Page 3 of Choosing You

“Ooh…good idea!” Hailey said. She placed Layla in her carrier and took her into the kitchen. Billie did the same with Julian, followed by Chloe and Charlotte.

“Food is always a great distraction,” Ash murmured. “But I really am hungry, so I’ll make this quick. If you can come back, I’ll find out what shift your hottie is working in the booth.”

She was rolling her eyes before she could stop herself. “If you know who he is, why won’t you just tell me?”

“Because until you’re ready to admit that you’re genuinely interested and not playing around, it wouldn’t be fair. You get to pack up and head back to Florida; I’ve got to live here. And if he knew you were a Donovan, he’d be able to track you down in a heartbeat. Especially since Hailey lives here now.”

“Damn. You’re right.”

“The ball’s in your court, Sloane. If you just need to get your kicks one more time? I can hook you up with the booth schedule. And when you’re ready for more? Then I’m here for you too.”

“Thanks, Ash. And thank you for keeping my secret all those times I came to town and didn’t really tell anyone.”

“Are you kidding? It was awesome keeping that just between the two of us. No one else would have understood. They’re all far too serious. Trust me.”

“Well, I don’t know about that, but I always had fun hanging out with you.”

“Can I let you in on a little secret?” Ash whispered, leaning in a bit closer.

“Of course!”

“It was fun going to those out-of-town festivals with you and hitting up their booths!” She laughed softly. “Now I have Reid, and I have no interest in doing that anymore, but I’ll certainly support you if you need a wingman. Or…wing-woman? Wing-person? I don’t know what to call it, but just know I’m here for you.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that.”

“Hey, you two,” Chloe called out. “Lunch is on the table!”

“Coming!” Ash replied before picking up her son. “Come on, Noah. Let’s see what your cousins are up to.” Turning, she winked at Sloane. “Brace yourself. Most of the time we have adult conversations, but sometimes it turns to all baby-related things.”

Nodding, she sighed. “It’s okay. I figured.” In the kitchen, she noticed that the table was covered in platters of sandwiches and a variety of salads.

“Help yourself to something to drink, Sloane,” Hailey told her. “I just have water out, but there are more options in the fridge.”

“Thanks.”

It took a few minutes to get her drink and make her plate before she finally sat down, and, as Ash predicted, they were all talking about baby stuff. Instead of trying to add anything to the conversation, she quietly ate her sandwich and covertly scrolled through social media on her phone.

Someone loudly cleared their throat and Sloane looked up in confusion. “What?”

“We’re sorry,” her sister said sympathetically. “Here we are talking and excluding you.”

“It’s fine, Hales. You guys had plans and I crashed them. You’re allowed to talk about whatever you like.”

“We talk all the time. We never get to hang out with you.”

“I was just here three weeks ago,” Sloane reminded her.

“I know, but I was kind of busy having a baby and didn’t really have time to sit and visit with you.”

“And it’s fine,” she said, thoroughly amused by the conversation. “We can just…”

“So, who’ve you kissed at the local festivals?” Chloe blurted out, and everyone’s heads snapped to look at her. Her eyes went wide. “What? What did I say? And I really am curious.”

“She doesn’t know their names, Chlo,” Ashlynn quickly replied. “That’s not how kissing booths work, right? It’s not like a round of speed dating.”

Nodding, Sloane agreed. “None of them wore name tags, so…”

“It’s usually the same four to six guys, from what I remember,” Billie added. “Keith Rowlands, who’s a firefighter. Then Russ Evans and Dave Williams from the bank, and Chris Overman, who teaches middle school science…” She paused for a moment. “And I think Eric Madden and Will Campbell from the auto body shop rounded the group out.” Shrugging, she went on, “I could be wrong, but those guys are the ones I’ve seen working the booths the most.”

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