Page 53 of Third Time Lucky

‘What can I help with?’ Ash offers, finally offering his brother help, removing his jacket and hanging it on the back of the office chair.

A garment bag hangs on the door, most likely containing Aaron’s outfit for the evening.

‘The two of you can set the table for two on the roof. Light the candles. Set the mood. Maybe some soft music – the eighties are my decade. And here put the gift I bought her on her plate.’

Again, he attempts to launch an item my way, but Ash grabs it first.

‘Are we really in a toss-shit-around sort of hurry?’ he asks.

‘I’m nervous, I’m sorry. I’ve never tried to be romantic,’ Aaron says with guilt plastered on his face.

He bought her a gift?

‘If it’s any help, I know Madi pretty well, she’s going to love this, I promise.’ I take the box from Asher. ‘What did you buy her?’ I ask, thrilled for Madi that he’s going all out.

‘A gift, flowers, wine and these bourbon balls she goes on and on about…’ He points a finger in the direction of each item.

He’d have had her going steady with just the wine and bourbon balls.

‘Well, this is a jewelry box,’ I say, glancing at Ash, wondering what kind of talk these two had to motivate all this.

I lift the lid, and nestled on a velvet cushion is a delicate necklace with a glistening sapphire – her birthstone. It catches the light and shimmers as I admire it.

Aaron’s eyes soften as he gazes at the piece, over my shoulder, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

‘Aaron, this is beautiful,’ I exclaim. ‘She will adore it.’

‘You think so?’ he asks, sounding uncertain. ‘Is it too soon for jewelry?’

I shake my head. ‘Darling, it’s never too soon for jewelry,’ I say as if I’m Mitzi. It’s just something she would say. ‘And you’ll be the first to ever go this route. That’ll be big for her.’

‘I am fucking good!’ he exclaims, pumping his fist in the air. ‘Damn, I’ve got a real talent for this romance shit.’

Ash squeezes his fingers together. ‘So close,’ he chuckles. ‘You realize you’ll have to one day top all this.’

‘What? Why?’ he asks, panic on his face.

‘Because you’re setting the bar high, my friend.’

He looks at me, with sympathy. ‘He didn’t buy you jewelry yet, did he?’

I lift a shoulder. ‘He wrote me a love note. It’s good as gold, trust me.’

‘Pffft. Loser,’ he teases his brother.

As we make our way up to the rooftop to set up, I can’t help but feel a rush of excitement for Aaron and Madi. Our first real date was up here, and I’m never going to forget a second of it.

The city lights twinkle below us as Ash and I work together to set the table. A gentle evening breeze tousles my hair as I attempt to light the candles, finally getting them lit, creating a romantic ambiance under the starlit sky.

Ash’s fingers brush against mine as we arrange the wine glasses, sending a jolt of electricity through me. I glance at him and catch his eye, a soft smile on his lips.

‘Is it wrong that I’m more excited to leave here with you than help them?’ he asks.

‘If it is, we’re both headed to the lake of fire because I’m feeling it too.’

‘Even the lake of fire would be a good time with you,’ he says.

‘It’s the company, not the location,’ I say, repeating something Mitzi once said.

‘Exactly.’

Once everything is set up to perfection, Ash steps back with a satisfied grin.

‘I think we nailed it,’ he says, glancing over at me.

I nod in agreement, feeling warm in my chest, knowing that we’ve helped create something special for our friends. ‘Reminds me of our date up here,’ I say, feeling like it was years ago because so much has happened since.

Just then, the door to the roof creaks open, and Aaron steps out, looking transformed in his sleek black suit. His eyes light up as he takes in the scene before him.

‘Well, well, well,’ Ash says with an approving nod. ‘Look at you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this way before.’

‘Right back at ya, bud.’ Aaron nods, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. ‘Looking pretty dapper, aren’t I?’ he chuckles.

‘Hell, yeah,’ Ash says.

And I guess that’s how men compliment one another.

‘When will she be here?’ I ask.

‘Any minute,’ he says nervously. ‘After we’re settled, I expect you both to disappear,’ he instructs, pointing toward the door. ‘Exit the whole building.’

