“You knew Chase was coming home any minute, so don’t beat yourself up.”
That whole evening had been a blur. She barely remembered Chase coming home, or what he’d even said. Things became clearer when her mother and sister-in-law returned home and rushed her to the salon like it was the ER and she had a life-threatening disease.
Jackie, the stylist her mother had called ahead of time, did a good job hiding her dismay when Ashlee had walked through the door with the jagged haircut Isabelle had given her. She had been incredibly kind and had stayed late to see what she could do with the assorted chunks of hair missing. A three-year-old wasn’t very consistent with scissors. The little girl still didn’t understand why Ashlee’s hair hadn’t turned dark like Rapunzel’s had in the movie they’d watched together.
“Thank you for the new clothes and shoes,” Ashlee said, striking a pose. “Y’all didn’t need to do that, but it was sweet of Chase to insist you take me shopping.” She knew her brother’s level of guilt was high when he handed her his credit card and sent his wife to take her shopping for some new clothes to go with her new hairstyle.
“Chase was so distraught and didn’t know what else to do, but he knows new shoes always make me happy. By the way, I really want those shoes,” Addie said, taking a step back to get a better view of the strappy hot pink high heels on Ashlee’s feet. “Maybe I’ll get to borrow them once my ankles are no longer the same size as my calves?”
“For sure,” Ashlee said with a laugh as she turned back to look in the mirror. The off-white bohemian styled shirt complimented the trendy haircut. She looked chic and ready to start her new job in two weeks. “Do you think I need a necklace?”
“No, the teal-colored earrings are enough jewelry.” Addie moved in beside her to look in the mirror and frowned. “Remind me not to stand next to you tonight at the party. I look huge.”
“Stop,” Ashlee said, nudging her in the shoulder. “You look incredible. My brother can’t seem to keep his hands off of you. I saw y’all kissin’ last night on the front porch swing.”
“Yeah,” Addie said with a dreamy smile, “my husband has still got it.”
A twinge of envy accompanied the continual pain suffocating Ashlee on a minute by minute basis. It had been two days since she’d given Beau the ultimatum, and she still hadn’t heard anything from him.
“It’s gonna all work out,” Addie said softly. “Just don’t give up on him, okay?”
The sting of tears pressed against the back of Ashlee’s eyes. “I’m tryin’ not to.”
The upside of Izzy’s haircut was that it masked the despair Ashlee felt whenever she thought of never seeing Beau again, at least as his girlfriend. How could she go back to merely being his friend?
“Babe?” Chase hollered from outside the door. “Y’all ready to go?”
“We’re comin’,” Ashlee answered for her sister-in-law.
Grabbing her phone, she slipped it into the back pocket of her boyfriend styled jeans and followed Addie out the door.
“Tell Chase I’ll be out in a minute,” Addie said, pausing in front of the half bath near the kitchen. “This baby is sitting right on my bladder.”
“I’ll tell him.” Ashlee’s hot pink shoes clicked against the tiled floor as she crossed through the kitchen and out to the garage. Chase had already backed the car out of the garage, but had left the door up for her and Addie to come through.
Her parents were already out at Taylin and Luke’s house. They’d gone over this morning to help watch Crew while they prepped for the party and had been there all day. Come to think of it, everyone had been there all day except for her. After she and Addie returned from shopping, she’d spent the day at the spa, courtesy of her brother. Chase had double the guilt because he was the one who had left the scissors within Isabelle’s reach.
He was leaning against the car, reading something on his phone. His head shot up when he heard the sound of her heels on the cement floor. “Dang, I can’t believe how good you look.” He pushed away from the car. “I’m serious, Ash. The new haircut looks amazing on you.”
“Thank you.” She swept a hand over her clothes. “And thanks again for the new clothes.”
“You’re welcome.”
“By the way, how long is this guilt thing gonna last? I’m kind of liking it.”
“I’m not feeling so bad anymore.” He touched the end of her short hair. “You really do look beautiful. The man who ends up with you is going to be one lucky guy.” His voice broke a little, and she could almost swear she saw tears in his eyes before he quickly glanced away. “I better check on Izzy.”
