Page 46 of The Baxters
Into the captivating eyes of Landon Blake.
She wanted to ask him a million questions, starting with this one: Why was he here? What was he hoping would happen? But the questions fell flat in the warmth of his gaze. She dropped her look to her pale-pink heels.
Inches away or across the room, Landon had that effect on her. He took her breath, even when she was positive she would never date him again. Then, before she could stop herself, she looked at him again. The corners of his mouth lifted.
That same hint of a grin that had belonged to her alone for half her life. Ashley returned the smile before she could remind herself of the truth. Landon wasn’t an option. Not tonight.
Not ever.
Ashley avoided him for the remainder of the ceremony and as Kari and Tim were introduced as husband and wife. She didn’t look at Landon or find herself anywhere near him while the guests left the chapel and headed next door to the reception hall.
For the next half hour, Ashley made sure the floral centerpieces were just right in the dining area, and that the cake display also had the correct flowers scattered around it.
After that Kari and Tim and the bridal party were introduced to the guests and they found their seats and ate dinner. All that time Ashley steered clear of Landon. She would not allow herself to be Cinderella tonight. Prince Charming would have to find someone else. Especially once the dancing started.
Besides, she meant what she had promised herself earlier. If Landon tried to break down her defenses, she would go home. She could help her family get ready for the after-party but she wouldn’t stay here. Across the room, her mother’s friend Elaine still had Cole. The plan was for Elaine to watch him throughout the wedding and reception.
So Ashley could play her role as maid of honor.
As she finished eating at the head table with the other bridesmaids and groomsmen, Ashley kept an eye on Cole. In case she needed to take him from Elaine. For that matter, maybe she should take her son home early, so he could get a good night’s sleep. These thoughts were going through her head as the band began to play. Kari and Tim danced first, of course, and then they invited their parents to the floor. The bridal party came next.
Ashley had no one specific to dance with. Most of the groomsmen were Tim’s friends, married and already dancing with their wives—all except her brother, Luke. And he wasn’t talking to Ashley.
She stood near the center of the floor while everyone around her found a partner. Even Erin seemed to have connected with a friend of Tim’s. Ashley felt her heartbeat hard in her chest. What was she doing? This was embarrassing. A quick turn and she headed back to the table. But before she reached it, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“May I?”
Ashley would know his voice anywhere. She blinked slowly and turned around. And suddenly she was at prom again and he was her date and in all the world Ashley couldn’t think of a happier girl.
“Landon.” She froze, and her eyes became lost in his. “I… I should go watch Cole.”
“He’s good.” Landon smiled. “I checked on him first. Elaine says everything’s fine.” He held his hands out to her. “Dance with me, Ash. Please.”
Nothing she could’ve done would’ve given her the strength to say no to him. Not when all she wanted was to feel his arms around her, to sway and twirl and move to the music while he led her across the dance floor.
She nodded, and every promise she’d made to herself disappeared. “Okay.”
And like that they were in their own world. She slid her arms loose around his neck and he put his around her waist. They shared no fancy waltz-type moves, no spins or dips. Rather, this dance was just the two of them, swaying to the music, trying to remember they weren’t still eighteen and in love.
The whole time the band played, through the first verse and chorus, Landon looked at her. Wouldn’t glance away for a single moment. His eyes found their way through her, to the deepest parts of her. Like he hadnever stopped loving her. His hands on her back, his breath on her cheek. The familiar smell of his cologne.
Don’t let go, Landon. Don’t ever let go.Her traitorous heart couldn’t get enough. No matter what she had told herself about this night in the weeks leading up to Kari’s wedding, Ashley had just one thought now. She didn’t want the music to ever end.
Halfway through the song, Landon whispered close to her face. “Why do you keep running, Ash?”
She held on to him a little tighter. Because if this was the last time she was ever in Landon Blake’s arms she wanted to make the most of it. Her face tilted up to his. “I’m sorry.”
He put one hand along her cheek. The way he used to do before he kissed her. With the slightest movement, he shook his head. “You don’t have to be sorry. Just… stop. Stop running.” His face brushed against hers as the music played. “We can have this again. Don’t you see?”
How could she tell him he was wrong? That they could never be together. She had changed and besides, if he knew Cole’s dad was a married man he wouldn’t want her. Was that what it would take to get him to move on? Did she finally have to tell him?
Ashley let her head fall to his chest. When she looked up, she could feel tears gathering in her eyes. “We can’t, Landon. It’s over.” This time she put her hand on his face, she worked her fingertips into his hair. “It is.”
Darkness shrouded his eyes, a mix of hurt and anger. “You’re wrong.” He looked like he might kiss her.
Which he absolutely couldn’t do. Ashley would be his all over again if he did. And for this single moment it would be heaven—for both of them. But heartache would soon follow.
He caught a single tear as it slid down her face. “Why the fight?” His voice was warm with love, the darkness in his expression from a few seconds ago, gone. He ran his thumb along her cheek, his touch like silk. “No one will ever love you the way I do, Ash. Never.”
