Page 127 of Role Play
“You’re taking me to your spot, and we’re getting Brie’s ring back before some douchebag with a metal detector finds it and pawns itaway.”
Ash’s grip on my hand tightened. “Oh, fuck. I didn’t even think about that.” Still holding on to my hand, Ash took the lead, speedingforward.
Even though hiking was so not my thing, when we reached Ash and Brie’s picnic spot, it was breathtaking. I was worried it would feel like I was intruding on something. Like I was forcing my way into their storysomehow.
I dropped to my knees over the fresh mound of dirt that still had their initials carved into it, and with my hands I started digging. Ash was across from me, also digging. It only took us a few minutes before the tips of my fingers hit warm, gritty metal and I pulled out Brie’s ring, holding it up in the settingsun.
Ash let loose a heavy sigh, his head falling back, eyes closed, nose pointed to the sky. I took his hand in mine, and slipped the ring back on hispinky.
His lips curved, and he tilted his head, looking at me. “Thank you,” hesaid.
I brushed my lips against his in a brief kiss. “I’m going to give you some time up here,” I said. “But when you’re done, meet me at my apartment?” I took a step back, prepared to hike back down the way I came. But Ash’s grip on my hand didn’t release. In fact, he held tighter, tugging me into hisside.
“Stay,” he said. “I still have half a bottle of wine, and almost the entire cheese plate. Stay and toast Brie withme.”
“Are you sure?” I wanted to stay with him. More than anything. But I didn’t want tointrude.
“More sure thananything.”
I nodded. “Of course I’llstay.”
We sat, settling in on a small patch of dried grass, and Ash pulled out the various snacks and wine, pouring us each a glass. His movements stilled for second, and I followed his gaze to where it had locked on a small envelope peeking out of hisbackpack.
He handed me one of the plastic cups filled with wine and said, “Come back to work at Silhouette. Please. You belong in that costume department And I’m pretty sure Andrea and Kelly will kill me if youdon’t.”
I didn’t know how I felt about that. About going back to work with Ash. For Ash. “I-I want to. But, I’m worried. We broke up once and it was a disaster. I can’t do thatagain.”
Ash sighed. “Think about it, at least? You belong on this film. If we get Oscar nods, you deserve to be there, receiving those awards,too.”
“We need some ground rules then. And I need to make sure Erik has a replacement for me first. I have next week off, so maybe I’ll get lucky and he’ll find my replacementquickly.”
“Good,” Ash said on an exhale. “Because I have a proposition for you. Come to Georgia next week on location, and after we’re done filming, I want to take you to Florida to the CrystalRiver…”
The Crystal River? I recognized that name. It was one of the most famous placesto…
“… to swim with the manatees,” Ash finished. “I want to give you everything, Lucy. I want to help make all your dreams cometrue.”
I laughed, popping to my knees, and threw my arms around Ash’s neck, not caring that some of the red wine sloshed over the side of the glass. “Well how can I say no tothat?”
He kissed the tip of my nose, and I sat back on my haunches. “That’s what I was hoping for.” Then he held out his wineglass to me and ,smiling, said, “Here’s to Scarlett theManatee.”
I shook my head, pulling my glass back before he could tap the edge to it. “No,” I said. “Here’s to Brie Livingston, your firstlove.”
He blinked, not able to hide his surprise, then he nodded. “To my first love.” And after a moment’s pause, he added, “And also to you… my last love.” He tapped his glass to mine and we each took asip.
We sat back and I nestled into Ash’s chest, watching the sunset on the Los Angeles horizon. Somewhere in the back of my mind, a woman’s voice whispered,Take good care ofhim.
I swallowed tightly, tears pricking my eyes.I will, Brie, I thought.Iwill.
