Page 72 of The Jilted Lovers Club
Ashton
It’s the housekeeper.
I shouldn’t have eavesdropped, but I did. Then she said that, and I didn’t want to hear the rest. It’s pretty clear who Jordy was talking with—Alexander. I could hear her talking about the shop before I turned on the shower water, and she obviously did not want him to know she’s here with me.
We’re just having fun, right?
Right.
I wait for the water to warm. I don’t have time to waste, but once the room steams up, I take a few extra minutes to just let the water run over me.
The truth is, I have no right to be upset. Did I really expect more out of this?
I groan into the water, because of course I did. The first girl I’ve been with since Sasha, and I didn’t even consider the implications. I’ve been so careful this far, so what changed?
Everything.
I’m not the same person I was before Jordy came around—and she isn’t either. Both of us leaped over some pretty high hurdles, and we couldn’t have done it without the other.
But we also made no promises to each other. We both knew this time was coming. My only regret is that we didn’t talk about it before, and now here we are, and she’s already moving out of my grasp.
“Pull it together, Ashton,” I growl. If this really is just us having fun, I don’t want to ruin it with melancholy bullshit. It’s time I get over my damn sensitive heart and just live in the moment.
Jordy is in overalls and a thermal by the time I’m dressed and back in the kitchen, and fuck, she looks cute as hell.
“Is this all right?” she asks, fiddling with one of the buckles. I brush aside all my hurt feelings to close the distance between us.
“It is going to be extra hard to work today while you’re looking like this.” I kiss her nose, then pat her behind. Because, damn, those overalls.
She gives me a hopeful look. “Think you could braid my hair again? It’s not pulling back right, and I just need it out of my face.” She holds up the rubber bands and brush.
“Sit,” I command, taking my place in the chair. She positions herself between my legs. I inhale, smelling the scent of her shampoo, feeling a pang of wistfulness. Two more days…
I make quick work of her hair. Partially to keep from buckling, and partially because I know these animals aren’t going to wait much longer. When I’m done, her hair is back in a long braid, and there are minimal flyaways to get in her way.
“You still have to teach me how to do that,” she reminds me.
“I will,” I promise. But when? She’s almost out of my life. “Maybe tonight you can practice on Lottie. She’s a great hair model.”
The sky is just starting to turn a purplish pink as we emerge from the house. Across the field, I can see Bob tossing scraps into the chicken yard. He spots us and gives a light wave. We wave back, and when I look at Jordy, she’s grinning.
“I’m going to miss this place,” she says, then looks quickly at me. Her mouth clamps shut. I smile, weaving my fingers through hers.
“This place will miss you,” I say.
It’s the perfect moment to ask her the impossible.
Stay.
But that damn phone call keeps replaying in my head. Her words, brushing off everything that’s happened between us.
“Can we visit Sunflower?” she asks. When I glance at her, she holds a shy, hopeful smile on her face.
“Sure we can.”
She keeps her hand in mine as we cross the field to the fenced in yard. I open the gate for her, then close it behind both of us. Jordy gasps when she sees the calf nursing off her mother.
“Is that the same baby?” she asks. I nod.
