“I wanted to make you breakfast, to let you know how glad I am that you’re home, you know, in one piece.”
“Thank you, Ash. You didn’t have to do that, though,” I said, snatching a piece of bacon off the plate.
“I know, but I wanted to, not only cause I’m glad you’re here but to celebrate.”
“Celebrate what?”
“Well, while you were out getting yourself kidnapped and held hostage, I found a place to live.”
“There’s no rush, Ash. I like having you here.”
“Aww, I know, babe, me too. Being here, I mean. That’s what makes it so perfect. Are you ready?”
“Ready for what?”
“Ta-da,” he said, holding out his hands to the side. “Meet your new neighbor. Well, not neighbor exactly, across the alley neighbor if that’s a thing. Is that a thing? Oh, I don’t care, I’m calling it a thing.”
“Across the alley neighbor?”
“Yeah, you know Jordan’s been watching the real estate in this area hoping to buy the townhouse on the end, or at least one next to his brothers. Well, he was in the middle of a deal to buy the one right behind Ryan. He was planning on telling everyone at the next Sunday linner. Anyway, just as they reached an agreement, he found out the one on the end down there is going to be available. At first, he was going to back out of this deal and buy the other, but then he decided to go ahead and buy it and rent it out…to moi.”
“Are you serious? When do you move in?”
“I have to check with Jordan, but he was talking like right away. He wants to get this one squared away so he can focus on the other one. Mine’s move-in ready, but I guess he has to do renovations to his townhouse.”
“This is so exciting,” I said. We would have all three of Roman’s brothers nearby, and I would have Ash right across the alley. This was perfect.
“I know. You know how small my place was. This is like a for-real-house-house. I’m so excited.”
“You can come over and hang out in my hot tub.”
“Do what now?” Roman said, entering the room. “Did I hear something about a hot tub?”
“Yeah, I want to put one on the terrace we’re putting on the garage roof.”
“You want to put a hot tub on top of the garage?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t think we can do that.”
“Oh, I’m sure we can. I have no doubt we can find a way.”
“We’ll have to see about that,” he said. “I just got off the phone with Jordan. I understand you’re going to be moving next door to us, Ash.”
“I am. Do you want some French toast? I even have some yummy homemade whipped cream. I figure you deserve it, and it was the least I could do since you saved my best friend.”
“That sounds delicious.”
We took our seats and stuffed ourselves with bacon and French toast covered in fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Just as we were finishing up, someone knocked on the door.
“I’ll get it,” Roman said. “I can’t eat another bite. Ash, it was delicious.”
We got up and started to clean the kitchen, but we barely got started before Roman called me. I put down the plate I was holding. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to my parents, and I sure didn’t want to talk to any reporters, but I didn’t think he would call me if it were any of them. The police maybe with more questions? Only way to find out was to go see. I rounded the corner to find Becca standing there. As soon as she saw me, she rushed to me and threw her arms around me sobbing.
“I am so so sorry,” she kept saying over and over.
“Shhh, you don’t have anything to be sorry for,” I said, rubbing her back. “Come on, let’s go sit and talk.”
“I’ll help Ash,” Roman said, leaning over and kissing my forehead before he left us alone.
I led her down the stairs to the basement because that couch was the most comfortable place in the house. Once we were situated, I said, “Becca, none of this was your fault.”
“But it was because of me he was able to get close enough to leave you all those letters, and I told him where you were,” she practically wailed.
“You were supposed to marry him, Becca. Of course you would trust him. Again. Not your fault. The important thing is you sent me help, and I’m