I wasn’t sure who I was in our relationship anymore. I’d never in my life policed my words more than I was doing right now. Normally, I would just tell Asher what I thought, and if he got angry, I’d apologize and we’d move forward.
Not anymore.
It felt like Asher had one foot out the door, and if I said the wrong thing, he was going to walk the rest of the way through and out of my life forever. Losing Asher was the last thing I wanted to happen.
Me:Anything I can help you with? Cake? Decorations? A venue?
I sent off the text. I doubted he’d take me up on anything. Truth was, he knew more about this town than I did. But if having a task kept me around him, then I’d do the research necessary to deliver for my friend.
Asher:Let me sleep on it, and I’ll get back to you.
My body grew heavy as I read his words. I was exhausted, and talking to Asher, even though we didn’t really say much, helped me feel better. At least I knew he didn’t hate me. He was willing to respond to my texts, which was more than I got when he was in New York.
I was going to count this as a win.
Me:I’m tired, too. I’ll talk to you in the morning?
Asher:Yep.
I nodded as I moved to text him. This was a good sign. There just might be a chance of us salvaging our friendship.
Me:Good night
Asher:Night
I smiled as I turned off the TV before I gathered the half-empty bag of chocolate and my phone. I stood and made my way into the kitchen to stash the chocolate until the next time I needed it.
I yawned as I walked into my bathroom. I brushed my teeth and slipped on a satin bonnet. Just as I snuggled into my bed and pulled my comforter up to my chin, my phone chimed again.
I flipped to my other side and picked up my phone. The screen turned bright as I read the text Asher had just sent me.
Asher:Put some ibuprofen and a glass of water on your nightstand for the morning. You’re going to need it.
I smiled as a sense of normalcy settled around me. I reread his text a few times before I sighed and set my phone face down on my nightstand. I closed my eyes and snuggled against my pillow as I let my body sink into the mattress.
Asher was still Asher, and maybe, just maybe, we were going to make it through this.
* * *
When the shrillringing of my phone cut through my sleep the next morning, I slammed my hand down on it like it was an alarm clock. Of course, my phone didn’t care and continued right on screaming at me.
I didn’t want to answer a phone call this early on a Saturday morning, but the person was insistent, so I groaned and turned to my side before I reached over and picked up my phone.
“Hello?” I asked after I swiped the bar and brought my phone to my cheek. I didn’t care who was calling. I just wanted to get this phone call over with so I could go back to sleep.
“Ella?”
I frowned. “Gloria?” I pulled my phone from my cheek and glanced at the screen. Sure enough, it was Gloria. “Why are you calling me so early?” I asked right before I yawned and rolled to my back.
“Did you forget about my text from last night?”
I squinted my eyes for a moment as her question rolled around in my mind. “About the wedding article?” The cobwebs of sleep were finally clearing from my brain so I could think straight. “No, no. I remember.”
“Then why are you in bed?”
I frowned. This felt like a strange riddle. “Because I was up late last night and I’m tired.”
“I told you that you are going to be covering everything. We’re giving you as much real estate in the paper as you need.” She sighed. “If you can’t handle this, then I’ll just find someone els?—”
