“Really?Why?”Sage asked.
“Because Hannah happened,” Ashlyn said, as if that explained everything.
Sage rolled her eyes.
Ashlyn focused on me.“Hannah is Josh’s ex-wife.She married this rich guy and has a big house and was supposed to host the graduation party for Evie, but told Josh last week she couldn’t and he has to.She had all this stuff already set up, and is forcing it all on him.”
“Sounds like Hannah,” Sage said.
“She’s a real piece of work,” Ashlyn said.
I listened, digesting all the information they shared.I hadn’t told Ashlyn about my mornings with Josh so she didn’t know I knew some of what she was saying, but I didn’t want her to stop.
“I don’t know why he puts up with so much from her,” Ashlyn finally said.
“Probably for Evie.He adores that kid.He’d do anything for her.Including let Hannah walk all over him.”Sage sighed.
“I can’t blame him for that,” Ashlyn said.“He’s a great dad.”
“Yes, he is.And not too bad to look at,” Sage said with a wink.
Ashlyn nodded.“Very true.”
My gut churned at their tones.“Have either of you ever dated him?”
Ashlyn snorted, and Sage laughed outright.
“Josh doesn’t really date,” Ashlyn said.“I mean, I’d guess he does some, but not much.Plus, dating my next door neighbor could get awkward in a hurry.”
“He keeps to himself.He spends time with Evie, with his close friends, and at work.Maybe with Evie graduating, he’ll date more, but he’s not my type,” Sage said.
“Why not?”I asked before I could stop myself.
Sage shrugged.“He’s attractive, but he doesn’t do anything for me.No tingles, no stirring in my panties.Just nice to look at.”
I choked on a laugh at her description, thinking I was the exact opposite.
“What she said,” Ashlyn agreed.“He’s nice to look at, but that’s about it.Although his protective instincts are kind of hot.”
“Protective instincts?”Sage asked.
Ashlyn nodded to me.“The first day Reegan was here, he yelled at her because she was on the dock.He thought she was a random person, and Evie was home.”
“So you understand.He’s nice to look at, but…” Sage trailed off and shrugged.
I didn’t contradict her even though just the thought of Josh had me tingling and stirring in my panties.But I didn’t intend to tell either of them about that.
Thankfully, they changed the subject and talked about other graduation parties they were invited to.It sounded as if everyone in town was invited to all the parties.
Like a community.Like a family.Like what I’d been missing.
Eight
The next weekand a half passed in a hurry.I sat outside in the mornings a few days, but Josh never showed when I was there.To say I was disappointed would be ridiculous.We didn’t really know each other.He had a daughter to worry about and a party to host.And I was keeping myself busy spending time with Ashlyn.It was why I was in Amethyst Bay, so I really couldn’t complain that my sexy potential summer fling wasn’t working out.
The day the tent was scheduled to arrive, Ashlyn warned me not to leave the house.“Just in case Hannah comes to oversee things.Josh said she might.”
I agreed, then promised myself I would absolutely not spy on Josh’s ex-wife.