Ashlee watched him open the door to the back seat and stick his head inside to talk to his daughter. He really was a good brother. She hoped the lucky guy he was talking about would be as good of a husband and daddy as he was. But more than anything, she hoped the lucky guy was Beau. Otherwise, she wasn’t sure she’d ever get married. After being with him for the short time they’d had together, she knew no one else could ever make her feel the way he did.
Addie joined them outside and, while Chase opened the passenger door for his wife, Ashlee slid onto the backseat with her niece. “Hey, beautiful girl,” she said, kissing Izzy on top of her head. “I like your new dress.”
Isabelle looked up and batted her long eyelashes. “I sorry, Ashwee.”
“Ahh, sweetie, it’s okay.” She tapped her on the nose. “Ashlee isn’t mad at you.”
Chase started the car and loud music blasted the air. “Sorry, I forgot to turn it down.” He lowered the volume. “This is the new song I wrote for Phillip. It comes out next week.”
The upbeat song rocked the car as they drove toward Taylin’s house. As Ashlee listened to Phillip sing the lyrics about taking chances on love, she had no regrets about turning the job down the country music star had offered her. Her family had been supportive of her decision, although she could tell they were all worried about what she would do since she’d quit her job at Princess Parties. Without her long hair, the job would be impossible to do without investing in hair extensions.
It had been pretty incredible to tell her family the reason she’d turned the Nashville job down was because she’d been offered a better job in Mitchel Creek. In two weeks, she would officially be the new activities director for Peach Tree Village.
When Ashlee met with Miss Paulette the day after her new haircut, she’d assumed it was to discuss her idea about Mr. Charleston teaching ballroom dance once a week. She’d never suspected it was for a legitimate job offer that came with an incredible salary and benefits.
During their discussion, Miss Paulette had confided in Ashlee about the recent management changes and why everything had been such a mess. Apparently, over the past few months, the former CEO and human resource director had been caught skimming funds by not paying the various vendors that catered to the facility in full. In an effort to cover up what they were doing, the pair had paid off the vendors with other funds from new resident deposits and then terminated the contracts. They’d been caught before they’d been able to bring in new vendors, leaving the facility without the promised amenities for a few weeks. The board was sending out notices to all of the residents to reassure them that both the CEO and human recourse director’s accounts had been frozen and the assets recovered would cover the losses.
Ashlee still couldn’t believe the amount of money Miss Paulette told her she’d be making. The job was so perfect for her and would never get boring. She’d already planned their first karaoke night her first week, along with another social media class.
Ashlee was dying to share the news with Beau, but she’d promised herself she wasn’t going to contact him in any way until he called her. If he called her.
Anxiety swirled around inside her, making her feel queasy. What would she do if he moved to Savannah without trying to see her? Could she really just let him go?
The answer was no. She couldn’t just let him go, but she couldn’t
force him either. Beau wouldn’t do anything impulsive. He just needed time to work through things, and she would give it to him.
The song ended, and she met her brother’s eyes in the rearview mirror. “Good work, brother. Looks like Phillip has another hit song.”
“You think?” he asked with a grin.
“Heck yes,” Addie said.
“Heck yes,” Isabelle repeated, making everyone laugh.
Chase made the final turn, and Ashlee could see Luke and Taylin’s house at the end of the road. She was excited to see her sister again, and wished they could spend a whole day doing nothing but talking. Taylin didn’t know anything about Ashlee’s mystery boyfriend or that he was Beau. Their reunion had been too brief the day before. Crew was cutting a tooth and was cranky and tired from the long flight home and the subsequent two-hour drive from the airport.
Besides all that, the focus had been on Ashlee’s unexpected haircut, her new job as the activities director, and the news of Chase and his family moving back to Mitchel Creek. There had been no time to sneak away and tell her sister about the incredible kisses she had shared with Beau.
“How many people are comin’ to this party?” Ashlee asked when they arrived at her sister’s house. She counted six cars already parked in the driveway.
