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Ashlee kicks at the water, her face set firm in a scowl

I’hs and I hear hi at his stubble for a bit

Wondering how Chloe’s gonna take the news there’s a stranger in her wedding party

But I don’t care I’o, Ashlee goes from now on

If I’ with et new shoes, I’m there

It’s how I roll and I’m not afraid to say so Not to Brett or anyone else

“Fine” He sighs, repeating hi a little more cheerful “I mean, that’s fine, Brandon We’d be happy to have Ashlee as part of things When can we meet her?”

I look over at her, knowing she can hear both sides of the call as well as I can, but she’s still looking unsure Nervous even

“If it can wait until later in the week? I’onna take a few days off here Rest for once in thirty years”

Brett sucks air in between his teeth “This does sound serious, B,” he jokes, laughing quietly to himself

“She must be a keeper,” he adds

“Oh, she’s the one, Brett You kno you just know?” I ask,Ashlee square in the eyes when I say that

“Yeah, B I know I really do I’m happy for ya man”

“Soooo…? I can count on you to hold the fort for a few days?” I ask I have to ask

“You know you can I was just… Before, when I”

“I know you were, buddy I know And hey? I’ot I really am,” I tell him

“I know you are,” he says Telling o enjoy my new crush

She’s way more than a crush, but I let Brett know I intend to do just that

Hanging up and tossing the phone onto the pile of clothes behind me, I pull Ashlee by her ankles towards me

Before she can say a word Before she can startthe excuses I know she wants to, I let her know the one thing I want to do that neither of us has ever done in the bath before and thrust between her legs

Chapter Twenty-One

Two Weeks Later…