“We, uh, hope you don’t mind, but the money we make will be donated in her name,” Ash said.
Fresh tears gathered in Robert’s eyes. He managed a nod before he was pulling Ash into his arms, then me. “Thank you,” he said. “She’d love that.”
I had to wipe away my own tears as I handed Ash the gift bag. Ash’s eyes widened and he shot me a grateful look, then handed the bag to Robert. “For you,” Ash said.
Robert seemed surprised, then froze when he opened the bag. He covered his mouth with his hand, then carefully pulled the stethoscope out of the bag.
“Do you want to listen?” Ash asked quietly.
The tears came again, almost harder than they had before.
“Yes,” he cried. “Oh my god, yes.”
Ash immediately began to unbutton the top few buttons of his shirt so Robert could place the instrument over the familiar scar on Ash’s chest. The minute the heartbeat registered, we could see Robert freeze in concentration.
It was surreal. Watching a father listen to his deceased daughter’s heart beating on in another person’s chest was unlike anything I’d ever seen. The intimacy and heartbreak. The hope and relief. It was a jumble of emotions that would stick with all three of us for a long time to come, if not forever.
I took a moment to be grateful that my insurance policy would cover Ash so fully that he’d always be able to get the best care needed for his heart. I knew not everyone was that lucky, and that was why part of the proceeds from this evening’s concert would benefit organizations to help people with the associated expenses of transplants.
After a few minutes of listening, Robert wrapped his arms around Ash again. “Thank you,” he whispered to Ash over and over again. Then he stepped back and smiled at us, wiping his face with his hands.
“This calls for a celebration. Drinks are on me,” he said with a smile.
“No way,” I said with a laugh. “Drinks are already on me,” I said as I motioned to the empty bar and the waiting bartender. Ash and Robert both laughed and then stepped up to the bar arm in arm.
I smiled to myself as I realized how big Ash’s world had grown in the days since I’d walked into Beam Me Up Latte and encountered a terrified young man afraid to dream too big.
If I had my way, and I would have my way, that would be a feeling he’d never know again.
ASH
I’d never forget the look on Aiden’s face a week after the benefit concert when he’d gotten a call from a recording company who wanted to offer me a contract. We’d been sitting in the conference room finishing the lunch I’d brought him and gossiping about a certain jackass quarterback who’d landed a free agency contract with the LA Rams, when Aiden’s phone had rung.
He’d acted professionally, as usual, but his eyes had bugged out and I’d wondered for a moment if I’d need to get him medical attention. As soon as he’d put his phone down on the table and rubbed his hands over his mouth, I’d asked him what the hell was wrong.
“Ashton Fuck-me-now Valentine, do you have any idea who that was?” he’d asked in shock. I hadn’t been able to help but laugh at my new middle name.
“How the hell would I know who that was?” I’d asked.
“You did it, baby. Recording contract from Altscope. Someone saw you at the concert, I guess, and they’re interested in making you an offer.”
I’d felt my heart ratchet up in my chest. “Really?”
“Yep. And knowing Paul Altman, if he’s interested, others will be too. I know there were reps from at least four recording companies at that event,” he’d said with a smirk.
“You did this,” I’d said. It had been more of a question than anything. “You asked them to come.”
He’d shrugged. “I just sent them invitations, Ash. I didn’t say anything about you specifically. You did that,” he’d said as he’d motioned to the phone.
“Holy shit!” I’d screamed. It had been loud enough to make Aiden jump in his seat and Tomás to come running with the fire extinguisher.
“Holy shit, I’m going to record an album!” I’d cried even louder.
Aiden’s face had never been more wide open with happiness. He’d practically beamed as he’d stood up and crushed me into a bear hug.
“It’s only the beginning for you, baby. Just you wait,” he’d promised. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”
And now here I was, covering a rare shift at the coffee shop for Emily while she went to an ultrasound appointment with Lamont. I’d been daydreaming about the recording contract, but really, it always turned into daydreaming about Aiden.
It was almost closing time, and I was working behind the espresso machine, making drinks and looking up every time the door chimed. The moment my man walked through the door, like I knew he would, he ignored the couple of people in line and walked right up to the end of the counter, eyes only for me, before leaning across the small divide and brushing his mouth over mine. He always did it that way, not caring who was watching, before reminding me how much he loved me and returning to the back of the line to wait his turn to get his drink.