Page 6 of Echoes of Us
T he living room was a maze of half-packed boxes and scattered belongings, the kind of chaos that seemed to magnify the weight of moving.
Ashley folded the curtains with precise care, her movements unhurried but not entirely focused.
Across the room, Cole stood at the window, wrestling with a curtain rod that refused to budge.
The phone buzzed sharply on the counter, cutting through the quiet rhythm of their work.
“Can you check that?” Cole asked without looking back, his voice slightly strained as he tugged at the rod. “If it’s Harvard, take it. I’ve been waiting for a call all day.”
Ashley wiped her hands on her thighs before stepping down from the stool. The screen lit up as she reached for it: Office – Harvard.
“It says Harvard,” she called over her shoulder.
“Perfect. Can you grab it for me?”
She swiped to answer, her voice calm and composed. “Hello?”
“Ashley?” The voice on the other end was warm, familiar in a way that caught her off guard. “I wasn’t expecting to reach you!”
Her brow furrowed. “Yes, this is Ashley. Who’s calling?”
“Ezra,” the man replied easily, the name rolling off his tongue like an old friend’s would. “Is Cole around?”
Her grip on the phone tightened. Ezra. The name wasn’t unfamiliar–it had surfaced a few times over the years, casually mentioned but never dwelled upon. Cole had spoken of him the way one might speak of a distant relative: significant enough to remember, too far removed to explain.
“He’s tied up at the moment,” she said, her tone even. “Can I take a message?”
“I was just hoping to catch him,” Ezra said, his tone light. “I found myself in the area and decided to swing by his office at Harvard to surprise him. The receptionist told me he was on PTO, so I figured I’d try calling here instead.”
“You’re in town?” she asked, the words slipping out before she could think them through.
“Just for tonight,” Ezra replied. “Gone tomorrow morning. I was hoping to catch up with Cole while I had the chance.”
The words hung between them for a moment, the ease in Ezra’s voice at odds with the tightness building in her chest.
“You should come over for dinner,” she said finally, the invitation slipping from her lips as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
There was a pause, brief but telling, before Ezra replied. “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”
“It’s no trouble,” Ashley said, her voice smooth. “Cole and I would love to have you.”
Ezra’s laugh was bright, unguarded. “That’s fantastic. I’d love to. Thank you.”
After exchanging details, Ashley ended the call and placed the phone back on the counter. She turned to Cole, who was now crouched by the window, fitting the rod into a box with meticulous care.
“Who was it?” he asked without looking up.
“Ezra,” she said, her tone measured. “He’s in town and coming over for dinner.”
The rod slipped from his hands, hitting the floor with a dull thud. Cole froze, his shoulders stiffening as he slowly straightened.
“Ezra,” he repeated, his voice carefully neutral.
“Yes.”
She watched him closely, the way his jaw tightened, the flicker of something unnameable passing across his face before he smoothed it away. His gray eyes lifted to hers, searching as though trying to gauge how much she knew.
“You didn’t mention he was in town,” she said softly, crossing her arms.
He opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came.
“You didn’t think I should meet him?” she pressed, her voice calm but laced with an edge she didn’t bother to hide.
Cole exhaled slowly, raking a hand through his hair. “Ashley–”
“He’s your friend, Cole,” she said, her voice steady. “Shouldn’t I have met him by now?”
For a moment, silence stretched between them, heavy and unyielding. Then Cole’s shoulders dropped slightly, his hands falling to his sides.
“Ashley–wait,” he said, but Ashley had already turned on her heel and walked out of the room, leaving to prepare their home for dinner.
* * *
The kitchen hummed with the faint sound of simmering sauce and the clink of utensils as Ashley made final adjustments to the table settings.
It had taken her forever to make the house look presentable, given that they were in the middle of packing.
Boxes lined the walls, and every available surface seemed to bear some reminder of the chaos of moving.
She paused, smoothing a wrinkle in the linen tablecloth, her mind half-occupied by the growing knot of unease in her chest. Across the room, Cole leaned against the counter, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His jaw worked in silence, the tension in his frame as rigid as the silverware she had just placed.
The doorbell rang, slicing through the taut silence. Ashley straightened, wiping her hands on her apron, and cast a quick glance at Cole. “I’ll get it!” She exclaimed.
