Page 15 of All I've Waited For

They crossed into the part of town designated as the South Village. There wasn’t much foot traffic, but most shops had closed up for the night. A man and his daughter passed them on the sidewalk, forcing Derek to the side for just a second. As he skimmed past her, their arms brushed, sending a jolt to Ashley’s spine.

“She’s great. We’re good friends.” Ashley quickened her steps. “Did he tell you they’re getting married later this summer?”

“In all the ruckus the other night, I didn’t hear that. Let me guess. You’re planning their wedding too?”

“How did you know?” Ashley stuck her tongue out at him, grinning when her actions elicited the smallest of smirks.

“Because Ashley Baker can’t say no to save her life.”

“Maybe she just doesn’t want to.”

“Nah, I think it’s a compulsion.”

The truth of his comment stung, though she wasn’t sure why.

They arrived at the Frosted Cake, and Derek opened the door, indicating she should go in first. Murmuring her thanks, Ashley stepped into the diner, greeted by swirls of delicious down-home cooking. Once upon a time, this had been merely a bakery, but its owner had expanded the menu without bothering to change its name. The bright and cheery place was booming, not unusual even for a Wednesday night such as this, and there was a line to get seating in the dining room. Thankfully, the To Go counter didn’t appear quite so busy.

Ashley moved in that direction, and when Derek appeared beside her, she couldn’t help but breathe in the woodsy scent of his cologne. At least France hadn’t changed the way he smelled.

Josephine Radcliffe swept toward them, her shock of white curls framing a round, smiling face. “Derek Campbell, is that you? You look a whole foot taller than the last time I saw you.” On the wall behind her, starfish and netting hung on the edges of the chalkboard menu.

Derek chuckled. “I’m pretty sure I’ve been done growing for about ten years now, Ms. Josephine.”

The café owner tapped the end of her nose. “I know what I’m talking about, so you just best believe me. What’ll it be tonight?”

Once they’d put in their order, Ashley perused the pastry case while Derek hit the restroom. Behind her, the café door opened and blew in a breeze.

“Ashley? Hey!”

Ashley turned to find two of her favorite people in the world. “Hey, Mad. Hey, Evan.”

Madison Price stepped forward and gave Ashley a hug, then pressed back into her boyfriend’s side. “Working late again? You want to join us for dinner?”

“No, I’ve got plans, actually.”

Madison lifted an eyebrow behind the purple, large-framed glasses she sometimes wore. “With who?”

“Just a client.” Her friend was so busy with the newly reopened library these days, Ashley hadn’t had a chance to update her on Derek’s arrival. “Besides, I wouldn’t want to intrude.” With Madison’s new job and Evan working as Walker Beach’s head community developer, overseeing the Christmas festival committee, and studying to become a physical education teacher, the two didn’t get to see each other as much as they’d like.

“You sure?” Madison’s nose scrunched.

“Yes. I’m fine.”

Derek stepped back into the room.

Ashley peeled her eyes off of him and looked back at her friend. “And like I said, I have plans.”

Madison and Evan swiveled their heads at Derek’s approach, and Evan’s face broke into a smile. “Derek! How are you, man?”

Meanwhile, Madison fixed Ashley with a look—one that asked all sorts of questions Ashley couldn’t answer. “A client, huh?” Her whisper hissed between them.

“Shhh. I’ll explain later.”

Derek reached forward and shook Evan’s hand. Both guys were handsome and fit, though Derek was a bit taller with broader shoulders, while Evan had a leaner build indicative of the baseball player he’d once been. “I’m good, dude. And you?”

“Busy as ever, but things are good.” Evan squeezed Madison’s waist. “Better than good. This is Madison, by the way.”

“I feel like we’ve met. Weren’t you friends with Ashley in high school?”

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