Page 256 of Sweet Temptation

“You mean everyone missed out.”

“Sure. Look, the only reason I’m telling you now is because tonight will be the first time you’re seeing us since the wedding, and she’ll be wearing her ring, and so will I, and everyone’s gonna know. And Xander just invited himself over here for pre-party drinks, which means him and Courteney are gonna know in about half an hour, and Matt’s coming, too. So just be honored I called to tell you first.”

“No, you are lucky you told me first, because I would kick your ass if I had to find out at the back of the line behind everyone else.”

“Okay, how are you making this about you?”

I groaned. I locked eyes with Ronan, who was breathing down my neck trying to listen in on this. “Ashley, I’m sorry. I am so incredibly happy for you. I am really, really trying to get past the fact that you just dropped this on me over the phone, and I didn’t get to wear a fabulous dress and toast you guys.”

“Okay…”

“But don’t worry, I’ll do that tonight.”

“I know. And babe, if anyone was coming to the wedding, I would’ve invited you.”

I smiled. “Tell Danica I’m so happy for you guys, and I can’t wait to give you both squishy hugs.”

“Okay. We’ll see you tonight. I gotta go.”

I heard Danica calling to him in the background, and my eyes suddenly welled up. “Shit, I love you guys.” It was all hitting me—right in the heart.

Ash and Danica. Married.

Ash had married his girl.

I knew he loved her. Was crazy about her.

But I didn’t see this coming.

Of course, I’d been pretty wrapped up in my own romance lately…

I looked at Ronan as Ash said, “We love you too, Summer.” I could practically hear his eyes roll.

“See you.” I hung up before I started legit crying or something.

Ronan traced his fingertips down the side of my face. “What happened?” he asked, though I was pretty sure he must’ve heard at least some of that. He was standing so close.

“Ashley and Danica got married.”

He studied my face. “Is that not a good thing?”

“Yeah, it’s good. Oh my God.” I was still trying to absorb this… “Is Ash finally getting his happy ending?”

“I don’t follow.”

I sighed and put the phone down. “Remind me one day to tell you the long and sordid story of Ashley Player and all his broken hearts.”

“Okay…”

“It starts waaay back, with his mom.”

Sympathy softened Ronan’s features. “Ah.”

I blinked a little, my eyes stinging. “He deserves this, Ronan. If anyone deserves this, it’s him.”

He slipped his hands around my waist and tugged me against him gently.

“You’re a good friend, Summer Sorensen.”

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