‘That won’t be a problem,’ Ash says, grinning my way.

‘I’m sure we’ll be able to find something to do,’ I tease, my gaze on the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.

‘Enough of the lovesick bedroom eyes,’ Aaron says, straightening up the gift on Madi’s plate.

‘Lucy, you wait for her downstairs and bring her up when she gets here. I’ve plated the food; all you’ll need to do is bring it up.

Ash, make two drinks, something fancy and pretty for her and a double on ice for me, whatever you choose. ’

He’s planned this out like he might have heavy feelings for her, and I love every second of it. Madi is going to be thrilled he’s gone to this much effort to prove he’s not just into her naked.

‘Consider it done,’ Ash says as if he’s Aaron’s butler.

The two of us return downstairs, and I hover by the front door, awaiting my best friend.

I watch Ash mix a couple of cocktails, shaking them skillfully to prove he has mastered the bartender field, because he knows I’m watching, and it’s totally hot, then he expertly pours them into pretty glasses before making two more, presumably one for him and another for Aaron.

‘My lady,’ he says, handing me one of the cocktails. ‘I tentatively named this one “The Lucy” because it’s sweet, pretty and relaxing. Tell me what you think.’

‘Really?’ I ask, loving his definition of me. I think relaxing is a good thing. ‘I didn’t see this in your email for the menus.’

‘I wanted to wait to see if you like it first.’

I take a sip and nearly go weak in the knees. Something raspberry with a lemon round setting on the top of the pinkish purple liquid. ‘That is to die for, what is it?’

‘It’s a raspberry lemon drop, and the vodka is infused with lavender.’

I take another sip, tasting every flavor. ‘Also known as heaven.’

‘Which is exactly where we’ll be disappearing to later. I’ll be back for you in a few,’ he says, sipping the drink he made for him before carrying the other two up to the rooftop.

When I see Madi, looking gorgeous in a bright blue fitted dress, practically skipping up the sidewalk, I open the restaurant door before she can even knock.

‘Welcome to Fire and Spice,’ I say as if I work there.

‘What are you?—?’

I laugh at her shock of seeing me. ‘Just helping out a friend,’ I say, hooking my elbow through hers and leading her toward the stairs to the roof.

‘Wow,’ she says, glancing around the place. ‘This is gorgeous. Can you believe they own this?’

‘Totally cool, isn’t it?’

‘Yes. How do I look?’ she asks nervously. ‘Too much boob?’

‘You know who you’re here to see, right?’ I ask with a laugh. ‘I’m sure it’s exactly the right amount of boob.’

‘I’m a little on edge,’ she says. ‘And I don’t know why, because I wanted this. Love is terrifying.’

I nod, completely agreeing. ‘We’re never truly ready to meet someone who turns our world upside down and makes us vulnerable, are we?’ I ask, using her words against her from the day she secretly set me up with Tanner.

She smirks. ‘I know. I know.’

‘Can I just tell you one thing before you see him?’

She breathes out a nervous breath. ‘As long as it’s not bad and if it is, necessary.’

‘Nothing bad. Truthfully, I think Aaron might be a diamond in the rough. And watching him set this up, I can see that he really, really likes you.’

With my words, she beams. ‘Luce, I love him.’

‘I know. Tanner told me and you know he’s never wrong.’

We both laugh. That was certainly something I didn’t expect.

‘Don’t be nervous, OK? He’s done a lot to make this perfect.’

‘No promises,’ she says as we reach the door to the roof. ‘What’re the chances that we – best friends – fall in love with brothers? Oh my God, we could have a double wedding!’

‘Slow down,’ I laugh. ‘Let’s savor the journey. For now—’ I twist the knob, opening the door, ‘— enjoy this…’

Her eyes widen in surprise at the sight before her – probably exactly the same way mine did when Ash first brought me up here. The flickering candlelight, the elegantly set table, and Aaron standing in his best suit with a nervous, yet hopeful, expression.

‘Ma’am.’ Ash hands her the beautifully crafted cocktail, and she smiles gratefully, her gaze moving around the scene before landing on Aaron.

