Chapter 16
Ashley had thought they’d never meet again, but fate favored Tanya. She and Chase were childhood friends, but he was never into her. The first time he saw Tanya, he fell for her.
“Ashley, are you okay?” her colleagues asked
“I’m fine.”
Cing her
pale face.
ouldn’t matter.
She and Chase would soon be divorced. Who he loved Ashley worked late. Around 9 pm, her phone rang–it was her best friend, Cindy, who’d had too much to drink. Ashley had to pick her up.
from Twenty
later, Ashley
arrived.
she
was going
in,
a
boy emerged
the
parking
lot.
minutes
Sam? Wasn’t he in LA? Had he come back with Chase? She knew Chase’s work in LA wasn’t finished. She thought this was a short trip, but even Sam returned… They must have been back for a while, yet he never called her.
Clutching her bag, she followed him. At the lobby, she saw Tanya with Chase’s friends. She hid behind plants and chairs.
“Sam, you’re back!”
me
We back!
came back
a day before your birthday!”
“Yes, Aunt Tanya! Dad finished work early and brought
“This is a necklace Daddy and I made! Happy birthday, Aunt Tanya!”
“Wow! You’re so sweet! Thank you, Sam!”
“I’m glad you like it!”
Sam
hugged Tanya.“I
missed
you SO
If much!
I hadn’t
called
you every
day,
I would have died…”
“I missed you too.”
Footsteps approached…
It was Chase. Ashley knew from his footsteps alone, because she’d waited for him for eight years. His gait was as steady and composed as he was. Even with his family, he remained calm, almost detached, seemingly unfazed by anything. She’d thought nothing could ruffle him. Then Tanya appeared.
