Page 82 of In Your Wildest Dreams
“Regardless, it’s messy.”
“Life is messy.”
“And then there’s you.”
“Me?” She looks absolutely horrified. “There is nothing going on between me and Ash. I swear to you.”
“No. I know. I believe you. But he’s a big part of your life and if things were to go bad between me and him…”
“You think that if things with you and Ash don’t work out, I’d take his side and stop being friends with you?”
“I wouldn’t even blame you. We’ve only known each other for a short time. You and Ash have history.”
“Okay. I’m not saying that there wouldn’t be some situations that’d be tricky if you two hated each other or something, but I’m not going to stop being friends with you over something like that. You’re stuck with me. I promise, okay?”
I nod and swallow down the lump in my throat. I want to believe her. Everly has been so lovely to me, but I know her connection with Ash is stronger.
She stands and comes over to hug me. “So will you come back with me or are we going to have to organize our bookshelves over FaceTime tonight?”
“I actually should organize my bookshelf.” I glance over at it. It’s full of mostly books I read in middle school and didn’t want to part with. I should probably donate them at this point. “But yes, I will come.”
“Yay.” She jumps up and down in front of me. “Jack’s parties are huge. Ahhh! We’re going to have so much fun.”
* * *
On New Year’s Eve, Everly and I watch the Wildcats game in our living room while getting ready. Grace calls from Hawaii to give us input on our outfits and catch us up on all the fun things she’s been doing on vacation. She comes back tomorrow, and I can’t wait to see her. It’s really nice having friends again.
Every time Ash comes on the screen, my stomach flutters with nerves. Our texting slowed the past few days. After his short Christmas break, the team had two games on the road. Yesterday they were off, but I spent it with Everly shopping for dresses.
I keep telling myself that it’s just a party. He’ll be there, I’ll be there, but so will a bunch of other people, so there’s no reason to get all freaked out like it’s a date.
But when Everly and I walk into the party, that all goes to hell. Ash is standing in the living room. He sees us immediately and his blue eyes widen as he walks over to greet us.
“Fucking hell,” he mutters, stopping in front of me. He slowly brings his stare up to my face. “My heart just stopped for a second. I forgot how gorgeous you are. Damn, it’s good to see you.”
He wraps me in a quick hug, then pulls back and continues to look at me in disbelief.
“Congrats on the game.” Everly breaks the tension while holding back a laugh at Ash’s stunned stare still on me.
He clears his throat and then steps over to hug her too. “Thanks, Little Sharpie.”
“Who needs a drink?” Everly asks.
Ash’s gaze flicks to me and he blows out a breath that makes his cheeks puff out. “Can I have a second with Bridget?”
The smile Everly was fighting stretches across her face. “Yeah. I see Ty. I’m going to congratulate him and then pick out a cute boy to kiss at midnight.”
“Gonna pretend I didn’t hear that last part,” Ash says with one brow quirked.
“Oh, please. I kiss boys. Get over it.” Ev waves her fingers at me and then disappears into the crowd of people standing around Jack’s living room.
The atmosphere between me and Ash shifts as soon as we’re alone. I’m a bundle of nerves. I twist the ring on my first finger around and around.
He looks too good to be real in jeans and a black sweater. His hair is still slightly damp and he has on cologne that is warm and spicy.
I like him. I’ve always been attracted to him, but the texting over break made me realize it’s more than just a crush on a super-hot guy. He makes me feel excited and hopeful in a way that I haven’t been since Gabe, and wasn’t sure I’d ever feel again.
Maybe he was right. It doesn’t have to be complicated. We can hang out and kiss and keep things casual. I could use some no strings attached fun. And this way there’s nothing to get back to Gabe and no reason that it’ll be weird between me and Everly when it’s over. We’ll be like him and Grace. They had a moment, or an almost moment, and they can be around each other with no problem.