Cole didn’t respond. Instead, he reached for her, pulling her into a deep, searing kiss. His hands tightened around her, one sliding lower to grasp her behind with a possessiveness that sent a jolt through her.
“What’s gotten into you?” she asked, her voice breathless as he finally broke the kiss.
For a moment, his hands tightened around her waist, refusing to let her go. “Nothing,” he murmured, his voice low and rough.
Ashley shook her head, her cheeks flushed as she turned toward the door, her heart racing.
Standing on the porch was Ezra– a tall, broad-shouldered, and effortlessly charismatic man.
His tousled, dark blond hair caught the faint light from the porch, and his sharp blue eyes sparkled with a disarming energy.
He wore a tailored gray blazer over a navy shirt, the casual yet refined ensemble giving him the air of someone who thrived on first impressions.
“Ezra,” Ashley greeted, extending a hand.
Ezra grinned, ignoring her hand entirely as he stepped forward to pull her into a brief, warm hug. “Ashley, it’s so nice to meet you finally. Cole’s been hiding you far too long.”
Ashley chuckled lightly as she stepped aside to let him in. “I’ll have to take that up with him,” she said, closing the door behind him. “Welcome, and sorry for the mess.”
“What mess? This is a beautiful place,” he said, his smile curving wryly.
“Though I can imagine it’s been a bit of a challenge to keep things looking decent while packing up.
I was half-expecting to find boxes stacked to the ceiling and maybe a path carved out to the kitchen through piles of books and bubble wrap. ”
Ashley smiled, though her cheeks warmed slightly. “It’s been an adventure, to say the least,” she admitted. “But we managed to clear enough space for tonight.”
As they entered, Cole straightened from the counter, his face settling into a polite but distant mask.
“Ezra,” Cole said, stepping forward. His tone was cordial, though his shoulders remained stiff. “Good to see you.”
Ezra extended his hand with an easy grin. “Good to see you too, Westwood. It’s been way too long.”
Cole shook his hand briefly, then gestured toward the dining table. “Let’s sit. Ashley’s put together a great meal.”
The three of them settled into their places at the table, the warm scent of roasted vegetables and herbed chicken filling the air. Ashley poured wine for the men, keeping her smile steady even as she noticed the tension radiating from Cole.
“So, Ezra,” Ashley began, aiming to ease the atmosphere, “Cole tells me you’ve been working in tech?”
Ezra nodded, swirling his wine with a practiced air. “That’s right. I’m with a startup here in Boston. We’re working on AI-driven analytics for healthcare. It’s intense but exciting. Definitely keeps me on my toes.”
“That sounds fascinating,” Ashley said sincerely. “What inspired you to get into that field?”
Ezra leaned back slightly, his expression turning thoughtful.
“Honestly? A mix of curiosity and necessity. Back in college, I was always intrigued by systems–how they work and how they fail. After graduation, I saw this huge gap in healthcare data–tons of information but no efficient way to use it. So, I dove in. It’s been a ride, but a good one. ”
“Ezra’s always had a knack for seeing gaps,” Cole interjected, his tone even but edged with something Ashley couldn’t quite place. “Sometimes he even filled them.”
Ezra’s smile twitched slightly, but he held Cole’s gaze. “And sometimes I had help,” he said, his voice smooth. He turned to Ashley. “Cole and I worked on a few ‘projects’ back in the day. Let’s just say some late nights probably shouldn’t be shared over dinner.”
Ashley chuckled lightly, glancing at Cole. “I’m sure you two were quite the team.”
Cole’s fork hovered over his plate for a moment before he set it down carefully. “Team’s one way to put it,” he said, reaching for his glass. “Ezra’s always had a talent for … improvisation.”
Ezra’s grin widened, though his eyes stayed on Cole. “Improvisation’s just another word for thinking on your feet. But you know that better than anyone, don’t you, Westwood?”
Ashley glanced between them, sensing the subtle shift in tone. She decided to steer the conversation back to safer ground.
“Ezra, do you have family in Boston, or is it just work bringing you here?” she asked.
Ezra relaxed slightly, turning his attention to her. “Just work, though I’m starting to appreciate the city. It’s got its quirks, but it grows on you. What about you, Ashley? I hear you’re a counselor?”
Ashley nodded. “I work as a grievance counselor. Mostly with families who’ve experienced loss or major life changes. It’s challenging but rewarding.”
