at Clayton then to me.
“Sure, son. Your mom and I will be here watching you play. Maybe we can hang out later if that’s okay with your mom.”
I nod. “It’s okay. Your dad can also come over with us for lunch if that’s what you want, Alex.”
“Yes. I do. Okay, I’m going back to play.”
“Have fun.” We shout to him and turn back to one another.
I let the silence between us build for a few beats before I turn to Clayton. “Would you like to go out to dinner tonight?”
“Yes.” He doesn’t hesitate to answer.
“Oh. Wow. That was fast.” I burst out laughing. “Yeah. So I guess pick me up around seven, and we’ll find a place to eat.”
“How about I get takeout and pick you up so you can come over. Alex hasn’t seen my place and I’d like to show him if that’s okay with you.”
“Sure. That sounds like a plan.” I clear my throat and make a mental note to get in with my wax lady. “Alright, it’s a date then.”
You are so lame, Ashley.
So lame.
Chapter 28
Ashley
The one thing I enjoy about dating is the preparation for the date. It shouldn’t be hard, and I shouldn’t be so nervous. I’m looking at the dress Leigh’s letting me borrow. It’s a mermaid style gold dress with some bling. It’s not a part of my normal attire, but it’s something different.
Like tonight.
As I’m sitting here in my white robe, my hair in curls, and staring at my almost finished face, my stomach flutters with nervousness, and it fills me with some happiness because we’ve reached this point where I can trust him.
I still don’t know how it happened. Seeing him with Alex and trying puts me at this point. My love for Clayton has never gone away, and watching him with our son, exemplifies my love for him.
He should be here in the next hour, and I want to be ready. I want his jaw to drop and for this night to be amazing. We deserve it.
Alex is with Leigh tonight as my mom’s staying with Dana during her pregnancy. I’m thankful she’s able to drop her plans to watch him and help me out.
I grab my phone and check the time and see there’s a message from Clayton.
Clayton: I feel like we’re teenagers again. I changed my shirt a few times. Is this what women do?
Ashley: Sort of. I’m nervous. I think it’s normal since we haven’t done this in a while.
Clayton: The best kind of nervous. How are you feeling? Besides nervous.
Ashely: Happy.
Clayton: Me too.
I let out a sigh and grab my deep red lip gloss, sliding the applicator across my lower lip, my eyes fluttering close as the memories of Clayton and me rush through my head. The ache between my inner thighs increases and I have to remember to breathe. Jumping on Clayton when he gets here isn’t lady like. As much as I want to be with him tonight, like really be with him, I know we shouldn’t cross that line right now.
When the hour hits, I hear the doorbell ring and give myself one last look in the mirror before going down the hall to answer the door.
My breath hitches as I open the door and see a very handsome Clayton before me. He’s holding a bouquet of white lilies and red roses, wearing gray slacks and a baby blue button-down shirt. I see every muscle in his abdomen when he shifts toward me.
Down, girl. Don’t jump him.
“You take my breath away. You did before, and you still do to this day.”
My cheeks turn red from the compliments. “I’m glad I can still do that to you. Are you ready?”
“I actually have a different idea. Let’s go to the back.”
I’m stunned, and my eyes open wide. “What’d you do?”
“Come on.”
When I follow Clayton outside to the backyard, I’m stunned. I’m standing in front of the beautiful setup he has.
“Your mom, Leigh, and I were here while you were getting ready. We were quiet. I’m surprised you didn’t hear us.”
My hands cover my face. “I was too busy getting ready and being nervous.” I laugh and look around, looking at the beautiful table setup and the twinkling lights around us. “This is beyond beautiful.”
“It’s all for you. Everything I do is for you, Ashley. The fact that you’re standing here, looking the way you do, it means more to me than you’d ever know.”
“This. What you did will mean more to me. More than