Page 25 of Third Time Lucky

LUCY

‘Oooh, isn’t he fancy – driving a white Range Rover? What a stud.’

I laugh. ‘Please don’t use the word stud around him.’

‘Why not, darling?’

‘I just— can’t…’ I shake my head, worried about three people and their mouths now: Aaron, Madi and Mitzi. This could be super-fun or overly humiliating – let’s pray for the former.

‘All I’m saying is that the man drives a nice car, it means he’s not some sponge.’

‘Sponge?’

‘Sixties slang, darling. Brandon was a sponge.’

Blech. Why’d she bring him up? Not that I disagree, but…

‘No sponge either,’ I say in a sing-song voice, making her laugh.

‘Picky, picky,’ she says, stopping suddenly to turn my way. ‘Lucy,’ her tone changes to one I know well, motherly. ‘It seems as though you don’t want me to embarrass you because you might be feeling something for Asher?’

‘What!?’ I say, glancing at her and knowing right away she’s not buying it.

She nods her head, staring me down. ‘I understand. He’s only handsome, talented, and respectful. What’s there to love?’

‘ Love ?’ I practically choke on the word. ‘I mean, sure, I don’t disagree with anything you just said; he is all those things. I’m just trying not to get in over my head here. Of all people, you should understand. You’ve nursed me back from heartbreak twice now.’

‘Very true. But I know you, darling.’

That she does, which is why it’s hard to lie to her.

‘Mitzi, you look lovely this evening. You were right, that is the perfect dress.’

She’s wearing a lilac dress adorned with delicate lace and embroidery of the same color. The fabric drapes loosely over her slight frame, a constant reminder that she is slowly diminishing with age. But in my eyes, she remains timeless.

Her lips are painted a warm pink, adding a touch of vibrancy to her otherwise mature appearance.

Her long, graying hair is carefully styled into a sleek low bun at the nape of her neck, accentuating the graceful slope of her shoulders.

As I admire her, my heart aches at the thought of losing her one day.

She’s been my rock through all of life’s ups and downs.

The mother I never had, and she’s never hesitated to take on that role.

After Vegas, she worried about me. I swear she paced a path from her room to mine, checking on me so often. She brought me coffee, scones, tea and cakes and would climb into my bed and turn on a movie that reminded me you can love after heartbreak. But I wasn’t convinced it was worth it any more.

As days turned into weeks and weeks into months, I slowly began to see a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

I was worth so much more than Brandon’s asswipe ways made me feel.

And it was Mitzi’s gentle nudges and quiet strength that guided me back to a place where I could envision happiness again.

As the seasons changed, so did I, thanks to her constant presence by my side.

* * *

‘Ladies,’ Asher says, stepping out of his car in all black – jeans, T-shirt, shoes and even a suit jacket.

‘Wow, you dressed up?’

‘Mitzi was a low-key starlet in her youth,’ he says as if I don’t know.

He extends a hand to her. ‘I Googled you, young lady. You’ve got quite an impressive résumé.’

‘Thank you, sweetheart,’ Mitzi says, carefully maneuvering the front steps, her hand in his. ‘I’ve had a wonderful life.’

‘Gotta dress the part, I figured. Good?’ Ash asks, glancing back at me.

Too freaking good.

‘Young, hot, Portland chef,’ Mitzi says. Out loud . ‘Lucy and Google were right about you.’

I laugh nervously as Asher’s brows raise in curiosity.

‘That’s the phrase I simply suggested she enter into Google that got you hired. I didn’t realize she was going to tell you, so that’s only slightly embarrassing.’

He looks elated to hear this, and his smile is so sincere like he’s genuinely here because he really wants to be.

Just like he was on prom night. I thought I’d spend the night bawling over our loss like we had the week of the funeral, but he never once stopped being fun, so I had no chance to dwell on what I’d lost. We just danced and had a great time.

My gosh, I think he’s right – that wasn’t a pity date for him.

Once Mitzi is buckled into the front seat, he turns, and I’m practically next to him when he does, so we end up closer than intended. He stops, not backing away but leaning in.

‘I’m sorry you have to sit in the back.’

‘It’s OK,’ I say, through nervous laughter, climbing past him into his SUV.

He flashes me an adorably flirty smile before closing the door and hopping into the driver’s seat.

As we drive through the city, the lights of downtown Portland flicker like stars against the night sky.

Ash’s choice of music fills the car with a mix of old classics and modern beats, creating a comfortable atmosphere that makes it easy to forget the world outside.

Mitzi sits in the front seat, chatting away with Ash about her past adventures as a young starlet, while I can’t help but steal glances at him when he’s focused on the road.

A couple of times, our gaze meets in the rearview mirror, and the static once again fills my insides.

