The Dream - Whitney Dineen Page 0,96
with. Aside from that unfortunate spanking thing, he feels like the perfect fit for me.”
“He’s okay giving that up?” I ask.
“Turns out he was never into it. His brother told him to read Fifty Shades of Grey claiming it was a how-to manual on how to satisfy a woman.”
“Oh, dear.”
“Tell me about it. I told him I couldn’t make it past page fifty and I like to consider myself adventurous. Now that we got that all cleared up, things have been smooth sailing.” She changes the subject and asks, “How about you and Davis?”
“There is no me and Davis,” I tell her.
“You owe it to yourself to hear the boy out, Ash.”
“I owe to myself to be involved with a man who isn’t friends with the enemy.”
“Girl, I’d throw my peas at you if I didn’t need them on my head so badly. Don’t be so stubborn. Buck and I aren’t the only ones who deserve a happy ending.”
I know my friend and I know she’s not going to give up, so I tell her, “I’m off to bed. You need me to help you into your room?”
“Nah, Howard and I are good here,” she says cuddling her scary-looking cat.” Then she warns, “I’m going to keep nagging you, Ash.”
“Sleep tight,” I say, ignoring her threat. She can nag all she wants, but it’s not going to work. I’m full speed ahead in my life. I’m not going backwards.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Emmie’s wedding day is beautiful and clear. The spring showers have given way to summer sunshine. I’ve seen Davis twice since the night we drove his grandmother back to Millersville Meadow together, the same night when I told him I didn’t want anything more to do with him.
Both occasions were at his parents’ house, and both times someone else picked me up and took me home after getting his grandmother settled. He kept his distance while we were there.
I bought a new dress for today. It’s a rose-colored silk tea-length affair that’s quite modest from the front, but the back that drapes down to the waist hints at another story. I hurry to throw my lipstick into my purse when I hear a knock on the door. I don’t know who’s picking me up today, but my money is on Jedd. I figure the uncle of the bride is the most dispensable person when it comes to a wedding day.
Amelia and her brothers are all in the ceremony and Gracie and Lee are probably running around like chickens with their heads cut off, seeing to the last-minute details.
So, imagine my surprise when I open the door to find Davis standing there. All ability to think, as well as my vocabulary, ceases to exist. Davis Frothingham in a tuxedo is, well, it’s just other-worldly stunning. He looks polished and perfect, but still a little bit wild.
He smiles almost shyly when he says, “You look beautiful.” His gaze feels like a caress as his eyes slowly and appreciatively peruse my body.
“What are you doing here?” I demand. I’m sure it would be more appropriate to thank him for the compliment, but I’m too shocked at seeing him to remember my manners.
“I’m here to collect you for the wedding.”
“Why you? I mean …” I pause to gather my thoughts before repeating, “Why you?” Clearly my thoughts don’t want to be gathered.
“Do you mean, why me?” He sounds amused.
“Don’t make fun of me.”
“I’m not, Ashley. I’m here because I told my family that I wanted to be the one to get you.”
“Why?” I’m a broken record.
“Just because.” He offers me his arm as he asks, “Are you ready?” The only reason I hold on to him is so my rubbery knees don’t give way.
As soon as we’re settled in his car, he turns on the radio. “I Melt with You” by Modern English blasts through the speakers like it did the first time we were in a car together. My scalp tingles and my palms go all sweaty. As much as I say I don’t want anything to do with Davis Frothingham, I know I’m lying. I want to be with him more than anything. I just don’t want to be with the version of him who’s friends with Chad.
The ride to the nursing home is excruciatingly long. Davis seems content to avoid awkward conversation. I certainly have nothing to say to him, but even so, I can still see him, and smell him, and feel the heat from him. I’m like a raw nerve