perfect little family, it might not be that hard.
18
ALLIE
Allie stood on the pavilion, warming up with the rest of the choir as the sun set that evening.
It had been a beautiful day full of new surprises, old traditions, friends, family, and most of all, Maya and Ash.
Now that the sunset was casting the snowy park in rose and golden hues, it was hard not to look back at the last two weeks and the possible path that seemed to be open before her.
She smiled as she thought about sitting at the diner and reading the menu with Maya. With the engagement ring twinkling on her finger, people she had known since childhood had been smiling at her like they were all in on a happy secret while Ash sat opposite her, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Allie’s feelings about Maya were uncomplicated.
The little girl was so filled with kindness, joy, and curiosity. She struggled with her energy and focus, butAllie understood that feeling completely and knew just how to support her, which seemed almost like fate.
She wanted nothing more than to share her life with Maya forever, to love her and enjoy her and see her grow up to be the amazing woman she would one day be.
But were her feelings for Maya a good enough reason to get serious with Ash?
She looked out over the sweet little town she had always loved and saw him standing hand in hand with Maya, the two of them chatting excitedly as they looked up at the big tree.
Ash was the total package—handsome, driven, and clearly very interested in Allie. Honestly, when she imagined finding the right guy someday, she had never been so bold as to think she would wind up with a man who owned a business or looked like an athlete. She figured she would fall in love with a farmer, or maybe someone who worked at one of the small businesses in town.
Ash was respectful and kind too, and he was hitting it off so well with her family.
But something was still holding her back.
Ash had told her he wanted to get to know her better. But what if Tripp was right? What if that only meant he wanted something more out of this fake relationship, something she wasn’t willing to give?
Why don’t I feel those flutters?
“You okay?” Becca asked, sidling up to her.