Chase parked alongside their parents’ car and turned to look at her over his shoulder. “Taylin decided to include a few more people to celebrate your new job and my new job.”
“Like who?” Ashlee asked, scanning the cars again just in case she missed Beau’s SUV. She was in the dark on his plans and had no idea if he’d show up to the party or not.
“Miss Barbara and her neighbor are here.” Chase unclicked his seatbelt. “And Jackson and Sydney surprised us all by flying home from Hawaii early.”
“That’s sweet of Taylin to include them,” Ashlee said. She turned to unbuckle her niece while Chase went around to open the door for his wife. Her hands shook as she pried the buckle loose. If Beau’s grandmother was here did that mean her grandson might be coming too? She didn’t dare to let her hopes get up too much, but at least she might get an update on him.
“Just breathe,” Addie said before Chase reached her door. “Your face is the same color as your shirt.”
“I hope I don’t break down when I see Miss Barbara.” It was actually strange she hadn’t freaked out yet. Maybe it was the haircut or the job offer from Peach Tree Village, but she felt like she’d matured over the past two days. However, seeing Miss Barbara, knowing that she knew she and Beau had been dating, was going to be difficult.
“It’s gonna work out, Ash,” Addie said as the door swung open.
“I hope so,” Ashlee whispered to herself. She freed Isabelle from the car seat just as Chase opened the door for her. “I’ve got Izzy,” she said to him, holding her arms out to the little girl.
“Thanks,” he said, stepping back to let her scoot out of the car. “You sure you can carry her wearing those shoes?”
“Heck yes,” Ashlee said. They all laughed again when Izzy repeated the phrase. “It’s a good thing y’all don’t swear.” Ashlee rubbed her nose against Izzy’s. “Y’all would be busted for sure.”
Before they made it to the porch steps, the front door opened. “Yay, now the party can start,” Taylin said as she stepped through the door. She looked stunning in a tropical print T-shirt dress that showed off her curvy figure. Her long hair hung in soft curls, reminding Ashlee of what used to be.
“I want Crew,” Isabelle said, spying her cousin in Luke’s arms as he came up behind Taylin.
“Careful, baby girl.” Ashlee set the wiggling little girl on the ground and watched her make a beeline for the front door.
“I’m seriously thinkin’ about cutting my hair like yours,” Taylin said, coming down the stairs to hug Ashlee. “You look smokin’ hot, Ash.”
Ashlee embraced her twin and breathed in the floral scent of the perfume she and Taylin always shared. “I wouldn’t mind at all, but seeing your hair makes me feel like I’m half dressed.”
Taylin squeezed her before stepping back. “Speaking of being dressed.” She scanned the length of Ashlee, approval shining in her eyes. “I hope we still get to share clothes.” Her eyes dropped to the strappy pink stilettos. “And shoes. I definitely want to borrow the shoes.”
“Me too,” Addie said. “Chase may need to hand over his credit card again so we can buy another pair.”
“Y’all are gonna have to wait until I get my next royalty check,” Chase said, coming forward to hug Taylin. “I’m broke after yesterday’s shopping spree.”
After hugging Chase, Taylin patted Addie on her rounded tummy. “How’s my little niece doing?”
“Awesome, but she’s dancing on my bladder again.” Addie started up the stairs. “Make sure you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles before you decide to have a baby, girls. You’ll thank me for the advice when you’re eight months pregnant and can sneeze without peeing your pants.”
“Solid advice, babe,” Chase said with a laugh as he followed his wife inside the house. He stopped in the doorway and talked to Luke for a moment. They must have been talking about her, because Luke glanced at her and smiled before whispering something back to Chase.
“Did you and Luke have fun on your honeymoon?” Ashlee asked Taylin as they slowly ascended the stairs.
“We definitely had fun,” Taylin said, raising her eyebrows up.
“I didn’t mean that kind of fun,” Ashlee said, tapping her sister lightly on the back. “How was the private beach? The pics of St. John’s are so beautiful.”
“It was gorgeous. Luke and I want to go back every year on our anniversary.”
