The Dream - Whitney Dineen Page 0,33
a couple.
I rush through my after-work routine wanting to get over to Buck’s to lay eyes on him.
He answers almost immediately and whistles under his breath when he sees me. “Be still my heart. Once I’m across the threshold, he picks me up and spins me around before dipping me in one of his famous Dancing with the Stars moves.
“Alexander Buckley Freeport, why didn’t you tell me you were coming to town?” I demand. His grandmother always called him Buck because she thought it sounded more manly. He uses Alexander Freeport as his professional moniker.
“Because I didn’t know I was coming until Wednesday. I got an email from the management company telling me they wanted to rent out the trailer and they needed to know when I was going to clear it out.”
“Why are they in such a rush? You’re paying for it.”
“I’m sure they want more than my grandmother was paying. With my current project, I can pretty much do my job anywhere, so I hopped online and scored a last-minute ticket. I decided to come on home and get it over with.”
“You look good,” I tell him. And he does. Goth Buck is history. Successful businessman Alexander has taken his place. My friend has grown into his tall frame. Gone is the gangly scarecrow physique of his youth. He’s quite gorgeous now, with his thick dark hair and piercing gray eyes.
“You look pretty fine yourself, Miss Ashley,” he lays on a thick Southern accent like he’s playing a part.
“You will never in a million years guess who’s moved back to Creek Water?” I demand.
“Janine?” he tries.
“Not a chance.”
“Then it’s Melody.”
“Nope. Mel is happily married raising twin daughters in Kansas City.”
“I hate to point out the obvious, Ash, but me, Janine and Melody were pretty much your only friends.”
“Ouch.” I tell him, “This person is more of interest to you than to me.”
“All right, I’ll bite. Who is it?”
“Jessica Holt.”
“Really?” The look of curiosity on his face is clear. “I can’t see her deciding to live in Creek Water. Do you know why she’s back?”
“Please. I saw her twice and both times she acted like she had no idea who I was. She probably doesn’t, which is kind of insulting considering how much time she spent making my life miserable in high school.”
“Where did you run into her?” he wants to know.
“I saw her in the bathroom at Filene’s the first time. Then she came over to talk to the person I was eating with.”
“Filene’s? You’re living large these days, huh?”
I smile at him coyly. “I’m helping out one of the residents at the home by accompanying her on visits to see her family.” Here I go breaking confidentiality again, but I have to tell Buck. “It’s Davis Frothingham’s grandmother.”
“No!” The grin that overtakes his face indicates he knows exactly how excited I am by this.
“Davis took me to dinner because we didn’t have a chance to finish our meal before we had to take his grandmother back to the home.”
“Ashley Monroe, are you and Davis an item?”
“I’ve barely had any contact with him since we graduated from high school.” Then I admit, “He doesn’t even remember me.”
“Liar. There’s no way he’s forgotten who you are.”
“Well, he doesn’t act like he remembers me.”
“Have you come right out and told him?” he asks.
“No, but I shouldn’t have to.”
“If you haven’t brought up your shared history, why do you think he should?”
I decide a change of subject is in order. “I bet Jessica is going to be at the country club spring fling with her parents tonight.”
My friend’s eyes twinkle. “Interesting. What do you say? Should we get dressed up and go?”
“We can’t,” I exclaim. “Neither one of us are members.” The thought of crashing the event is equal parts terrifying and exciting.
“You’re right on that account,” he agrees. “But one of us is a member of the press and might just be writing an article on springtime in the American South.”
“Are you really?” I ask.
“I am now. Go on, put on something pretty and I’ll do the same. Let’s go crash ourselves a party and see what our high school crushes are up to.”
I have no idea if Davis is even going to be there, but I can’t help wanting to see the look on Jessica’s face when she gets a load of Buck. I’m one hundred percent sure she’ll have no idea who he is. Not only does he look totally different, but his name isn’t even the same.