We begin to eat, and she tells me about her phone call with Sadie. Even I can tell she misses her. But soon, conversation moves away from the kids. I learn more about her past, nothing heavy, but something that still teaches me more about her. I tell her about my family back in Delaware, college days with Jax, and we even talk about our future a little. Not necessarily as a couple, or even as a person in general. It mostly has to do with our careers.
Dishes are left on the table as we move to the couch. She carries the wine and wine glasses while I carefully carry the candles. I pull Lexie’s legs into my lap once she sits next to me.
“Who knew we could have so much fun on weekdays?”
Lexie giggles. “It’s not over yet.”
“Have you had a good time, Lex? Even though I kidnapped you without telling you first and took you away from everything without ever really going anywhere?” Reed has knocked me off my game, because otherwise, I wouldn’t be second-guessing myself.
“I’ve had a wonderful time. Thank you for doing this, Ashton.”
My hand starts sliding up and down her outer leg from her ankle to the hem of her dress. “I didn’t know when the next opportunity would arise, so I took advantage of this one.” I take her glass of wine, set it on the table, and the lift her hips, moving her so she straddles me as her dress rises to her hips. Squeezing her thighs, I add, “It has shown me one thing.”
“What’s that?” Lexie breathes when my hands slide further up her legs. She takes my tie and tugs me forward until I’m close enough for her to kiss me.
Before she can, I reply, “I want more days like these with you.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Lexie
“Mommy. Mommy.” Sadie races into my arms. “I missed you.”
“Me too.” I almost let the tears fall. I have missed this little girl so much. Today hasn’t been easy for me. Even though I had the most memorable two days with Ashton, it was this day, seven-years-ago, that I received the knock on the door.
“My, my, someone has a special glow about them.”
I turn, seeing Brooke in baby-blue scrubs, grinning down at me. I stand, shaking my head at her.
“Mommy was on an adventure,” Sadie explains. “She was trying to find something.”
Brooke snorts in laughter. “Did you find it?”
Even though it’s forty degrees outside, my body heat raises thinking of Ashton. “Yes, I did.”
She hugs me. “I’m so happy for you and him,” she whispers in my ear.
“Mom, can Sadie come over?” Reed appears in front of us.
“Not today, Reed.” I pull away from Brooke.
“How come, Miss Lexie?” His face drops.
“Because today we go see my daddy at the graveyard,” Sadie sadly tells him.
“Does he come up from the ground?”
“Reed Ashton,” Brooke growls at him.
“What?” he shrugs. “That’s what happens in the movie.”
“Well, I’ll be sure to talk to your father about what the heck you’re watching at his house.” She rolls her eyes.
“It’s okay, Brooke. He doesn’t understand.” I turn to him. “Maybe Sadie can come over this weekend, okay?”
Reed nods, and we say our goodbyes.
I load Sadie up in the car and drive to the other side of town. When I drive down the small hill, I see Tiff’s car is already here.