I'll be there! Send me the link to tickets when you can.
Me:
I will!
I added a heart after those two short words.
I didn't hear back from Ash for long enough that I went on doing other things. I was making myself some French toast for lunch when I got a text back from him. I had just stirred the egg mixture, and I paused to read the text before I dipped the bread and started to fry it. I temporarily moved the frying pan off of the burner as I looked down to read his text.
Ash:
Have you eaten lunch?
Me:
No. Why?
I didn't add that I was already in the middle of cooking, because I wanted to see him. But then I remembered that I shouldn't let myself get butterflies in my stomach over Ash. I typed an honest addition to my text once I thought of that.
Me:
I was about to fix myself some French toast.
I sent it, feeling better about being honest.
Ash:
Do you feel like making me some?
Me:
Sure. Are you coming over?
Ash:
Yes. Send me your address.
I did. I texted him my address, feeling even more flustered and affected by the news that he was coming over than I hadwhen I saw the cast list. The morning had been full of all sorts of feelings.
Ash:
I'll be there in fifteen minutes.
Chapter 5
I texted Ash back and told him fifteen minutes would work great. I turned off the burner, left the food where it was, and took off jogging through the kitchen, living room, and into my bedroom.
Quickly, I changed clothes. I still wore comfortable pants and a t-shirt, but I made myself more presentable, making sure I applied a second layer of deodorant and checked my teeth, nose, and hair. I made quick work of freshening up, and I gave myself a thorough once over before running back into the living room, where I stashed a few items that were strewn about. Then I made my way back to the kitchen, where I put away a few dishes, wiped the counters and sink, and then washed my hands before going back to the stove.
So many thoughts flooded my mind, but mostly I was excited to see Ash again. I felt overjoyed by the fact that he was coming over to my house. We had spent a fair amount of time together last summer, but it was always on set at the ranch. He had never come to my house. I had never even seen him in Billings—not until the other night at the Italian restaurant. I never dreamed he would casually invite himself over when I texted him today. I tried to tell myself not to be nervous.
I went back to work on the food, going to my default comfort zone, which was standing at a stove. I had bought Luna some fresh raspberries because they were her favorite. I wasn'tplanning on using them in my meal, but I had to boost it up once I knew I was cooking for two. I took care frying the toast, and by the time he knocked on my door, I had two beautiful plates with raspberries, whipped cream, and a dusting of powdered sugar. There was bacon as well. The plates looked like they took way more effort than they did, and I said as much when I opened the door.
"Hey, perfect timing, I just made plates, and they're prettier than I meant them to be." I opened my door, standing back and gesturing for him to come inside.
"What's that mean? Oh, snap, Audrey, it smells so good in here. What in the world did you cook?"
He was being casual, but seeing him come through my door gave me all sorts of fluttering feelings in my body. He was dressed in work clothes, jeans, and lace-up boots with a canvas jacket. He had no doubt been working. His long hair was pulled back into a glorious messy knot on the back of his head. He was utterly masculine in his work clothes, and yet I had seen him sit down and sing and play guitar with such grace and tenderness. I knew he had a delicate touch when he wanted to, and I got carried away in the memories of being with him back at the ranch. I had felt his hands on my skin, and I felt flush and overwhelmed when I remembered the way he had—
