Ashley stifled a yawn. She’d stayed up way too late the last two nights trying to get as much of Derek and Claire’s binder interpreted as possible, forcing herself to look through it several times before texting Derek for information. His answers had been so cold and abrupt—but what did she expect at this point?
“Ash, look at me.”
She leaned against the railing and refocused on Bella and Shannon. “What? Sorry, I got lost in my own thoughts there for a minute.”
“We noticed.” The edges of Shannon’s eyes crinkled as her lips turned down.
“I just want to reemphasize what I told you last weekend. If all of this is too much, just go as simple as possible. Because the only thing I care about is marrying your brother.” Bella patted the seat next to her, and Ashley rejoined them. “Ben is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. He’s my family. He’s home. And I …”
Her gaze took in the ocean as Bella swiped at a tear.
Had Ashley ever seen Bella show this much emotion? The woman, who had originally come to town undercover in an attempt to buy Ben’s inn, had changed a lot in the months since Ashley had met her, but she still wasn’t given to crying.
Love could sure do funny things to a person, couldn’t it?
It had certainly put Ashley through the wringer—still did, every time she thought about Derek.
No, no, no. She didn’t love him anymore. He was different. They were different.
And he was in love with someone else.
Much as she wanted to read into a few little moments from their time together on Wednesday, that would be foolish.
Foolish—and dangerous.
She reached out and squeezed Bella’s arm. “We are so glad you’re becoming an official part of the family. I just hope you can handle all of us Bakers since we’re kind of a package deal. And crazy. Right, Shan?”
Shannon laughed. “You couldn’t escape us even if you wanted to. We kind of overrun the town if you hadn’t noticed.”
Bella let loose a chuckle. “Even if you all were horrible people, Ben would be worth it. I’m just grateful the whole lot of you is amazing.”
“I’m partial, of course, but I think we’re pretty great.” Ashley’s phone beeped at her—a calendar reminder. She checked it. “Sorry, guys. I’ve got to go to another client meeting.” Thankfully not with Derek this time. Just a last-minute appointment to finalize details for the Dreyfusses’ twenty-fifth wedding anniversary next Sunday.
“Not so fast.” Shannon lifted an eyebrow. “It hasn’t escaped the notice of the town gossips that you were seen in the company of Derek Campbell Wednesday night. And yet, you haven’t responded to any of my texts about seeing him again. How was it? How are you?”
Her cousin had skipped the family dinner on Sunday due to a migraine. So while she knew the basics—Derek was engaged—Ashley had yet to tell her that she was the one coordinating the wedding. And somehow, the town gossips must not have relayed that juicy tidbit.
Ashley straightened. “I’m fine.”
Bella folded her arms across her chest. “Derek. Ben’s friend?” At Shannon’s nod, Bella turned to Ashley. “Why is it a big deal that you were together? And why wouldn’t you be fine?”
“Because …” Shannon bit her lip.
Her cousin clearly didn’t want to betray Ashley’s confidence, but Ashley wasn’t going to keep secrets from Bella. They were almost sisters, after all. Besides, if Ben were to be believed, Ashley’s affection had once been obvious to the entire town. “Because I used to be in love with him.”
She tried—hard—to emphasize used to be.
If only she could convince herself.
“Oh. Wow.” Bella frowned. “I’m sorry.”
Ashley gave a half-hearted shrug. “Like I said … I’m fine.” Oy, that attempt at nonchalance had certainly fallen flat. “I have to be. I’m his and Claire’s wedding planner.”
Both Bella and Shannon sucked in air.
“How can you be fine with that?” Bella’s direct gaze bore into Ashley.
“I don’t think she is fine,” Shannon said, turning her attention back to Ashley. “You can’t be.”
“All right. It stinks. Happy? Now I’ve really got to go.” Before she was forced to endure any more of the pity in their eyes, Ashley stood. “Bella, let’s figure out another time this week to meet. Text me, okay? I’ll start working on this stuff ASAP.”
Protests ringing in her ears, she sprinted to her car, already regretting her sarcastic tone. Bella wouldn’t care but Shannon was a sensitive soul. Somehow Ashley would have to carve out time to talk—really talk—to her cousin. Soon.
But for now, it was on to the next thing. She drove to the Whimsical Weddings office. It was dark inside—Kyle must be working from home today—and she quickly flipped on the lights, lit a freesia-scented candle, and tidied up as she waited for Mrs. Dreyfuss to arrive.
After ten minutes, she frowned. Hmm. The woman was normally extremely punctual. Maybe she’d texted. But a quick glance at Ashley’s phone didn’t reveal anything, so she headed to her back office and picked up Claire’s binder. Might as well get some other work done while she waited.
An hour later, she’d managed to make a list of requests Claire had—some big, some small—and couldn’t help but wonder what it said about her and Derek as a couple. The kind of wedding she’d have imagined for Derek was anything but fancy. He was a simple, straightforward guy who didn’t care about the frills, so the fact they wanted a hanging flower installation over the dance floor and a nine-layer cake didn’t jibe.
Maybe he was telling the truth, just letting the bride decide everything. But most brides and grooms had some details that were significant to them as a couple. So far, she’d yet to see a single one.
The bell jangled over the front door. “Ashley?”
Guess Kyle had decided to come into work after all.
“Back here!” She closed the binder
