Page 13 of Third Time Lucky
LUCY
What a freaking loser I am! Ugh. Why can’t I stop thinking about this?
I flip on my bedside lamp, hoping the light will chase away the thoughts from my past that are now storming my head after the awkward night I just endured, refusing to let me sleep.
It doesn’t work. But you know what might?
More booze. I’m sure I’ve had enough, because my mind evaded me most of the evening, while champagne filled my word hole.
It was a disaster. I can’t imagine what Asher thinks of me.
I navigate through the dark house to the kitchen, unsure if I truly want to drown my thoughts or face them head-on, flipping on the lights over the kitchen island. It doesn’t really matter which bottle I choose – Mitzi has exquisite taste, and I know every one is exceptional.
As I close the wine fridge after making my selection, I notice a business card held up by the yellow smiley face magnet on the refrigerator – something I hadn’t seen before.
Which makes sense because everything from earlier now feels surreal, like I was outside my own body watching two trains collide.
Grabbing the card, I read the words aloud. ‘Asher Wright – Private Chef unsure I should even mention him but unable to keep the words in because it feels like he’s standing in the same room with me.
‘Do you think Kris would be disappointed in me?’
‘Um…’ He hesitates. ‘Why would he be disappointed?’
‘Because I chose an obvious loser to marry and, if it weren’t for you, nearly went through with it without a clue.’
‘He’d probably be more ready to kick the guy’s ass for you.’
I sit up. ‘You think?’
Ash laughs softly. ‘I remember an unfortunate teenager named Grant who followed you around until Kris chased him through town to a cemetery and threatened that he may never leave.’
‘Oh my God, Grant! I’d forgotten about him! Poor kid. For the record – Kris did apologize after I made him.’
‘I remember. Look, Lucy, one thing I absolutely know, is that Kris was smitten with you. You could do no wrong in his eyes. And I think deep down you still know that. He was so in love with you that I had to set a rule limiting him to gushing over just one cute thing you did each day.’
A slightly tipsy chuckle escapes me. He was annoyed that Kris would gush about me? That’s sort of adorable.
‘Really?’
‘Yeah – otherwise, he’d endlessly go on about how he was the luckiest guy for finding “the one” at sixteen.’
‘He thought I was “the one?”’
Of course, I knew this, Kris told me, but hearing he shared it with his friend is unexpected. I didn’t realize teenage boys had such conversations. I take a deep breath, caught between the warmth of remembering and the ache that it brings.
‘Never doubt that Kris loved you. If he were still here, he still would. As for Brandon – well, even the smartest of us make mistakes. Lord knows I’ve made some.’
It’s quiet for a moment before I finally reply, my voice soft. ‘Thank you for telling me all this. I needed to hear it.’
‘Anytime, Luce, anytime.’
There’s a heaviness in the air, a weight of shared grief and understanding that somehow feels comforting and raw at the same time.
Ash clears his throat, breaking the silence that had settled between us.
‘And I promise things won’t be as awkward the next time I cook for you, because now I know to serve the wine first,’ he says with a laugh.
‘Ha-ha. And I promise I won’t call you in the middle of the night again while drinking.’
‘Actually, feel free. I enjoyed this. Is that weird?’
‘You enjoy talking women off cliffs after midnight?’
‘Not all women… But you’re welcome to call me at any hour, anytime.’
‘OK… thanks. I guess I’ll see you when I see you,’ I murmur, my words trailing off as the rich, velvety wine begins to weave its gentle spell, clouding my thoughts and pulling me irresistibly toward the comfort of my pillow.
‘Day after tomorrow,’ he says. ‘Sleep tight, Lucy.’
‘Night, Ash.’