He freezes in place, his eyes widening as he takes in the sight of her.

Madi’s face lights up in a radiant smile as she sees Aaron standing there, a look of awe on his face.

This is so stinking cute. I glance at Ash, and he’s mesmerized by them, too.

Is this how we look to others? If so, I don’t hate it.

‘This is amazing,’ she whispers, her voice filled with emotion.

‘You look beautiful,’ Aaron breathes out.

Madi blushes, a soft giggle escaping her lips. ‘And you look so handsome,’ she replies, stepping closer to him and straightening his tie.

That’s our cue. We leave the roof, and I do as I was told, bringing up the plates of food and delivering them without them ever noticing, as their eyes are only on one another.

* * *

As I get back downstairs, the chandeliers are sparkling, the bar is glowing, and our graffiti wall looks amazing bordered above and below with black lighting that makes it stand out amongst everything – we made that.

‘What do you think?’ Ash says, walking around the corner from the kitchen into the dining room. ‘This is the first time I’ve had it lit like it will be when we’re open.’

‘It’s gorgeous. If this is what the inside of your head looks like, I’m in the right place.’

He pulls his phone from his pocket and taps at the screen, the room filling with the sound of our youth. A song we danced to at the prom all those years ago.

‘Going all out with the memories, are ya?’

We glide across the floor without a plan or skill, just moving with one another however feels right.

‘I’d say Aaron inspired me, but that was all you.’

Good, God. This man. ‘Are you going to be sweet like this always, or…?’

‘Or nothing. This is for always, Luce. I’m not even trying; this is just me around you. I’m in love with everything about you, remember?’ he asks as if he needs a reminder.

‘I remember everything,’ I say, repeating back the phrase he used as he tried to convince me that prom way back when was not a pity date. He just wanted to see me smile.

He kisses me softly, sweetly, sliding a hand up my neck and only pulling away for a second before pecking another on my lips. ‘I’ve been wanting to do that all night.’

‘You and me both,’ I say, licking the taste of Jack Daniel’s from my lips. ‘I sort of wish we’d have re-met years ago.’

‘That would’ve changed where we are right now. And I love where we are. I love who we were. I love most of where we’ve been. But the universe had plans for us and the fact that we’ve been through what we have set us up for this moment,’ he says.

Be still my heart. This man.

‘This may sound completely ridiculous,’ he continues. ‘But I was sort of wondering if maybe you wanted to be my official girlfriend?’

He looks worried, as if there may be a chance I’d say no. Is he insane?! I’m having to stop myself from cartwheeling through the room right now.

I look up at him, my heart swelling ten sizes as I meet his gaze. He truly loves me; I’ve never been surer of anything.

‘Ash,’ I say, my voice barely above a whisper. ‘I would love to be your official girlfriend.’

He pulls me into a tight embrace, holding me close as if never wanting to let go. And I hope he never does.

‘You know, I was going to tell you this last night, but we got— busy,’ he laughs. ‘Anyway, you were right.’

‘About what?’

‘That was a thirtieth birthday I’ll never forget. It may have been chaotic and confusing, but it brought me the greatest gift I’ve ever had – you. From here on out, all my birthday wishes will be about you.’

No. Now , be still my heart.

‘If we’re being cheesy – and FYI, I sort of like cheesy love – you should know that every star I wish on will be about you,’ I say in return.

They haven’t failed me yet, so why stop now?

As we sway together in the empty dining room, I feel like everything has fallen into place.

Aaron and Madi’s love blossoming on the rooftop (in a place I can’t see) only adds to the magic of this evening.

And so, feeling like the luckiest woman in the world, I rest my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart under the soft glow of the restaurant lights.

This is my happy place. And I never saw it coming.

Not in a million years would I have guessed that Asher Wright would be the one to make me believe in love again.

He’s unlocked a part of me that I never thought was possible – a love that is pure, strong and secure.

I don’t know the right words to describe how I feel right now – content, loved, in love, safe and blissful – all at once.

But whatever they are, that’s exactly how I always want to feel in Asher’s arms.