Page 16 of All I've Waited For

“Yeah, she was just about my only friend. I wasn’t exactly Ms. Popular like her.” Madison’s eyes danced with mirth.

“Oh, whatever.” Ashley shook her head. “You were just shy.”

“Something like that.” Madison poked Evan in the ribs, a look passing between them before they laughed.

Ms. Josephine called their number and Ashley stepped forward to accept the paper bag with a thank you. Rejoining the group as they chatted, she caught a mention of the beach festival taking place at the end of the year.

Evan nodded to Ashley. “I’ll see you at the meeting on Saturday, right?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.”

A moment of silence hung among them, and Ashley held up the bag of food. “Our order’s ready.”

Derek shook himself. “Oh, great.” He turned back to Evan and Madison. “Nice to see you both again.”

“Likewise, man,” Evan said. “We should hang out sometime. I know Ben’s looking for help remodeling some rooms in the inn so they’re ready for the summer season.”

“I’d love to help if it fits in my schedule. Just text me.” He nodded to Ashley. “Ready?”

Her blood flashed hot at the word—and the way he said it low, as if only meant for her ears. “Yep.”

They said their goodbyes and headed out the door and toward the beach. Not too far away, a couple sat in front of a bonfire, which provided enough light for Ashley and Derek to choose a spot on the pristine sand to settle into. Tonight, the moon and stars were partially obscured by clouds, and a breeze blew up from the ocean.

Ashley shivered. She should have brought a sweater.

“Here.” Derek shrugged out of his blue long-sleeved shirt, which he’d rolled to the elbows. Underneath, he wore a plain white T-shirt.

“Oh, no. I’m fine.”

He held it out to her. “Don’t be stubborn. You’re cold.”

She frowned, but took the soft shirt from him, and as she did, their fingertips brushed. Shivering some more, she pushed her arms through the holes and settled the shirt over her shoulders. The cologne she’d smelled earlier now surrounded her, and she caught hints of melon and sage that she’d missed before. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Reaching into the bag from the Frosted Cake, Derek pulled out a few clear to-go containers and handed her one. “So, you’re helping with that festival Evan was talking about? The one that’s supposed to help the economy recover from the earthquake?”

She cracked open her container and smiled at the turkey club and pickle spear sitting inside. There was such comfort in the familiar, and Ms. Josephine’s food was one of them. “Yes, I’m kind of running the show. Evan’s doing a lot too, but it’s only part of his job.”

Derek took a bite of his burger and chewed, staring out at the breaking waves. “And you’re also working full timeandhelping Ben plan his wedding?”

“And hopefully buying the wedding business from my boss in a few months.” Chomping down on her sandwich, she grimaced. Why had she told him that?

“Wow. That’s big. Congrats. I know you always wanted to own a wedding business.”

He remembered that? Ashley swallowed and set her sandwich down, wiping her hands with a napkin. “Thanks. And yes, it’s exciting, but also a bit nerve wracking. There’s just a lot riding on …”

Yeah, she definitely shouldn’t tell himthat.

“On what?” Derek polished off the rest of his burger and leaned back on his hands, finally turning his head to look at her.

Tiny wings flapped in her gut, tickling her insides. “Oh, um, on your wedding, actually.”

“How’s that?”

“My boss said if I prove that I can successfully handle a last-minute, upscale event like your wedding, then he’d sell me the business. Otherwise, it might go to his niece.”

Derek was quiet for a moment. The shadow of flames from the bonfire several feet away danced across his face. “Sorry.” He whispered the word, so she had to lean in to hear. “That it’s so last minute.”

And here was her chance to dig in, to learn more about him and Claire, what made them tick. What he loved about her. Why they worked. And why they were in such a hurry to get married.

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