Chapter 15
Fair Play – to respect the rules as long as you’re the one making up the rules
Rowan
“Where are we going?” Ash asks from the rear of my golf cart.
“I told you. To get a bite to eat. I don’t feel like cooking.”
“I can cook. Or we can order in.”
And let her go hide in her bedroom to eat again? No way. I’m done with her avoiding me. We need to clear the air because I’m not living with the woman who drives me absolutely crazy scurrying out of every room I walk into.
I realize I’m being a hypocrite. It would be easier all around if I let Ash ignore me. We can never be anything other than friends. But I can’t do it. I know she’s hurting and it’s my fault. I should have never kissed her. Except our kiss was the best kiss of my life.
When I park the golf cart in front of the brewery, Ash rears back.
“Nope. Not happening. I am not discussing the recording studio with you. Take me away, Jeeves!”
I wave toward the recording studio where the windows are now covered with newspaper so no one can peer inside. “You don’t need to worry. Someone else is busy with the store now.”
She glares at the building for a long moment before nodding. Hurdle one has been crossed and no one was injured. Onto the next hurdle.
I go to help her out of the golf cart, but she brandishes one of her crutches like it’s a sword.
“No. I got this.”
I fist my hands as she jumps off of the cart. She wobbles as she lands and I step closer, but she growls at me. I hold up my hands.
“Let’s get this over with,” she mutters as we make our way to the entrance of the brewery restaurant.
When I open the door, the noise hits me. “I didn’t think it’d be this crowded.”
Ash snorts. “What did you expect? There are exactly two restaurants in Winter Falls. They’re always crowded.”
I waggle my eyebrows. “Rumor has it there’s an excellent bakery in town, too.”
She rolls her eyes.
The waitress rushes up to us. “Ashlyn Bashlyn! Twice in one week. I guess you haven’t forgotten your bestie now you’re a famous narrator after all.”
Ashlyn groans. “Shut it, Moon.”
Moon sticks out her hand. “You must be Rowan. I’m Moon. Ashlyn’s BFF.”
BFF? Do people still use that term? And why is she introducing herself? I know Moon. She was practically surgically attached to Ashlyn when they were teenagers.
She wiggles the hand she’s still sticking out, and I grasp it. She uses my hand to drag me forward.
“I have a table all ready for you,” she whispers and winks.
She drops my hand and whirls around. “Follow me.”
I place a hand on Ashlyn’s lower back as I follow her to our table. She shivers at my touch and it’s official. I’m a complete asshole. I know I can’t have her, but I can’t help myself from touching her every chance I get anyway. It’s not fair to her, and I need to stop.
“Here we are!” Moon announces when we reach a table in the corner. A private table where the eyes of most of Winter Falls can’t watch us. Great. Moon thinks we’re here for a romantic meal.
Ashlyn takes a seat, but I stand there trying to think of an excuse to switch to a less private table. Moon isn’t having it. She pushes me and I stumble into a chair.