Thank fuck, she’s not nuts. This kind of thing isn’t crazy at all. “Yeah, babe. I’ve heard of it. In fact, my mom is a big believer. She makes a new vision board every New Year’s Day. She calls it part of her visualization process though.”
“Some people call it that,” Ashley answers. “But other people—like Oprah—refer to it as manifesting. I saw something on YouTube where she talked about manifesting, and I fell down a rabbit hole. If it’s good enough for O, then it’s good enough for me.”
“Ah, yes, the mighty O.” I chuckle. “My mom used to record every episode of her show and watch it right after dinner. I feel like I grew up with Oprah in my house.”
Ashley throws back her head and laughs. “Same! For me, it was my grandmother. I used to do my homework on a tray table in the living room while she watched. Every time Oprah made one of her book club recommendations, my grandmother and I would go to Barnes & Noble. I used to love those days the most, because it meant I could get some new books too. The bookstore was always my jam. What about you?” she asks. “Are you a reader?”
“Oh yeah. Reading was a big deal in my house. One of the main reasons my parents bought their forever home was because of the library. My mom’s bookcases are stuffed with romances, and my dad’s are an even split of books about World War II, autobiographies, and true crime. As for me, I’m a big mystery/thriller fan. David Baldacci and Lee Child are my go-tos.”
She nods approvingly. “I’m glad you read. Too many people proudly say they don’t these days.”
As she says that, Boo climbs off Ashley’s lap and bounces her way over to me. I swear my dog is half kangaroo. Stopping in front of me, she sits down and makes one of her howly talking noises. When she nudges my knee, I know she’s asking for me to throw her ball. Reaching behind me, I grab the ball I set on the ground next to me when I sat down and toss it toward the water, since Boo loves to run right to the edge so she can get her paws wet.
“She’s adorable,” Ashley comments.
We both laugh when Boo comes back with the ball and stops in front of me expectantly. Taking it from her mouth, I toss it again. “She is. My sister, Eve, works for an animal rescue in Seattle, and someone found an abandoned dog that was pregnant. After the dog birthed her pups, Eve started sending pics with little messages about how saving a dog would make her love me forever. Next thing I knew, I was picking up Boo. One of the shelter workers named the pups after Monsters, Inc. characters. I could’ve changed it, but the name suits her.”
“I love her name. She’s so darn cute I can barely stand it. I want to get a dog. Not quite yet—I’ll need to settle in and get used to my schedule and stuff—but when I do, I want to adopt. Maybe I can find a dog through your sister’s place. Seattle isn’t a far drive at all. Once I’m ready, I can go pretty much any day after work.”
“I’ll take you,” I say.
“Really?”
“Consider it a plan.”
Once again, the sight of the blush on her cheeks affects me. Jesus, when did I become a sucker for blushing? Apparently, today.
This time when Boo returns with the ball, she stops in front of Ashley, who takes it from her without hesitation. Copying what I did, she throws it toward the edge of the water.
We stay outside, shooting the shit and playing with Boo until the sun goes all the way down. I’m all but oblivious to the beauty of the setting sun, because I’m far more fascinated with the beauty of the woman next to me.
Eventually, I force myself to leave.
I miss her before I’m even one house away.
CHAPTER SEVEN
____________________________________
ASHLEY
AT MILLIE’S INSISTENCE, I slowly spin so that she can critique my outfit from her spot on my sofa. “You look stunning, but I think you should wear your hair down instead of pulled back,” she declares.
Turning to the mirror that hangs over the entry table by the door, I look myself over critically. “You think? I thought about it, but I’ve been wearing my hair in a soft bun at work, and this is my first night out on the town here. I don’t want everyone thinking I look… I don’t know, desperate? Or like I’m trying too hard.”
Millie snickers. “How silly. Wearing your hair down is hardly something anyone would question. Unless you’re showing off your pointer sisters or flashing your nethers, I can’t understand how trying too hard is even really a thing.”