Ezra’s expression softened. “That’s incredible. I can’t imagine how emotionally demanding that must be. How do you manage to keep yourself balanced?”
“It helps to have a good support system,” Ashley said, glancing at Cole with a small smile. “And to remind myself that the work isn’t about fixing things, but about helping people navigate their own paths.”
“Sounds like you’ve got a good head on your shoulders,” Ezra said warmly. “Cole’s lucky to have you.”
“I’m the lucky one,” Ashley replied lightly, though she noticed the way Cole shifted in his seat at the compliment.
“Oh, Cole’s always been lucky,” Ezra said, his tone dipping into something that sounded almost teasing. “From acing Physics 201 to ... well, some of his other escapades. You ever hear about the time he hacked into the campus–”
“Ezra,” Cole said sharply, his voice cutting through the room.
Ezra’s eyebrows lifted slightly, but he quickly recovered with an easy laugh. “Relax, Westwood. Just reminiscing.”
Ashley’s curiosity flickered, but she chose to let it lie, sensing the tension in Cole’s demeanor. Instead, she shifted the topic again, asking Ezra about his startup’s recent projects.
Ezra reached for the wine bottle, tipping it slightly toward Ashley’s glass. Cole’s hand moved with quiet certainty, covering the rim before the wine could pour.
“None for her,” Cole said evenly, not looking up.
Ezra paused, the bottle still in his grip, his sharp blue eyes flicking between them. His expression shifted–a flicker of curiosity blooming into full understanding. The room seemed to tighten around the moment.
“Ah,” he said, at last, setting the bottle down with careful precision. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze settling on Ashley, studying her as if seeing her anew. “You’re… you’re pregnant?”
Ashley glanced at Cole, who sat rigid, his expression inscrutable. “Yes,” she said softly, her hand brushing her stomach instinctively.
For a moment, Ezra’s features seemed to freeze, the easy charm slipping from his face. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table as he fixed his gaze on Cole. “Wow,” he breathed, a quiet edge sharpening his tone. “I didn’t expect… that.”
“Why wouldn’t you?” Cole replied tersely, his voice low.
Ashley frowned, her gaze darting between the two men. “It’s good news,” she said, her voice soft but firm, surprised at both men's reactions. “We’re happy.”
“Of course,” Ezra said quickly, sitting back and running a hand through his hair, the familiar grin returning, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Congratulations. That’s… that’s incredible.”
“Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl yet?” he asked after a beat, his voice lighter, though his gaze remained sharp.
“Girl,” Cole said suddenly.
Ashley blinked, startled. “Cole means he hopes for a girl,” she clarified, her hand resting protectively on her bump. “We don’t know yet.”
Ezra nodded slowly, his grin faltering as his eyes lingered on Cole. Something unspoken passed between them–a silent, charged exchange. Then, as if breaking through an invisible barrier, Ezra’s voice dropped. “Dale’s death anniversary is coming up, isn’t it?”
Cole shot to his feet, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. “It’s late,” he said brusquely. “Ezra needs to go.”
Ignoring him, Ashley turned to Ezra, her brow furrowing. “Really? When is it?”
“Tomorrow,” Ezra said softly, his tone almost reverent. “September 6th. It’ll be exactly a decade since the accident, but Cole already knows that. I wonder why you don’t.”
Ashley froze the words settling heavily in the space between them.
September 6th. Tomorrow. Her gaze flicked to Cole, who had gone rigid in his chair, his grip tightening around his glass.
Suddenly, the pieces clicked together with an almost audible snap.
He wasn’t just visiting Margaret. He was going to see her on Dale’s anniversary.
The realization sent a wave of heat through her chest–shock, embarrassment, and something sharper she couldn’t quite name.
“I find it interesting you’re having a baby together and she still doesn’t have a clue who you truly really are, Cole,” Ezra added, visibly worked up.
“Enough!” Cole barked, his voice sharp and unyielding. “Ezra, a word.”
Without waiting for a response, Cole strode toward the living room, tension radiating from every step. Ezra hesitated, glancing at Ashley, who sat frozen, her expression a mix of confusion and hurt.
Ezra stood, offering her a faint, apologetic smile before following Cole out. Left alone at the table, Ashley felt tears prick her eyes. Her hands trembled as she clasped them tightly in her lap, her thoughts spiraling.
She knew the man she’d been with for the last five years, didn’t she?