Page 78 of Stick Play

“Can I open it now, Ash?”

“You better hurry up. Pancakes with extra lumps are coming right up.”

“We have to be careful, Mommy. It could break.” Zoe carefully opens the bag and pulls out her present first.

“That one’s for you?”

She examines the picture of the colored stones on the blue box, her brows furrowed and I get it. I’m not sure any young girl has ever received a box of stones before. It’s probably confusing.

“Open it up,” I tell her. She lifts the lid, to find a black velvet bag inside. “Tug on the string.”

She does as I ask and pours the stones into her hands. I drop next to her to explain, all the while avoiding Gina’s gaze. I really fucking hope she’s not mad.

“You see these?” She nods as she examines them. I pick up a stone and run my finger along the white band. I take her little finger and do the same with it. “This is a wishing stone, Zoe. You hold one of these in your hand and you make a wish.” She frowns and my heart sinks. She hates her gift. But then, her eyes go wide and she takes the stone from me, holding it on her palm.

“I can use this instead of lump wishes?”

I nod. “Yes.”

A wide smile splits her face and she throws her arms around me. “Oh, thank you, Ash. I love these stones.” She settles back in her chair and puts her hand on her stomach. “I’ve been getting tummy aches from all the lumps in my pancakes.”

We all burst out laughing, and I let my gaze stray to Gina, who’s looking at me with such warmth and gratitude, I know I didn’t make a mistake here.

“I thought that might be the case.”

“This is the bestest present ever. Grandpa, can I have a pancake without lumps.”

“You got it, chicken nugget.”

“I’ll eat that one, Dad.”

“Oh, you wishing for something, son?”

“I don’t like food spoilage,” I tell him. But that’s not the entire truth, because yes, I’m wishing for something too.

25

Gina

Here it is, Monday again, later in the afternoon. It’s been a little over a week since I’ve been wearing this gorgeous dolphin necklace Ash brought back for me, and I still can’t seem to stop playing with it. I also can’t seem to stop smiling. Honestly, this was such a thoughtful gift, and those wishing stones…

At first I was mortified that he would give Zoe a gift like that. They felt far more real and maybe even more powerful than wishing lumps in pancakes. However, the fact that Ash got them for her said more than words ever could. He wants for her wishes to come true. Heck, I do too. While Ash and I haven’t come right out and said as much, things were said when we made love that night he came home from Florida. Things that lead me to believe we do have a future together.

Of course, Callie tried to come between us, stealing his phone number and calling him incessantly until he finally called her back—because he was worried about me. She’s back in California now, and fortunately she’s no longer calling him. There’s a chance she could have come between us with her antics. The old Gina might not have believed Ash and might have questioned his explanation. That old Gina was hurt and jaded and trusted no one. Ash, however, hasn’t done anything to prove he’s not trustworthy.

Carla comes into the kitchen from the dining area, just as I pick up the order Andre just finished preparing. “Things are picking up out there.”

I nod, pick up the plates and head into the dining area to serve them to a couple of retired regulars. Devon picks up his fork, hunger in his eyes as I set his plate in front of him. Since he always talks about the weather, I’m not surprised when he says, “I hear another storm is on its way.”

“I’ll be glad when spring comes,” his regular lunch partner Webster grumbles.

I glance out onto the sidewalk and note the dark clouds. Nothing, not even the cold wet weather can wipe the smile from my face. But you know what can? The man standing on the sidewalk, staring straight at me. The hairs on the back of my neck tingle, and honest to God, I haven’t felt like anyone was watching me since Ash returned home last weekend. Not much has been said on social media since that incident after the game, but that doesn’t mean someone isn’t looking for dirt. Once again, my gut tells me this is about something else.

I’m about to march right outside and ask the guy what he wants, only to stop when a gorgeous woman, who doesn’t look to be that much older than me, and two teenagers who I assume are her sons, step up to him. My steps slow as he turns to them, and they greet him with a smile.

Perhaps he’s her husband and this is all clearly my overworked imagination.

I make my way back to the kitchen and pick up my phone to find a message from Ash. He finished up practice a while ago and is helping his dad with a car at Dodge’s garage. His second message suggests we all stay at my place tonight because of the bad weather coming in. We’ve been spending our time together at both places, and I haven’t needed Margot to babysit, because Grant insists on being here for Zoe after school, whether I’m working or not. I think that’s rather cute.

---