then.”
“You have an hour,” he answers, unimpressed.
“Stop bossing me around.”
“Stop behaving like an errant teenager,” he fires back.
I lean in for a kiss. “You have to pump the clutch a few times to get the gas to come through.” I smile against his lips.
He pulls back and looks at me flatly
“And don’t go around the corners too quick because the driver’s door is faulty and it flies open sometimes,” I add.
His face drops in horror. “You’re joking?”
I smile as I kiss him again. “Yes, I am.”
He shakes his head. “Seriously, though, is this car going to kill me?”
I giggle. “I hope not. I’m not written in the will yet.”
He chuckles and shakes his head as he climbs out of the car. He leans down through the window. “Don’t be late, our flight leaves in five hours.”
“Okay, boss.” I smile and, unable to help it, I step on the gas and do a burn out up the street. I glance at the rear view mirror to see the horror on his face, and I laugh to myself. Oh man… he’s so fun to antagonize.
I pull the car into the shopping parking lot and dial Mom’s number. I’ve been waiting to make this call.
Owen answers on the first ring. “Hi, Momma.”
A broad smile crosses my face. “Hey, baby.” I laugh. “How’s my little man this morning?’
“Good.”
“Watcha doing?”
“Baking cookies.”
“Oh, what type?”
He puts the phone down. “What type are they, Grandma?” he calls.
“Chocolate chip,” I hear my mom say in the background.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“I’m just…” I pause for a moment. “I’m cleaning the house. Are you being a good boy and helping Grandma?”
“Yep. We’re going to the playground after lunch, too.”
“Oh, that’s fun.” I smile and my heart breaks a little. I miss him.
He starts talking to my mom as though forgetting he’s on the phone to me.
“Owen?” I call.
“Yeh?”
“I’m going to go, darling, but I’ll call you later tonight. I love you.” I smile.
“Love you, Mom. Grandma she wants you,” he says.
“Hello, dear.” Mom says through an obvious smile.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
“Everything is fine.”
“Did Owen sleep alright?”
“Perfect.”
I smirk. “In your bed?”
Mom laughs. “Perhaps.”
“Thank you so much, Mom. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to you for you doing this for us both.”
“Ash, stop worrying about us and have a nice peaceful week.”
My phone alerts me to a text before the name Cameron flashes across the screen.
“Okay, I’ll call you tonight.”
“Speak then. Have a great day.”
I hang up and click on my message.
You are grounded without wifi, young lady
I laugh out loud and text him back.
Your car was made to be driven like that.
A reply pings back.
That’s a whole different punishment:
I’m talking about the state of your car.
It’s a health hazard, Ashley!
I bite my bottom lip to stifle my over the top smile. I write back.
Quit nagging me.
I glance around at people walking by the car. I must look crazy laughing to myself while I sit in the car alone. A reply bounces back.
You have fifty minutes!
I get out of that car and press the fancy car lock. Everything bleeps and as I walk across the parking lot, I call Jenna. It goes to voicemail and I leave a message.
“Hi, babe. I hope everything is going alright. Call me as soon as you get a chance.”
I hang up and straighten my shoulders.
Right. Sexy hot date dress, coming right up.
The thing about shopping that annoys the crap out of me is this: When you have no money and nowhere to go, you see every damn hot outfit ever created. But, when you have no time and a specific target in mind, there is absolutely nothing to be found anywhere. I’m in a near panic. I have ten minutes left to find a dress for tonight and I’m starting to sweat.
Why is it so fucking hard to find a sexy, non-slutty dress?
I flick through the clothing rack, annoyed. Everything here screams that I’m a two dollar whore, or come grab a granny. There’s nothing in between. My phone rings and I glance at the screen to see one of my favorite names light up. Jenna.
“Hey.” I smile. “Are you okay?”
“Hi, Ash. Yes, it’s not as bad as they first thought. She’s going to be alright.”
I put my hand on my chest in relief. “Oh, thank God, Jen.”
“I know. She had us all scared for a while there but they think she’s going to make a full recovery.”
“That’s great.” I smile.
“I’m so relieved. What are you doing?”
I shake my head and