Page 103 of Silver Fox's Secret Baby

“Really?”

“Yeah. I went there the first couple years after Rose died. Then I just… didn’t have the time with Hawthorn expanding the way it did. Anyway. I interrupted you.”

I shake my head. “It’s okay. I didn’t know you suggested he go.”

Ash shrugs plainly.No big deal.

“Anyway, I eventually came around. And while I didn’t have a new mom, I had a new person. That I just fucking adore,” I say. “That I really am glad is in my life in such an important way. So… doing this for them is an amazing gift. A stressful gift, but an amazing one.”

When I finally look at Ash, I see there are tears in his eyes. He tries to laugh at my last comment but is clearly wrapped up in his own thoughts. “Sorry, ehm.” He clears his throat and flicks away the one tear that’s freed itself from the corner of his eye. “I’m even more honored to be able to help you with planning this wedding.”

I smile at him. “So. Table arrangements. Thoughts?”

We get through many of the decorating decisions at a breakneck pace. Ash and I work well together when we’re focused. And, to my surprise, he’s got quite discerning taste and opinions on almost everything. Our rapport is better than it’s ever been, and even though I can’t ignore I still want him, I at the very least can respect the relationship we do have. Dynamic wedding planning duo. Perhaps the next three months will go by quickly and smoothly now.

All of this comes to a halt when we try to decide napkin color. Fucking napkin color!

“Ecru.”

“No, I hate it,” I say, crossing my arms.

“It’s classic. And it’s classy.”

“I much prefer the pearl.”

Ash makes a gagging sound. “Are you kidding? It’s totally tacky.”

I crack a smile even though I’m willing to defend my choice to the death. “Tacky?”

“Yeah. I said it.”

We stand on opposite sides of the table, his arms crossed, me with my hands on my hips. This feels… playful. Fun, even.

“I’m vetoing ecru,” I say off-handedly.

“You already used your veto on the canopy lighting.”

I roll my eyes. “Now,thatwas tacky.”

“You’re infuriating.”

I bite my lip. I don’t quite mind being infuriating, especially when he’s looking at me with his head tilted to the side and his green eyes fixed in mine.

After a moment, Ash asks, “You hungry?”

I shake my head. Even though I could eat, I’m not feeling hungry. “No. I’m fine.”

“You… want a drink?”

I smirk. “You’re asking that as if it’s illegal.”

“I just don’t want your dad to get mad at me for giving you alcohol,” he says under his breath.

All the fun comes to an immediate halt with the mention of my dad. “I’m twenty-nine, Ash. I can drink without my dad’s permission.”

“Well, I know that, but… ” Ash trails off and then nods. “Okay. Wine? Red or white.”

“Red,” I say.

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