They reached the top of the stairs, and Taylin kissed her husband on the mouth. “Hey, handsome,” she said. “Everything ready?”
“Sure is.” He met Ashlee’s eyes and smiled. “Hey, Ash. You look beautiful.”
“Ah, thanks.” She reached up and hugged her new brother-in-law. “You kind of have to say that though, since I’m your wife’s twin.”
He laughed and let her go. “Congratulations on the new job,” he said, putting his arm around Taylin.
“Thank you. I’m really excited about it.” She caught sight of Miss Barbara coming her way and tried to mask the rush of emotions coursing through her.
“There’s my beautiful activities director,” Miss Barbara said, hugging Ashlee once she crossed the threshold into the house. “Congratulations, sweetheart.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Ashlee scanned the room, wishing she would find Beau waiting inside.
Miss Nora was next to congratulate her, giving her the latest update on her online romance. “He left yesterday afternoon to visit his daughter in South Carolina.” She pulled a new smartphone from her purse and showed Ashlee. “He bought me a phone like his so we can FaceTime each other while he’s gone.”
“I’m happy for you, Miss Nora.”
More friends and family greeted Ashlee as she mingled with the guests. The general consensus on her hair was that it was a good look for her. Everyone was so upbeat, Ashlee felt lifted up by their positive feelings. But her happiness was shallow, and the constant ache of missing Beau threatened to overtake her if she let herself think about the huge hole in her chest.
Sydney approached her with Jackson trailing behind her. They were each carrying a baby. The twins were dressed in matching outfits that were probably purchased in Hawaii.
“The babies are getting so big,” Ashlee said. “This is Hudson, right?” she asked Sydney.
“Good job.” Sydney gave her a one-armed hug. “You look really pretty. I love your hair.”
“Thank you.” Ashlee touched the end of her hair. “I’m getting used to it.”
“Wow, I like the new look,” Jackson said, standing next to his wife. “I didn’t recognize you when you first walked in.”
“I don’t recognize myself when I look in the mirror, but like I told Syd, I’m getting used
to it.”
“We heard about your new job,” Jackson said, shifting Logan to his other arm. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” She reached out and gently grasped the baby’s bare foot in her fingers. “I’m nervous, but really excited.”
They talked for a few more minutes until the babies started to fuss. “They’re starving,” Sydney said. “I’ll talk to you some more after I feed them.”
Luke and Taylin had started opening their wedding gifts while everyone filled up on plenty of good Southern food. Ashlee found a spot in the corner to watch them, wishing she could slip outside for a few minutes to get a breath of fresh air. It seemed like everyone had a significant other besides her.
She gazed longingly at the French sliding doors that led outside. Ashlee wished they would’ve had the party out on the deck. She wasn’t sure why they weren’t. The view of Plantation Lake was gorgeous this time of night. She wanted to take a peek out the glass doors, but the blinds were shut tight.
When Taylin and Luke opened the last gift, Ashlee got up from her corner and made her way to the French doors. She really wanted to go outside, even if it was just for a moment. Her mama stepped in front of her just as she was about to open the door.
“Hey, baby girl,” she said. “Did you get enough to eat?”
“I did.” She nodded her chin in the direction of the back door. “I was just going to step outside for a few minutes. It’s getting kind of stuffy in here.”
“Why don’t you go get your daddy.” Her mother’s gaze flitted away from hers to look over her shoulder. “He was just tellin’ me he wanted to do the same thing.”
Ashlee turned to see where she was looking and caught her sister vigorously shaking her head at their mother. Taylin stopped the second she met Ashlee’s eyes.
“I don’t see Daddy,” Ashlee said to her mother. “I don’t see Chase either.” She scanned the room and realized Luke was no longer standing next to Taylin.
Her mother took Ashlee by the elbow and guided her toward the bathroom just off of the kitchen. “I thought I saw a piece of lettuce stuck between your teeth, sweetie.” She turned on the bathroom light. “You might want to check.”
Blue Moon Kisses: Georgia Moon Romance Book 3 Page 28
