This Summer

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

“I...I...”

“Exactly” he sighed.

Without thinking twice I hugged him, my arms coiled around his neck and I stud on my tip toes. He hugged me back and started to stroke my hair with his hands.

“It will get better.” I told him.

“I know it will.”

“Does she know?” I asked him.

He nodded “I asked her to marry me.”

“You did what?” I asked surprised.

We both pulled away from the hug.

“I asked her to marry me, about six months ago and she denied. Will knew and as soon as she refused me he started to take her on dates made her feel special and then he proposed.”

“Well if you’re asking me, I’d have rather have married you than him.”

“But you’re not Ashley.”

“I never will be Ashley; you wouldn’t be the first person to remind me.”

“I’m sorry.” He replied in a genuine manner, “I’m just in a foul mood.”

I nodded. “So you took her on dates right?”

“Yeah, she was my partner for the end of year ball for the social elites; we exchanged numbers and dated for a few months but I think I fell to hard and too fast for her, I should have given her more time. We even managed to keep it out of the papers and magazines so not many people knew about us apart from close friends and family.”

“I know this may seem harsh but maybe you and Ash were never meant to be, maybe she was meant to end up with Will so you end up with somebody who will appreciate you more.”

“I guess you could be right. It just hurt a lot.”

“Ash hurts a lot of people without realising it. Your own brother though, that’s just low.”

“I know, he can be a nasty piece of work when he wants something somebody else has.”

“Bit like Ash, so in some sense they’re perfect for each other.”

“Hmm.” He agreed.

“Anyway I’m going back in; please manage a smile by the end of the evening.”  I turned and walked away.

❀✿❀

It was Sunday morning and somehow the wedding went absolutely perfectly, both sides of the family got on so well and the food was absolutely gorgeous. Ashley thanked me a fair few times during the night and all the speeches included banter and beautiful memories. I even managed to avoid all male species and stay sober throughout the whole night; it was easier than I thought it would be.

But today was the day where I would have to face one of the things I had feared would eventually come back after haunting me after all this time, Dale.

I quickly showered and plaited my hair wet knowing that the sun would dry it out in no time. I put on some high waited shorts and a pastel lilac tank top. I grabbed my car keys and headed to Chas’ for my morning shift before going home early and making sure everything was in check for Ashley’s honeymoon.

I walked into Iced & Sliced to be met with the buzz off customer conversation and Chas and Owen run off their feet.

“Morning guys” I chimed.