“Let me know how much I owe you.”
Ashlyn snorted.“You don’t owe me anything.I was going to get something for her anyway.You being here makes the day easier for me.I won’t get wrapped up in talking to anyone I don’t want to.Like Hannah.”She nodded to the woman in question, arriving with a man in a suit who looked very out of place in the backyard setting.
“Evie looks just like her,” I whispered.
“Yeah.It always takes me by surprise, too.”Ashlyn smiled and waved to someone.
I turned and saw Josh walking out of his house, waving back.He saw me standing next to Ashlyn, and his mouth tightened into a grimace.He glanced around the yard, catching sight of Hannah and her husband.He closed his eyes and dropped his head, then headed toward them.
I fought the sting at his obvious displeasure that I was there.“I’m already warm.I might have to hide in your air conditioning before too long.”
“I was just thinking the same thing,” Ashlyn said.“Let’s get a drink.”
I turned away from Josh as he greeted his ex-wife and her husband, not caring to watch the weird family reunion.Ashlyn and I grabbed plastic cups and filled them with water from a glass pitcher with cucumbers and lemon floating in the water.A server in a white shirt and black pants smiled at us as we helped ourselves to the drinks, then moved to the appetizer line.
“Do you want to sit?”Ashlyn asked.
I shrugged, not really sure what we were supposed to do.It was a graduation party, but I didn’t know the kid graduating or any of the other people there, so I was going to follow her lead.
We claimed a table on Ashlyn’s side of the tent, leaving the tables close to the food and drinks for Evie’s family and friends.“I think there’s a band coming and yard games.We’ll see how this goes.”
“We’re just here to congratulate Evie.It’ll be fine.”I lifted my hair off the back of my neck, enjoying the cool breeze floating by.“It’s a shame this is the hottest day so far.”
“Right?Oh, Josh is coming over to say hi.”Ashlyn set her drink down and smiled as he approached.“Hey.We saw Evie.She looks beautiful.”
“Thanks, Ashlyn.And thanks again for letting us use your property.Please let me know if there’s anything that’s damaged so I can make sure it’s fixed.”
“All good.”
Ashlyn opened her mouth to say something else, but Josh spoke before she did.“I’m Josh.”He stuck his hand in my face.“We haven’t officially met.But I wanted to apologize in person for yelling at you when you first arrived.”
I shook his hand, hating that I tingled at his touch.If he wanted to act like we didn’t know each other, I would play along, but it stung.“Nice to meet you.And Ashlyn explained.It’s fine.I’ll make sure I stay off your dock.”
His eyes widened just enough for me to know he caught the undertone of anger in my voice.He held onto my hand for another few seconds, then cleared his throat and released me.“You are welcome to use the dock whenever you want.I told Ashlyn that.”
I nodded, forcing a smile.“I wouldn’t want to cross any lines.”
“You’re not.You haven’t.”His voice softened just enough for me to hear the regret in his tone.
I was so confused.What the hell was going on?
He licked his lips, then took a step backward.“I need to say hello to some people, but I hope to speak to you… both of you again.”
Ashlyn waved, smiling as Josh retreated to the other side of the tent.
I waited, knowing she picked up on something.
“I think he meant it, Ree.He told me you could use his dock.He’s a nice guy.”
I nodded, catching sight of Sage crossing the space and pointed her out to Ashlyn.
Ashlyn waved, catching Sage’s attention.
It took Sage a few minutes to make her way to us since half the people wanted to speak to the woman, but she finally made it and sat next to Ashlyn.“Evie is so happy.”
“Right?She’s so cute.Only a month and she’s gone.Hard to believe.”Ashlyn stared across the yard with a wistful smile.
I tuned Ashlyn and Sage out as I watched Josh interact with the guests.Since it was his house, he was taking on the role of host, welcoming everyone to the party and pointing out Evie to all the guests as they arrived.
