Page 100 of Loud Unspoken Memories

I quit protesting. Because even though he’s not here, I feel closer to him.

“It’s the weekend,” I say. “The place will probably be closed.” I look down at the coat and feel a sudden pang of loss knowing just how much I wanted to see its owner no matter how unlikely it is that he’d be here. “We can just leave it by the door with a note.”

As the car approaches the front and several large buildings come into view, I’m hit with disappointment upon seeing the empty parking lot.

I’m not sure what Asher thought he was going to accomplish by making this detour. But my guess is it has nothing to do with returning the coat.

Asher parks right next to the entrance, not even bothering to pull into a spot.

I ask, “Did you even like him?”

He laughs half-heartedly. “I didn’t expect to. In fact, I expected to hate him. But the truth is, I did. Which is all kinds of crazy despite some crap he said. But the guy is oddly charming.”

“Tell me about it.” I narrow my eyes. “Whatcrapdid he say?”

“It’s not important.”

“Asher, you don’t have to protect me. I’m a big girl.”

I’m startled by a knock on the window and I whirl around in my seat to see a beautiful woman. When I recognize her from the picture on Dallas’s phone, I quickly roll down the window.

“Can I help you?” she asks, pulling a sweater tightly around her. “Are you lost?”

My heart pounds for no explicable reason. It’s not him, after all. “I’m Marti.”

Her eyes double in size and a huge smile splits her face. “Oh my gosh. Fantastic! What are you doing in there? Get out here soI can give you a proper hug.” I open the door and slip out. She wastes no time squeezing me. Hard. “I’m so glad you came.”

Confusion sets in. “Um…” I reach back inside and get the coat. “I just needed to return this. We’re on our way back to Florida.”

Nowshe’sthe one who looks confused. “You aren’t here for Lucas’s party?”

“The party.” I pretty much deflate on the spot. “I’d forgotten all about it. No. We were just passing by Calloway Creek on I-95 and took a detour.” I offer her the coat. “Cheaper than sending it.”

She pushes it back at me. “It’s cold, Marti. You should be wearing it. And as long as you’re here, you should definitely come to the party. We had a wine tasting today.” She jiggles a set of keys. “I was just getting ready to go home and change for the party when I saw you drive up.” She stops talking and looks around me into the car.

“Sorry,” I say. “I didn’t mean to be rude. Allie, this is my brother, Asher Anderson.”

Allie’s face lights up a second time. She all but hops into the front seat, stretching out her arm. “Asher Anderson,” she muses as she puts her hand into his. “Sounds very presidential.”

He laughs. “Nice to meet you, Allie Montana.”

I raise a brow, noticing a slight change in his voice. It’s sturdier. More masculine. My eyes bounce back and forth between them when I realize they haven’t let go of each other’s hands. She giggles, practically preening, and my brother’s eyes are laser focused on her. “You should come too, Asher. And Charlie.” Her gaze finally breaks from his and she looks at my sleeping son in the back seat. “Damn he’s cute.”

Finally, after far too long a handshake, she pulls away and backs out of the front seat.

“What do you say?” she asks me. “Will you come?”

“No.” I shake my head vehemently. “No way.”

Her hands land on her hips. I take it she’s a woman who’s used to getting what she wants.

“For one, we don’t even know Lucas. And then there’s the fact that Dallas will be there. That would probably be a bit too awkward.”

“My brother is a complete idiot. He needs a nudge is all. Maybe this party is just the thing to—” Allie’s phone rings. “Excuse me for a sec.” She retrieves it from her pocket. “Well, speak of the devil.” She swipes her finger across the screen as my heartbeat accelerates. “Hey, Dallas. You’ll never guess who’s standing in front of me right now.”

I step forward and get her attention, waving a hand wildly then doing the cutthroat sign.

“It’s um… um… Mia’s brother, Dax. He wants an invite to the party. Think I should extend one?”

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