Page 28 of Third Time Lucky

‘Pretty sure I stole the show.’

He laughs. ‘You know you caught me off guard when you mentioned you’d like to get to know me better. I think I like the idea of that. We used to have fun together, why not now? How about dinner at your place tomorrow night?’

I burst into laughter, almost disbelieving. ‘You still want to come over here and watch me scramble through another evening like a newborn calf struggling to stand?’

‘Interesting way to put it, but yeah. If your date with Tucker slash Tanner will allow it?’

Crap. My date. I forgot about that lie. I swallow a large gulp of wine, trying to calm my racing thoughts. He can’t think I made this phone call to clear things up but still lied or he really will think I’m nuts.

‘Right, my date. Maybe we plan our already planned dinner for the next night?’

‘I probably won’t say no to any night.’

I laugh again, more out of nervousness. ‘Are you sure? Because I feel like a fool. The past has been breathing down my neck for months and piqued at the sight of you tonight, if you catch my drift. I’m so embarrassed.’

‘You’re not a fool. In fact, I might be the only person who truly understands what you’re feeling.’

I lay back, staring at my ceiling, my breathing finally slowing. Maybe he will understand my wildest worries.

‘Do you think?—?’

I pause; unsure I should even mention him but unable to keep the words in because it feels like he’s standing in the same room with me.

‘Do you think Kris would be disappointed in me?’

‘Um…’ He hesitates. ‘Why would he be disappointed?’

‘Because I chose an obvious loser to marry and, if it weren’t for you, nearly went through with it without a clue.’

‘He’d probably be more ready to kick the guy’s ass for you.’

I sit up. ‘You think?’

Ash laughs softly. ‘I remember an unfortunate teenager named Grant who followed you around until Kris chased him through town to a cemetery and threatened that he may never leave.’

‘Oh my God, Grant! I’d forgotten about him! Poor kid. For the record – Kris did apologize after I made him.’

‘I remember. Look, Lucy, one thing I absolutely know, is that Kris was smitten with you. You could do no wrong in his eyes. And I think deep down you still know that. He was so in love with you that I had to set a rule limiting him to gushing over just one cute thing you did each day.’

A slightly tipsy chuckle escapes me. He was annoyed that Kris would gush about me? That’s sort of adorable.

‘Really?’

‘Yeah – otherwise, he’d endlessly go on about how he was the luckiest guy for finding “the one” at sixteen.’

‘He thought I was “the one?”’

Of course, I knew this, Kris told me, but hearing he shared it with his friend is unexpected. I didn’t realize teenage boys had such conversations. I take a deep breath, caught between the warmth of remembering and the ache that it brings.

‘Never doubt that Kris loved you. If he were still here, he still would. As for Brandon – well, even the smartest of us make mistakes. Lord knows I’ve made some.’

It’s quiet for a moment before I finally reply, my voice soft. ‘Thank you for telling me all this. I needed to hear it.’

‘Anytime, Luce, anytime.’

There’s a heaviness in the air, a weight of shared grief and understanding that somehow feels comforting and raw at the same time.

Ash clears his throat, breaking the silence that had settled between us.

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