“Don’t I wish. I actually need to leave soon to get an online test done tonight, and she’s got new books in that need to be cataloged and shelved. It’ll be a lonely night for both of us.”
She could so relate. But at least they had each other. Who did Ashley have?
It didn’t matter. She didn’t need a man. Like Aunt Jules, she was content to be independent—and soon, a business owner. Living out her dream.
“I hope the test goes well.” She stood. “I’d better talk to the chairs before they take off.”
Walking around, she spoke with the heads of the sponsorship, events, and marketing and communications committees, answering questions about what she needed from them within the next month. The festival wouldn’t happen until the middle of December, which was still seven months away, but those months would fly by quickly.
She steeled herself for the last conversation, but when she looked for Heather Campbell—the head of the volunteer coordination committee—Derek’s sister was nowhere to be found.
Ashley’s lungs released a breath.
“Here.”
Turning, she found Madison behind her, holding two plates of apple pie à la mode. “What’s that?”
Mad rolled her eyes and set the plates down on the table Heather and Alex had vacated. “What does it look like? Ms. Josephine said she could tell all the way from the kitchen that you needed a pick-me-up.” She slid into a chair, and Ashley joined her. “I think she must have heard the Queen’s comment.”
“That was terrible, wasn’t it?” Ashley stabbed the pie, scraping her fork along the top of the fluffy ice cream. “Most of the time I love living in a small town. But other times …”
“You can’t let the gossips get to you. Isn’t that what you told me when I first came back to town?” Madison took a bite of the pie and moaned. “Oh man, you’ve got to try this.”
“I shouldn’t. I ate like five desserts with Derek yesterday.”
Madison glanced down at her own plate, poking the flaky crust of her pie. “About that. When were you going to tell me that he was engaged? I mean, I heard it from others, but why didn’t I hear it from you?”
Sucking in a breath, Ashley laid a hand against her forehead. “Madison, I’m so sorry. Things have been … but that’s no excuse. I didn’t mean to keep it from you, I promise.”
“I’ve been busy too with the reopening of the library, so I understand.” Madison fiddled with her fork and stared down at her pie, her lips twisting into a frown.
What was wrong with Ashley? Mad was one of her best friends. She should have made time to at least call her sometime in the two weeks since Derek had made a reappearance in her life. It was bad enough she’d been avoiding Shannon’s and Bella’s texts and questions about Derek since their meeting a week ago. But to have forgotten to tell Madison altogether? “I really am sorry.”
“Just tell me now. What’s going on?”
Forget what she’d said before. A sugar-laden pick-me-up was exactly what she needed. Ashley shoveled a bite of pie into her mouth. Then, ensuring her voice was low enough that others in the room wouldn’t overhear, she updated Madison on the entire Derek situation.
“The good thing is that yesterday we finally seemed to get past the awkwardness, which should make things easier. It felt like things were back in friendly territory, you know?” Ashley dragged the last morsel of pie along the plate, soaking it in melted ice cream before scooping it up. She hadn’t tasted a single bite. Considering Ms. Josephine had baked it, that was a pure crime.
“Oh, Ash.” Madison set down her fork and reached across the table, touching Ashley’s arm. “It sounds to me like things between you are anything but friendly.”
“I know he treated me kind of coldly at first, but really. Yesterday was better.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
The restaurant had mostly emptied of committee volunteers, but a few early birds had headed in for dinner. Walker Beach’s sheriff sat at a corner booth deep in discussion with the owner of the only bank in town. Out of the corner of her eye, Ashley spied Bill and Dottie Wildman, an adorable elderly couple who had just celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Bill pulled out a chair for his wife, who pinched his bottom and sat down before he had a chance to swat her hand away.
Ashley averted her eyes and breathed past the tightness in her chest.
“Have you thought about telling him how you feel?”
“Are you crazy?” Oops. She hadn’t meant to say the words so loudly. Ashley glanced around, grateful when no one seemed to be looking their way. She lowered her voice. “He’s engaged. Plus, if I mess this wedding up, I can kiss my chance of owning my own business goodbye.”
“Taking over Kyle’s company isn’t the only way you’ll ever own a business.”
“But it’s the best chance I have anytime soon. Starting a business from scratch takes a lot of time and money, and I don’t have either of those right now.”
“So figure out a way to get some things off your plate.”
Madison acted like it was so easy. “Too many people depend on me. I can’t let them down.”
“If you’re always doing stuff for other people, you won’t have time for your own dreams.”
“That feels selfish.”
“It’s not. You’ll be a lot happier and a lot more capable of giving to others if your own well is full.”
Madison would know. Since she’d taken over as the town’s head librarian, there had been a new light in her eyes. Or maybe that had something to do with Evan.
Probably both.
Much as Ashley loved her friend, this conversation was getting them nowhere. “I’ll think about it, promise.” She glanced at the time on her phone. “I should go.”
“So you’re not going to come clean with Derek about your feelings?”
“He’s engaged, Madison.”
“It’s not like he’s married yet.” Her friend’s eyebrows drew together. “Ugh,
