Page 29 of Savannah Sweethearts

My phone rang as I finished getting ready for work. My mother’s name appeared on the screen. With a roll of my eyes, I answered. “Good morning, Mother.”

“Did you just wake up? You don’t sound very enthusiastic.” Neither did she, but that was beside the point. “We haven’t spoken since that boy came and tried to blackmail your father. Let’s clear the air, Ashley.”

Tying my sneakers, I put the phone on the coffee table and put my mother on speaker. “You’re right. Let’s clear a few things. First, Tyrell is no longer a boy. He’s thirty. He’s a man and deserves to be treated as one.” I took a fortifying breath. “Second, Daddy tried to pay him off to stop seeing me. That is a horrid, horrid thing to do. There is no blackmail. Tyrell did not ask for anything, nor did he air the very clear evidence he has against Daddy.”

Before my mother could come up with a retort, I continued, “And another thing—I will no longer be accepting the allowance you and Daddy dole out every month. I have a job; I have good investments; and I own a decent share of Gloss Enterprises. I don’t need your money or your control. Unless you are willing to accept me for me—and that includes Tyrell and his girls—you can hang up now.”

Silence. For a brief moment, I thought my mother had actually hung up, but then I could hear her breathing. With a shaky voice, she finally spoke. “You’re right. You are a grown woman, and you can make your own decisions. I think…I need some time to think. I’ll call you soon.”

With that, she hung up. I laid back on my bed and took a deep breath, letting the tiny tear that formed escape into my hair. If nothing else, I had stood up for myself, and that was something. Hopefully, my parents would see the error of their ways.

If for some reason they didn’t, I had a family. I had Mrs. Harris and Tyrell. I had the girls. And I was fairly certain Tanner wouldn’t give up on me. Even though we struggled, he seemed accepting of Tyrell. In fact… I pulled out my phone again and texted.

Ashley: Tanner, why don’t you and Morgan bring Jonny and meet us for dinner tonight?

A reply only took a few moments.

Tanner: Us?

Ashley: Me, Tyrell, and the girls.

Tanner: Where?

Ashley: Luck’s?

Tanner: That greasy spoon is still standing? Let me check with Morgan.

Ashley: Please, Tanner. It would mean a lot.

My phone went silent, and I hoped my brother was actually checking with Morgan. I got in the car and made my way to the preschool. As I got out of the car, my phone alerted me to a text.

Tanner: We’re in. Six o’clock?

Ashley: See you there.

A huge smile broke out on my face, and I quickly fired off a text to Tyrell telling him about the plans. He responded when he dropped the girls off, cautiously saying it sounded good.

Wary was a good word to use as we all convened that night at Luck’s. It was fairly busy, and we just blended into the crowd. Morgan looked a little grossed out by the well-worn décor and tables, but she would get over it. Tyrell and Tanner shook hands as we met, and I gave them both a cautious smile.

My sweet Jonny launched himself from his father’s arms to mine upon seeing me, and he blew a raspberry on my cheek.

“Ashley, who is he?” Sami’s giant eyes took in Jonny. He was in the place she liked to occupy herself.

“This is my nephew, Jonny. I babysit him a lot, and we have a lot of fun.” I knelt down so they could be eye to eye. “Can you say hi to him?”

There was a small amount of stink eye going from Sami to Jonny, but she greeted him cautiously. Saffi, on the other hand, immediately began to coo at him and play peek-a-boo.

At the table, we put the girls and Jonny on one side and the adults on the other. Tanner and I sat side by side, buffering our partners. Morgan wasn’t too happy to be in a dive, and Tyrell wasn’t too sure about Tanner’s sincerity. While we eyed each other with suspicion, the kids were happily playing peek-a-boo and giggling uncontrollably.

“What prompted this night out, Ash?” Tanner never was one to beat around the bush.

The rhythm of my heart picked up, and I licked my lips. “You haven’t seen Tyrell since we were kids, and I wanted you two to meet again. On my terms. And since I think he and the girls will be a big part of my life from here on out, I wanted your family to meet my new family.”

Under the table, Tyrell gripped my hand and squeezed it tightly. I squeezed back.

Morgan clutched her hands to her chest. Whether she was actually touched or just putting on a show, I wasn’t sure, but I could only hope her display was sincere. “So, are you two engaged? I don’t see a diamond.”

I shook my head. “We’re not. At least, not yet. We’re not rushing things. But this man and these little girls are my future, and I need someone in my family to see that and realize it’s a good thing.” Tears shone in my eyes, and I willed them to stay put. “Tanner? Please.”

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