by Sophie Meyer
Aldon threw his head back, smiled and took out the card in his packet with her name on it right then. First he put all the stars in his packet on it, then he pulled out the pencil and started writing.
“See what I’m writing on your card!” he said as he showed it to her, “Look no further! I’ve found her! She’s the One!”
Ashley wanted to smile back, but at the sound of those words, a sudden wave of terror engulfed her. Could something be really happening here? Were those exercises working? Was it even remotely possible that Aldon could be the groom? The thought of it made her so dizzy that she had to get out of there fast. Tomorrow was Shane’s pre-engagement party and she couldn’t go with her head in a whirl. She had to get home and calm down right away.
CHAPTER 16
Ashley didn’t call Ray when she got home. She wanted to settle in quietly and sort things out on her own. Aldon was definitely interesting to her, she was excited to have met him, turned on. But, how could it be that he wrote on her card that she was the One? He really knew nothing about her. Ashley had heard that some people recognized their wives or husbands the first minute they saw them, like a flash of knowingness out of the sky. She certainly didn’t feel that way about Aldon, just thought he was handsome and delightful to talk to. They’d had a good time and she was ready to go on the next date.
Ashley could see the danger of getting too excited, losing perspective and getting carried away because she was planning a wedding and needed a groom to show up for it, fast. That could definitely cause her to become overly interested in the first guy who would look great in a tux. She had to think this through carefully. If worse came to worse, and no groom appeared, what would be so bad about telling people that he panicked at the last minute? And, then, if everything was set to go, why not just go ahead and have a great party, groom or no groom. Women had been left at the altar before, was it really such a tragedy? Ashley would thank people for coming, keep a smile on her face and suggest they enjoy the food and music, find something else to celebrate. But, of course, things wouldn’t get that far, something had to happen to stop the wedding preparations long before that. Ashley was sure of it.
It was good being home now. Ashley straightened up a bit and then drew a warm bath, poured in lavender bath oils and submerged herself in it for a long time. It was a favorite way of relaxing, helped her put everything into perspective.
Soaking there in the bath, her thoughts drifted back to Aldon again and again. He was definitely handsome, sexy, agile. But, she knew it would take time to find out who he really was. She and Scott had also felt excited when they first met, but things had developed slowly and that had really been important to her. First they became good friends, knew every little thing about each other before one night it suddenly turned into romance. That was probably why the relationship lasted such a long time, she mused. And it was probably why they could let each other go when the time came.
Ashley started to doze in the bath, but woke herself up, climbed out and decided to go to bed early, so she could be fresh for Shane’s party tomorrow.
*
Shane’s pre-engagement luncheon was being held in a restaurant that had once been a barge, and was now moored out at the edge of the water. The guests were seated at a long table, looking delighted to be together. Shane and Doug’s parents came from the same town and had known each other for years. Ashley knew them all as well and felt like part of the family.
“I’m so thrilled to see you Ashley, darling, “Shane’s mother hugged her extra-long, when Ashley arrived. Growing up, Shane’s mother had been like an aunt to her. “Believe me, your time will come soon, too,” she whispered before she let Ashley go.
Thankfully, Shane hadn’t said a word to her family about Ashley ‘engagement. Shane was letting Ashley do that herself. Shane had a wonderful sensitivity that Ashley had always valued and which meant even more to her these days.
This afternoon Shane looked particularly radiant in a pink flowered chiffon dress, with the beautiful azure earrings that Doug had bought her. She proudly sported her huge diamond engagement ring, showing it to everyone for the first time. The response was all anyone could have hoped for.
Ashley briefly glanced down then at her own bare hand. She’d never thought of it much before, didn’t care a lot about jewelry, but with her own wedding being planned she’d become incredibly aware of these details.
A chamber quartet at the restaurant played in the background, as the sound of the waves lapped up against the shore. Shane and Doug made the rounds, thanking each person for coming, and spent just the right amount of time with everyone. The two of them looked like the model couple, fulfilling everyone’s hopes and dreams. Shane looked particularly delighted when she announced that the wedding would be on the Isle of Capri.
“It will be totally romantic and magical, “said Shane, breathless “We can’t wait to have you all join us for our joyous occasion. It won’t be the same without you there.”
Ashley would certainly be there, and so would her family. She looked up then and saw Jessica just arriving, a little late but looking lovely in an ivory satin suit. As always, Winn was at her side, the perfect accompaniment in a world that went two by two.
