They arrived at the Frosted Cake, and Derek opened the door, indicating she should go in first. Murmuring her thanks, Ashley stepped into the diner, greeted by swirls of delicious down-home cooking. Once upon a time, this had been merely a bakery, but its owner had expanded the menu without bothering to change its name. The bright and cheery place was booming, not unusual even for a Wednesday night such as this, and there was a line to get seating in the dining room. Thankfully, the To Go counter didn’t appear quite so busy.
Ashley moved in that direction, and when Derek appeared beside her, she couldn’t help but breathe in the woodsy scent of his cologne. At least France hadn’t changed the way he smelled.
Josephine Radcliffe swept toward them, her shock of white curls framing a round, smiling face. “Derek Campbell, is that you? You look a whole foot taller than the last time I saw you.” On the wall behind her, starfish and netting hung on the edges of the chalkboard menu.
Derek chuckled. “I’m pretty sure I’ve been done growing for about ten years now, Ms. Josephine.”
The café owner tapped the end of her nose. “I know what I’m talking about, so you just best believe me. What’ll it be tonight?”
Once they’d put in their order, Ashley perused the pastry case while Derek hit the restroom. Behind her, the café door opened and blew in a breeze.
“Ashley? Hey!”
Ashley turned to find two of her favorite people in the world. “Hey, Mad. Hey, Evan.”
Madison Price stepped forward and gave Ashley a hug, then pressed back into her boyfriend’s side. “Working late again? You want to join us for dinner?”
“No, I’ve got plans, actually.”
Madison lifted an eyebrow behind the purple, large-framed glasses she sometimes wore. “With who?”
“Just a client.” Her friend was so busy with the newly reopened library these days, Ashley hadn’t had a chance to update her on Derek’s arrival. “Besides, I wouldn’t want to intrude.” With Madison’s new job and Evan working as Walker Beach’s head community developer, overseeing the Christmas festival committee, and studying to become a physical education teacher, the two didn’t get to see each other as much as they’d like.
“You sure?” Madison’s nose scrunched.
“Yes. I’m fine.”
Derek stepped back into the room.
Ashley peeled her eyes off of him and looked back at her friend. “And like I said, I have plans.”
Madison and Evan swiveled their heads at Derek’s approach, and Evan’s face broke into a smile. “Derek! How are you, man?”
Meanwhile, Madison fixed Ashley with a look—one that asked all sorts of questions Ashley couldn’t answer. “A client, huh?” Her whisper hissed between them.
“Shhh. I’ll explain later.”
Derek reached forward and shook Evan’s hand. Both guys were handsome and fit, though Derek was a bit taller with broader shoulders, while Evan had a leaner build indicative of the baseball player he’d once been. “I’m good, dude. And you?”
“Busy as ever, but things are good.” Evan squeezed Madison’s waist. “Better than good. This is Madison, by the way.”
“I feel like we’ve met. Weren’t you friends with Ashley in high school?”
“Yeah, she was just about my only friend. I wasn’t exactly Ms. Popular like her.” Madison’s eyes danced with mirth.
“Oh, whatever.” Ashley shook her head. “You were just shy.”
“Something like that.” Madison poked Evan in the ribs, a look passing between them before they laughed.
Ms. Josephine called their number and Ashley stepped forward to accept the paper bag with a thank you. Rejoining the group as they chatted, she caught a mention of the beach festival taking place at the end of the year.
Evan nodded to Ashley. “I’ll see you at the meeting on Saturday, right?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.”
A moment of silence hung among them, and Ashley held up the bag of food. “Our order’s ready.”
Derek shook himself. “Oh, great.” He turned back to Evan and Madison. “Nice to see you both again.”
“Likewise, man,” Evan said. “We should hang out sometime. I know Ben’s looking for help remodeling some rooms in the inn so they’re ready for the summer season.”
“I’d love to help if it fits in my schedule. Just text me.” He nodded to Ashley. “Ready?”
Her blood flashed hot at the word—and the way he said it low, as if only meant for her ears. “Yep.”
They said their goodbyes and headed out the door and toward the beach. Not too far away, a couple sat in front of a bonfire, which provided enough light for Ashley and Derek to choose a spot on the pristine sand to settle into. Tonight, the moon and stars were partially obscured by clouds, and a breeze blew up from the ocean.
Ashley shivered. She should have brought a sweater.
“Here.” Derek shrugged out of his blue long-sleeved shirt, which he’d rolled to the elbows. Underneath, he wore a plain white T-shirt.
“Oh, no. I’m fine.”
He held it out to her. “Don’t be stubborn. You’re cold.”
She frowned, but took the soft shirt from him, and as she did, their fingertips brushed. Shivering some more, she pushed her arms through the holes and settled the shirt over her shoulders. The cologne she’d smelled earlier now surrounded her, and she caught hints of melon and sage that she’d missed before. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” Reaching into the bag from the Frosted Cake, Derek pulled out a few clear to-go containers and handed her one. “So, you’re helping with that festival Evan was talking about? The one that’s supposed to help the economy recover from the earthquake?”
She cracked open her container and smiled at the turkey club and pickle spear sitting inside. There was such comfort in the familiar, and Ms. Josephine’s food was one of them. “Yes, I’m kind of running the show. Evan’s doing a lot too, but it’s only part of his job.”
Derek took a bite of his burger and chewed, staring out at the breaking waves. “And you’re also working full time and helping Ben plan his wedding?”
“And hopefully buying the wedding business from my boss in a few months.” Chomping down on
