Chapter 12
Ashley
FIFTEEN MINUTES.
That’s all it takes before I’m standing in the bar, watching Magnolia touching Whiskey’s back. He’s not close to her and I can see the tension in his body. With so many people here, and Magnolia’s jerk face cousin, McCarthy, here with his friends, I know he’s being polite and doesn’t ask her to move away.
“Whiskey,” I say and when he turns around, Magnolia does, too.
“Ashley?” She snickers. “What are you doing back here? Couldn’t cut it as a model?”
“Oh, suck it, Magnolia. You know damn well I did and put my mark in the modeling and fashion world.”
“What can I get ya, Miss Ashley?” Kenny, the bartender and owner, says while smiling. “You look like you need something stiff.”
I look at the glass Landon’s holding and know exactly what he’s drinking.
“Another round of Whiskey.” I smile and wink at Landon before looking at Memphis, waiting for him to give me the okay to keep going. “Another round of Whiskey,” I repeat, and this time I’m looking right at Landon.
Kenny nods and gets to it with our drinks.
“So,” Magnolia starts to say, “were you a plus-sized model? I don’t recall seeing you in anything nice. I’m sure the big designers didn’t want you so they suggested you go be a model with those big girls.”
I’ve never punched a girl, but tonight might be an exception.
“This isn’t fat, Magnolia. I have curves and muscle.” I lift my shirt and point to my abs. “See? Tone. Fit. Zero body fat. And yes, the big designers loved me so much they did anything and everything I wanted. I even helped create a new winter line. You’ll love it.”
I finish talking to her and turn to Whiskey. He’s laughing and shaking his head, while taking a drink.
When Kenny sets down our drinks, I slide one to Landon, hand one to Memphis and take the other one. Thank goodness he only served us three and forgot about Magnolia.
“To second chances and another round!” I shout and lift my glass. Both the guys do the same.
After we take the shots, Memphis tries to distract Magnolia by asking her about the upcoming festival and if there’s anything he can do to help her. She eats it up and forgets Landon’s with me. I take the chance and I jump in to get my man back.
“So, Magnolia, huh?” I joke.
“It’s not what you’re thinking, so don’t get started.”
I act coy and flash him an innocent smile. “I’m not thinking anything, babe.” I wink and Kenny hands me a glass of sweet tea. “If she’s what you want then go for it. I approve.”
He huffs and takes a drink of his beer. “You look beautiful,” he mutters.
I don’t miss the lustful tone in his words. Maybe I’ll have to thank Memphis for picking out my favorite jeans and crop top.
“Memphis came over today, but you already know that.”
“I do.”
He turns to look at me and smiles. “I didn’t want you to move out, Ashley.”
“I know, babe. I’m still here and I’m not going anywhere. I have to be fair and give you space.”
“Space,” he repeats and tears his eyes away from me.
The song currently playing ends and a soft melody comes on. Right at that moment, I look at Whiskey and he’s looking back at me. This used to be our song.
“It’s Your Love” by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill was playing when he first kissed me. We proclaimed that song as ours, and somehow it played during the most important stages of our relationship.
“Dance with me,” I tell him instead of asking. When he doesn’t answer, I pull him from the bar and he doesn’t fight me.
We move to the center of the dance floor and I wrap my arms around his waist, holding him tight, and he’s doing the same. It doesn’t take long until we’re moving together like we used to before. Landon pulls me closer and I rest my forehead against his chest, afraid to look up. The emotions are running so deep in my heart and soul that I’m scared once I look at him, they’ll go away.
The song ends and Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood’s song, “Remind Me” plays.
“Being with you right here reminds me how you felt in my arms.” He sucks in a breath and trains his eyes on me. “All I want is for you to understand where I’m coming from. I appreciate the space you’re giving me, but that’s not what I want.”
“Then why didn’t you stop me?”
“Because letting you go now will be easier than later.”
I sigh and cup his face. “I am not leaving, Landon,” I tell him and emphasize each word. “This is my home. You are my home.”
I hear the shuddering sigh and gently pull his head down so our foreheads are touching.
