Page 75 of Fake-Off with Fate
“Not usually, but the Santa Ana winds have been stronger than normal, and the continued drought doesn’t help.” She adds, “There are also several other fires burning so resources are strained.”
I honestly don’t know why anyone lives there but I don’t say that. Instead, I go with, “How’s your new job?”
“My job? Oh, you know, it’s fine.”
Her answer makes me wonder if she really has a job. “I thought it started today.”
“Uh, yeah. But I put it off until tomorrow. You know, just resettling back into my place.”
Neither one of us says anything for a few beats and for the first time, I feel like I’m struggling to make small talk with Ashlyn. I finally tell her, “Maple Fest starts today.”
“Yeah, I know. Have you gone yet?”
“No. The girl who was going to show me around had other plans.” Even though I don’t want to be petty, I’m still feeling a bit sorry for myself.
“What girl?” Is it me or is there a hint of jealousy in her tone?
Stretching my legs out in front of me, I take a sip of my coffee before telling her, “You.”
“Oh. Yeah, well, I’m sorry about that.”
“You could fly up today and still join me,” I suggest. “I’m guessing your new client won’t expect you in on the weekend.”
“Jamie.” She sighs my name like I’m an annoyance. “I can’t.”
“Okay.” I suppose there’s no sense arguing with her. “I could come there, and we could do something fun.” I don’t know why I can’t leave well enough alone, but I just can’t.
“Don’t come,” she tells me. “I really do have to start my job tomorrow and I have a lot to do here. Callie and her husband are staying with me until they can figure out their next step.”
I’m not sure what her friend and her husband have to do with me coming out to lend my support, but Ashlyn’s made it clear I’m not welcome. It’s strange how much that hurts.
“Okay, then, well, I better get going,” I tell her.
“To Maple Fest?” she wants to know.
“Maybe.” My evasiveness is pure petulance but since Ashlyn has made it clear she doesn’t want to see me, I don’t feel the need to let her know what I’m up to.
“Have fun,” she says, suddenly trying to sound like there’s no tension between us.
“Will do.” And then I hang up. No “Goodbye,” no “Talk to you soon.” I just hang up feeling butt hurt that Ashlyn means more to me than I mean to her.
The first personI see when I walk into Maple Fest is Lucian Lowe. He’s a defenseman for the Ice Breakers and honestly, one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. If he were a dog, he’d be a golden retriever service dog. You know, sweet, playful, and above all else, helpful.
Lucian is with Neesha Gilmore. She runs a café inside a local bookshop, which I have yet to go into, but I understand it is firstrate. She also has a cupcake business on the side. Neesha is the one whose cupcakes Ashlyn turned me on to when we went to the farmers’ market together.
From what Lucian has told us, Neesha had a painful breakup with another hockey player, and she had vowed to never have anything to do with another one. That’s why Lucian isn’t telling her he’s on the Ice Breakers. He’s trying to win her over first. Which is the reason I don’t go over to say hello. Lucian doesn’t want Neesha to wonder why he has so many hockey player friends.
The next person I see is Dale. He’s waiting in line at a stand selling apple cider donuts, and he’s not alone. Walking up to him, I say, “I see you’ve found a friend, Coach.”
Shirley May from the diner is by his side and she’s wearing a smile that literally stretches from ear to ear. “Jamie,” she says excitedly. “How are you doing? Where’s Ashlyn?”
“She’s gone back to LA,” I tell her.
Shirley May’s expression falters. “For good?”
I shove my hands in my pockets as my fingers clench into fists of frustration. “That’s what she says.”
Dale puts his arm around my shoulders consolingly. “That’s too bad, son. I’m sorry.”
