“You’re family … well you will be when Ashton finally walks you down the aisle, and that’s all that matters. You get to be the sister I never had and I’ve always wanted a sister. Instead I was given a brother who irritates the crap out of me.”
A bubble of laughter leaves my mouth, and I can’t help the tears that begin to fall at being welcomed into Ashton’s family with open arms. I’ve been in Alana’s home for just a little over a day now, and I’ve felt more love in the past twenty-seven hours with Ashton’s family than I have ever felt with my own—well, my mom and my brother anyway. He did love me, but in a skewered way that comes in the form of a psychopath.
Pushing away all bad thoughts of my fucked up family to the side, I force my focus on Mia, trembling with a smile as I do.
“I’d be honored to wear it, thank you, but I didn’t actually bring any shoes that will match that dress.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got it covered. Kudos to Ashton, he knows almost everything about you, including your shoe size. I’m surprised if Tyler even remembers the color of my eyes. I sometimes think maybe I picked the wrong brother.”
We all cry out in hysterical laughter, then from the hallway we hear, “They’re brown, babe!” which has Mia slapping her hands over her mouth stifling more laughter.
“Wrong! They’re blue actually,” shouts Mia once she’s controlled her laughter.
Suddenly Tyler’s head pops around the door with a beaming grin on his face. “Of course I know what color your eyes are, and that’s why I know they’re actually a mix between blue and green with little flecks of gold,” he states confidently with a beaming smile, and before she can say another word he’s gone.
Mia looks between the both of us with a huge smile on her face, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of content and love—the same head-over-heels smile I find myself doing every single time I think about Ashton or whenever he’s in my presence. “Okay, so … I guess I’ll keep him.”
Handing the dress to Alana, she pulls me into a hug and squeezes me tightly. “Thank you for helping today. I really appreciate it.” We eventually separate and she has to fight back another yawn. “Okay, I’m going to have a nap before I pass out. I’ll see you guys later.”
She turns towards the door when Alana stops her in her tracks and says, “Don’t forget about what Riley has planned tonight.”
Mia rolls her eyes. “I swear if there are any more strippers, I won’t have a maid of honor tomorrow.” I laugh at her mocked threat as she tiredly leaves the room.
Alana gently places the dress back into the garment bag and returns it to the rail, smoothing the bag down with her hand to ensure the dress doesn’t become creased.
“What does Riley have planned for tonight?” I find myself asking, a little less than thrilled at having to spend another evening with Ashton’s ex.
“Just a slumber party. I think after last night we need a relaxing night in, especially Mia—poor girl is exhausted with all of the wedding planning.” Yep … having a big wedding? I’m not convinced.
“A slumber party sounds perfect,” I agree. “So,” I begin after a moment of silence, “is there anything else you want me to do?”
“No, doll … you go and enjoy the rest of the day. I can do the rest.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind,” I say with an honest smile. Even though the whole wedding preparation has opened my eyes in a negative way, I have to admit I’ve had a pretty fun day hanging out with Mia. I’ve never had a girlfriend, or been the type of girl to ever be surrounded with friends; I’ve always been a loner, but today and yesterday at the bachelorette party, I realize just how much life I’ve missed. Hopefully that will change since I feel like I’ve already made incredible friends in Mia and Jo.
“I’m sure. You’ve done more than enough today. Go and find that handsome son of mine and enjoy the sunshine.” Her eyes glimmer with happiness, and with that I can’t get out of the guest room quick enough.
I change out of my Converse and slide my blister-covered feet into a pair of flip-flops before heading outside in search of Ashton.
As I walk out onto the veranda, I hear the sounds of splashing coming from the swimming pool, and when I squint my eyes through the bright sunshine, I see Ashton playing with Junior. I chuckle when I see Ashton lift him up into the air before launching him into the water. Junior rises from the water’s surface, giggling hysterically before shouting, “Again!”
I walk over to them and just as I’m nearing towards the swimming pool, I almost halt in my steps when I see Riley in the pool too, floating on an inflatable lounger watching Ashton and Junior with an amused grin on her face.
My calm interior flames up with jealousy as my eyes take in what she’s wearing—or the lack thereof. The bikini top barely covers her nipples and as for the piece of string that covers her bottom, it can hardly be classed as a bikini. It’s hardly appropriate swimwear to wear around a six-year-old or a man who’s engaged to another woman—me being the other woman.
Seriously what’s with this chick? She’s so fricking obvious; she might as well be wearing a flashing neon sign.
I’m just thankful that Ashton seems oblivious to her not-so subtle come-ons. It makes me less worried that my jealousy is anything other than my overbearing insecurities, and not something to actually be worried about. My teeth clench together as I step closer to the pool, but when I see Ashton smile at my presence, I manage to bite back my irritation with a matching smile.
“Hi, baby. Finally free from my mom’s torture, huh?” he says with a chuckle, and the sound of his laughter is enough to loosen my muscles from their tense stance. Although I can’t say I don’t miss the scowl on Riley’s face when her eyes finally latch onto me, it only lasts a split second before it’s replaced with a fake smile.
Focusing on Ashton, I laugh before sliding my feet from my flip-flops, perching myself on the edge of the pool. I dangle my legs into the water, sighing at how wonderful the cool water feels against my aching feet. He swims over to me and rests his arms on the tops of my thighs, his green eyes piercing into mine, the unique emerald hues even more breathtaking from the sun bouncing off the glistening water. My eyes roam over his broad shoulders and masculine chest, watching the droplets of water run freely along his skin before finally looking at his handsome face, which is now spread with a huge-ass grin.
“Are you checking me out?”
A giggle bursts from my lips as my finger disperses the water dews that linger on his shoulder. “Yeah. Do you have a problem with that?” I raise my eyebrow, my mouth tilting to the side with a smile.
“No, ma’am. You can check me out whenever you want,” he says with a mischievous grin. Small splashes can be heard and I look behind Ashton to see Junior paddling towards us.
“Uncle Ashton,” he begins, out of breath. “Throw me in the water again!”
Ashton pushes down both hands on either side of me and raises his upper body from the water, causing water to splash all over me in the process, and gingerly presses a kiss against my lips. My lips tingle from his mere contact as he sinks back into the water. Leaning back onto my hands, I watch with a contented smile as he swims towards Junior, lifting him over his head before throwing him into the water with a huge splash, the sound of more hysterical giggles coming from Junior when his little body remerges from the water moments later. After a few more times of throwing him into the water, Ashton decides to call it quits and Junior begins jumping in and out of the pool, much to my delight splashing Riley every time he bombs into the water.
Ashton leisurely swims back over to me, his fingers capturing my legs in the depth of the water, causing a gasp to leave my lips at the sudden contact. “You okay? You look a little tired. Late night?” he asks suggestively, knowing very well I had a late night … a late night with him. I can’t resist pushing at his chest with the tips of my toes before playfully splashing him with my feet. He glides closer to me, his fingers latching onto my legs again, his thumbs gently caressing against the smoothness of my skin.