I wonder if he’s feeling it, too? He seems to read my mind, so I wouldn’t doubt it.

Asher manages to park on the street only a block from the dance. Not sure how that happened, but lucky for Mitzi because she’s wearing kitten heels, and I’d hate to make her walk blocks.

The warm summer breeze carries a gentle mist from dozens of bubble machines as we approach, Mitzi on Ash’s arm and me off to his side.

‘This looks fun!’ Mitzi coos, as she admires the bubbles floating lazily through the air.

‘This is cool,’ I say, stopping next to them.

Silhouettes sway to music only they can hear because everyone is wearing big bulky headphones in front of a small open-to-the-sidewalk bar with a counter labeled: Music to Go.

A garage door has been rolled up into the ceiling, revealing standing tables scattered across the sidewalk outside.

Bartenders expertly mix drinks, filling to-go cups with vibrant liquids.

The air is sweet with hints of vanilla and citrus, thanks to the bubbles.

String lights zigzag above us, connecting the building to a closed second-hand furniture store across the street.

It’s like stepping into a sparkling wonderland where fireflies have come to life and dreams are made real.

‘Very Portland,’ Ash replies with a smile. ‘Full disclosure, until recently, I haven’t danced since prom.’

‘Until recently?’

He looks stunned at my words.

‘Uh, that part was supposed to be silent. I didn’t mean— oh, what the hell. Aaron offered me a dance lesson and I may have taken him up on it.’

‘That Aaron,’ I ask, spotting him and Madi across the dance floor, off to one corner, grinding like they’re in a dark club.

Ash grimaces. ‘Yeah… that one. But we didn’t practice the art of scaring a woman.’

‘Sure…’ I laugh, but I’m reeling. He had his brother give him a dance refresher course? Is that what he’s saying? For me? No.

‘Maybe you should run now,’ he kids.

‘You guys made it!’ Madi exclaims as she wakes from her daze and spots us. ‘And you brought Mitzi!’ she says, gently giving her a hug. ‘Great idea.’

She’s looking adorable in a flowing skirt slit up the front, crop top, flip-flops and her hair pulled up just on top. The oversized black headphones stand out, and she has one ear uncovered so she can hear.

‘Don’t you seem happy!’ I say, noticing immediately. ‘Could it be this guy?’ I ask under my breath as the guys greet one another behind us.

‘Perhaps…’ she drawls. ‘I think I feel things for him—’ she leans back, her jaw dropped.

‘North or south?’ I ask.

She drops her chin staring me down with shock on her face, not wanting to give me the details right now but if I had to guess, I’m thinking north. Wow. That, I didn’t expect.

‘Fine, tell me later,’ I whisper.

‘OK, how does this work?’ I ask. ‘We’re SBDP virgins.’

Ash chuckles. He’s standing close enough that I can feel his warmth, giving off the impression to others that we’re a couple – on a date with my grandmother. It’s totally not weird.

‘Easy-peasy,’ Madi says. ‘Go to the MTG counter, check out three sets of headphones, and pick one playlist; they’ll sync you.

They have dozens to choose from – from hits of the year to genres – even mood playlists – everything you can think of.

Then grab your drink and come back here to dance with us! ’

Asher leans in close to me, his cologne filling my senses. I swear it’s the scent you imagine Portland to have: blackberries, cedar, sweet tobacco and rain. I can’t get enough of it. ‘But do we have to speak in acronyms all night?’ he whispers.

‘IDK,’ I tease.

He pokes me in the side with his finger, activating the fireflies again.

‘What’s the problem?’ Madi asks, picking up on our conversation.

‘MTG?’ I inquire.

She laughs and points toward the counter. ‘Music to Go,’ she clarifies.

‘Where’d Aaron go?’ he asks. ‘He was just here.’

We all look around, our gaze stopping near one of the rooftop-mounted bubble machines and we see him dancing under a waterfall of bubbles without a care in the world. Eyes closed, headphones on, he’s lost, pumping his hands in the air and swaying his hips like the tune is something sexy.

‘Never mind,’ Asher chuckles. I grab three drinks and let Asher and Mitzi rent our headphones and pick our playlist. As soon as we put on the headphones, the music starts playing in our ears, transporting us into a world where only we exist.

‘May I have this dance?’ he asks Mitzi. ‘I’m coming back for you soon,’ he tells me as she accepts.

He leads her to the dancers, swaying to the beat, letting Mitzi lead him for a bit. He’s doing remarkably well, until he isn’t.

Before I know it, he’s doing the sprinkler before pretending to rope me in. He’s a tornado of awkward limbs and exaggerated movements, but he wears his lack of grace with a pride and confidence that makes it endearing.