Ashley took a glass of the champagne and quickly glanced over the guests to see if there just happened to be any single men. One of Doug’s cousins, Lanny was sitting at the far end, talking heatedly to an older woman at his right side. Ashley had seen him once or twice before. He was a local podiatrist with a good practice, was nice enough looking, but had never particularly caught her eye. As she glanced at him now Ray’s voice boomed in her head, don’t discount any possibilities, there’s no time to lose, there’s no time!
Ashley decided to take Ray’s advice and look at Lanny through new eyes. There even happened to be a seat open at the table right across from him. At least she could give him a chance. Ashley drifted over and sat down in the seat. As she did, Lanny gave her an inviting smile. He was actually much better looking than she’d remembered, had lovely, dark brown eyes. Ashley wondered why she’d never noticed.
“Sit down,” Lanny said then, turning his full attention to her.
Ashley slipped into the seat across from him pleased, and returned his warm smile.
“So nice to see you again, Ashley,” he said.
“You too, Lanny,” she leaned closer, when suddenly Ashley felt someone standing behind her, and turned around.
Jessica stood there stalwart, her hands squarely planted on Ashley’s shoulders.
“Hi Jess,” Ashley started, receiving a warning glance in response.
“Excuse me for a second, Lanny,” Jessica interrupted, “but I need to steal away Ashley, something’s come up.”
“Of course,” said Lanny, ever the gentleman.
Ashley smiled, got up and followed Jessica to the other side of the room.
“What in the world are you doing?” Jessica’s eyes flashed, when they were safely out of earshot. “You’re blatantly flirting with Lanny! Why?”
“I’m being friendly,” Ashley defended herself.
“Even Winn noticed that you were flirting,” Jessica countered fast. “What’s going to happen when Gideon returns from his trip and you introduce him to everyone as your fiancée?”
“You’re making too big a deal of this, Jess,” Ashley answered lightly. “I’m enjoying myself.”
Jessica’s brows furrowed together. “At someone else’s expense? I never saw this side of you Ashley. You’re engaged to one guy and flirting with another?”
Ashley flushed, humiliated. It was an awful way to behave, but of course it wasn’t true. She had every right to talk to Lanny, but there was no way Jessica could know that.
“I suggest you leave before things get weirder,” Jessica ordered. “Lanny’s a great guy, he’s been hurt a lot and there’s no reason to tease him. I’ve heard that he’s very lonely.”
Ashley was stung to the core by that. She had no idea Lanny was
lonely. She had just been trying to be part of a world where families gathered to support each other, chamber music played and everyone was a couple.
“You’re forgetting that you’re an engaged woman because it all happened so fast,” Jessica continued.
“Okay, I’m going,” Ashley said, turning to wave good bye to Lanny, as Jessica actively planted herself in front of Ashley, totally preventing her from catching Lanny’s eye.
*
Ashley’s stomach sank as she left the party, feeling more alone than usual. Instead of going back to her apartment, she decided to go straight to Ray’s yoga studio and see if she could catch some time alone with him.
He was delighted when Ashley walked in. “You couldn’t have picked a better time. Look what’s going on,” he said, pointing to some men who were in the studio measuring. “They’re the ones who are taking it over. I begged the landlord to give me another month, but he won’t,” Ray went on. “I had three possibilities for new places and just today they all fell through.”
“Look in other neighborhoods,” Ashley insisted, “You’re locking yourself in!”
“I don’t want to,” Ray wouldn’t hear of it. “It’ll be like starting all over again. I know where I want to be and I’m holding out for it!”
“I’m worried for you,” Ashley interrupted.
“Don’t. Worry does nothing for anyone,” Ray interrupted. “It’s always darkest before the dawn! Soon the light will burst through. I’ll find the place. It’ll just appear, if I keep focusing on it. Now, tell me. How did the speed dating go?” Ray’s eyes lit up at the thought of it.
Ashley definitely didn’t want to be a downer. In fact, maybe her experience would inspire Ray.
“Well, I actually met someone I liked very much!” she remembered, feeling a twinkle spring to her eyes. She’d been afraid to count on it before, wasn’t sure Aldon would even call.
“What?” Ray was definitely stunned. “You met someone?”
“He was the last date of the evening, