Page 72 of Fake-Off with Fate
CHAPTER 33
ASHLYN
I feelhorrible about lying to Jamie about the reason I’m not coming back to Maple Falls. The truth is, my job doesn’t start for two more weeks. But I knew if I went back to Washington I might never be able to leave. Also, I need to figure out where I’m going to live if the fire takes my current rental.
I slow my car down at the end of my road, and a fireman posted there motions for me to roll down my window. When I do, he tells me, “Once you leave, you won’t be allowed back in until the threat passes.”
“I know,” I tell him.
“Are you sure you have everything?” He’s making it clear he doesn’t think there will be anything to come back to.
“I have as much as I could fit in my car,” I tell him.
“Animals are all secure?”
“No animals.”
He steps aside, “Okay, then. Good luck,” he says as he waves me on.
Good luck, indeed. I’m going to need more than luck. I could use a miracle right now.
I drive slowly as I take the twists and turns that lead me out of my neighborhood toward the freeway. The hillsides areburning around me, and the feeling is surreal. It’s not like I haven’t seen similar destruction in the last decade, but this is the first time it’s affecting me so seriously.
Once I get onto the freeway, I merge onto the 134 toward Pasadena. I’ve always liked Pasadena and wonder if I might relocate there if necessary. But as most of my jobs are on the Westside I realize I’d probably be tripling my commute to work. Nothing about that sounds appealing.
As I drive through Glendale, my phone rings. I hit the button to answer it on Bluetooth.
“Hey.” It’s Jamie.
My throat tightens with emotion at the thought of not knowing when I’ll see him again. “What’s up?”
“I just wanted to let you know that I’ll move out of your parents’ tomorrow and into the lodge. I don’t want to scare them by being here when they get home.”
I totally forgot about him staying at my parents’ house. How’s that for distracted? “That’s probably a good idea,” I tell him. “I mean, I don’t think they’d mind, but if they knew you were there, they might assume something had been going on between us.”
“And then they’d demand you move home so I can make an honest woman out of you?”Is it me or does he sound like he likes that idea?
“My concern is more for you,” I tell him. “My dad might throw punches first and ask questions later.”
He teasingly asks, “What about your mom?”
“She would probably congratulate me on making such a catch.”
“You think I’m a catch?” He sounds pleased at the thought.
Traffic slows, so I veer into a faster lane. “You know you’re a catch,” I tell him plainly. “Don’t fish for a compliment.”
“You’re a catch too, Ashlyn.” He sounds so sincere, bumps spring up on my arms.
“Thank you, that’s nice of you to say.”
“It’s the truth.”
“Well, then. We’re both catches. If we’re lucky we might both find a member of the opposite sex who appreciates us.” A wave of pure jealously washes through me at the thought of the woman who’s lucky enough to snag Jamie.
“Remember fate,” he says cryptically.
“It’s been on my mind quite a lot,” I assure him.
