Page 58 of Echoes of Us
"About what?"His eyes met hers, sharp with something that wasn't quite anger."About Cole?About how you see him when you look at me?"He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture so achingly familiar it made her chest tight."Or about whatever else you're not telling me?"
The accusation caught her off guard."What do you mean?"
"You're different, Ashley."He straightened from the desk, his height suddenly more noticeable in the small space."The way you talk about things, the way you..."He stopped, jaw working."The way you look at me sometimes is like you're seeing a ghost."
Her heart stuttered.She hadn't realized he'd noticed so much, had seen through her so clearly."Dale-"
"No."He held up a hand, the motion gentle but firm."I don't need explanations.I don't even need apologies.What I need is for you to stop pretending."
"Pretending what?"
"That this is just about Cole.That you ran to my lab because you suddenly developed a passion for quantum mechanics."His laugh was soft, almost sad."I don’t know what your plan is, but it is time you come clean.”
Ashley's throat tightened, the impossible truth pressing against her lips.How could she explain that she was trying to save him?That every moment in his presence was both a gift and a curse, knowing what was coming?
"I do care about you," she said finally, the words inadequate but honest.
"I know."His voice gentled, and somehow, that was worse than his anger."That's what makes this harder."
He moved to the window, moonlight painting silver across his shoulders.Music drifted up from somewhere below - students enjoying the summer night, their laughter a distant reminder of simpler times.
"You should go," he said quietly, still facing the window."It's late, and we both have an early lab tomorrow."
Ashley took a step toward him, then stopped.What could she possibly say?That she was sorry for trying to change his future?Sorry for caring too much about both him and his brother.Sorry for making everything worse by trying to make it better.
The words stuck in her throat, choking her with their impossibility.
"I think I fell in love with a version of you," she said quietly, the words falling into the space between them."Someone I imagined you could be.And that's not fair to either of us."
Dale went very still by the window, his shoulders tensing."And Cole?"
"I love him."The truth hurt, but she owed Dale that much."I've always loved him, even when I shouldn't.Even when it makes no sense."Her voice cracked."But I care about you too, Dale.So much.As a friend, as someone I trust.And I hate that I've ruined that."
He was quiet for a long moment; the moonlight casting shadows across his face.When he finally spoke, his voice was barely audible."Did I ever stand a chance?"
Tears spilled down her cheeks as she shook her head."No," she whispered."And I'm so sorry for letting you think you did."
Dale nodded slowly, absorbing the blow.His hands clenched once at his sides before relaxing - that careful control she'd always admired asserted itself even now.
"I will need time, Ashley," he said eventually, each word measured."But we will be friends."The ghost of his old smile touched his lips."Just...not today."
CHAPTER22
Ashley found Margaret Westwood in the physics building's coffee shop on a muggy August morning.
She almost missed her at first - the elegant woman seemed out of place among the scattered graduate students hunched over laptops, her cream blazer and perfectly styled hair a stark contrast to their rumpled summer wear.But there was no mistaking those sharp features, the same ones Cole and Dale had inherited in slightly different ways.
Ashley's steps faltered.She hadn't seen Cole and Dale's mother since graduation, and even then, only from a distance.The woman sat alone, stirring her coffee with precise movements, her attention fixed on some papers spread across the small table.
Making a quick decision, Ashley turned to leave.But Margaret's voice, cool and certain, cut through the quiet murmur of the cafe.
"Miss Carter."
Ashley's heart stuttered.She hadn't realized Margaret even knew her name.
"Mrs.Westwood," she managed, turning back.
Margaret gestured to the empty chair across from her.It wasn't quite a request, but neither was it quite a command."Join me.I've been meaning to speak with you."
