Page 63 of Hartley

“Yeah?”

“I have a favor to ask you.”

She turned to me; her gaze serious. “Anything. You know that.”

“How do you feel about officiating my commitment ceremony to Jordan and Hart?”

Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “No! You’re serious?”

“I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t.”

There was no holding back her joy. She smiled and squealed in delight. Her feet even tapped on the floor. “I can’t believe my brother is getting married. Did you pick out rings? What are you going to wear? Of course, Hartley will handle that. What about a location? You should have Tahoe involved somehow and Ava, of course. Wait, you know, right?” she asked Ava.

“Yes, they told me the next day.”

Cat’s eyes narrowed. “How long ago was that?”

“Ummmm…” I stalled. “I don’t remember the exact date, but there was so much going on and I wanted to tell you in person.”

She reached around Ava, sure to be clear of her, then smacked me on the arm. “Vail Ayers, how dare you not call me immediately and tell me what you were doing. I should have been the first to know. The only reason I’m not angrier is because you asked me to officiate. I don’t have to get certified or anything, right?”

“No.” I smiled. I loved my sister so much. When Jordanand Hartley agreed she would be perfect to officiate, I smothered them both in kisses and thanked them. “Since it’s not a legally binding ceremony, you don’t have to do anything.”

She nodded. “You’re going to have Ruined and Relinquished play, of course. You didn’t ask them yet, did you? I know they’re on tour overseas, but maybe they’ll be here when you have the ceremony.”

Before she could say more, Oleander slowed and turned down a driveway which drew Cat’s attention.

Cat looked out her window then mine. Her mouth dropped open before she grabbed Ava’s hands in hers. “Do you know where we are?”

Ava peered out the windshield. “A house on a farm?”

“This isn’t just any house. Next door is the farm, though this is on the same land. And on this land is a restaurant called Ashford’s. Ring any bells?”

Ava gasped and turned to me. “Really?”

I nodded. “They’re practicing in their studio as we speak on break from touring. Slater said we could come by so you could meet them.”

Ava let out a high-pitched scream that caused Oleander to jerk the wheel and momentarily stray from the driveway. “Jesus,” he muttered.

“I can’t believe we’re here and I’m going to meet Ruined and Relinquished. You have to take lots of pictures. My friends aren’t going to believe I met them.”

“I definitely will.”

When Oleander stopped the SUV, Sheldon pulling up alongside us, I hardly got my seat belt off before Cat was throwing the door open and jumping out, pulling Ava with her.

They didn’t get far when Dash strode toward them with his arms open. “There’s my girl.”

Cat threw herself at him, ending up with her arms wrapped around his neck and her legs around his waist as she hung on. Dash was such a good sport. He hugged her back and laughed. But Cat didn’t forget she wasn’t the only one who wanted to see the band. She climbed down from him and said, “Dash, this is my niece, Ava. Ava, Dash Meadows.”

Ava wiped her palms on her jeans then offered her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Meadows. I’m a big fan. I love your music.”

“Why thank you. Can I get a hug, or would you prefer the handshake? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“I can hug you?”

“Of course. Get in here.” He crouched a little so she could reach his neck to put her arms around him. Dash lifted her off the ground and spun her in a slow circle. Luckily, I had my phone out so I could capture the moment. He gently put her down. “Let’s go inside so you can meet the rest of the band. We have the house to ourselves today. Our partners are off doing other things while we work on new music.”

“Your brother should have told me to come by another day,” I said.

---