“I’m sorry for coming back into your life like a hurricane. That wasn’t fair for you, so I’m going to take a stand and let you know that you’re my friend. My best friend. You know exactly how I feel and who has my heart. When you’re ready, I’m here for you.”
A slow smile comes on his face. “Don’t go to Memphis’ tonight. Come back with me so we can figure this out.”
“Okay.”
The song ends just as a fast beat song plays and Landon places his hand on the small of my back and leads me out the bar.
***
The week goes by, and since that night of our dance, I’ve been in Landon’s bed and waking up wrapped in his arms. We’re not having sex and keeping things very friendly. Each night when we’re in bed, we talk, really talk, and I tell him about New York City. He listens to everything I’m telling him and asks questions, wanting to know every detail. Then he tells me about his passion for horses and his dream of expanding his rehabilitation farm.
When morning comes, we start the day together and I make him breakfast while he gets the coffee ready. We find our rhythm quickly and neither of us is pushing the other.
This is what it’s like to be friends.
Landon comes back from work and quickly showers before joining me at the kitchen table for dinner. We’re having country-fried chicken with greens and potatoes. His appreciative sounds while eating dinner makes me internally jump for joy.
“I’m sorry to drop this on you, but I need to go to Kentucky tomorrow. Would you like to come with me?”
“Of course!” I eagerly respond. “I’d love to.”
“Okay.” He smiles and continues eating. “We’re driving so it’ll be a long few days.”
“I’m fine with that.”
“Okay.”
The conversation is easy between us and after we’re done eating, Landon pushes me out of the kitchen and cleans since I cooked.
I’m sitting on the couch in the living room when he comes and joins me.
“Are these new?” He points to the designs I’m working on.
“Yes. I have so many ideas and my contacts in New York are excited to see what I’m coming up with.”
“These look great, Ash. You’re so talented.”
I blush at his compliment and hide the wide smile on my face. How is it that this man can make me turn to mush with only a few words?
“You mentioned that you have a winter line?”
“I do. The line’s launching mid-November.”
“And you’ll be in the city?”
“No,” I tell him. “They can do all of that without me. My passion is design and fashion. I don’t need to be there. Well, technically I do, but I always get my way.”
“If you need to go then we can go. I’d love to see New York with you. You can show me the spots that made you smile and we can see a play or walk in Time Square. I can be the annoying tourist and you can be my guide.”
This time I don’t hide my smile. It means so much to me that Landon wants to go to New York and there’s no anger in his voice. He genuinely wants to go.
“We’ll see.” I smile and go back to my designs with him watching.
It’s late when we go to bed, and Landon gets me to talk more about the line and what else I have in store. This sudden interest in what I’m doing scares me, and I’m not sure how to let him know without ruining the mood.
“Why don’t you tell me more about the horses? You’re rehabilitating American Quarters, right?”
“Yes. This trip to Kentucky is to check on some horses for Jeff and possibly purchase a few.”
“It’s amazing what you’ve done for yourself. I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you,” he says and reaches out for my hand. “Good night, Ashley.”
“Good night. Sweet dreams.”
My eyes flutter closed, and when I hear the evenness to his breathing, I open my eyes and watch him like I do every night. There’s still so much to tell him and once I do let him know my secrets, I’m not sure how he’ll react.
And that scares me to death.
Morning comes too quickly and Landon’s out the door by six to do some last minute things.
I don’t get out of bed until close to eight. After taking a shower, I meet Ellie and Ari for breakfast. We catch up on the past few years and I’m so happy to see them living their own happily ever after.
It’s nearly noon when I’m back to Landon’s. I pack our things and triple check our bags to make sure I have everything. We’re leaving in another hour and staying there for a few days. Jeff is supposed to come by before we leave, so he and Landon can go over some things.
I’m zipping our bags when the doorbell gets my attention and I go downstairs to see who it is. When I open the door, Memphis is standing on the porch and I tell him to come inside.
“What’s up?”
“Just came over to check on you. Where’s your phone?”
I check my pocket then go to the kitchen and find it on the counter. “Damn. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. Everything good though?”
“Yes,” I slowly answer. “Why?”
“Landon’s down at Annie’s with Magnolia.”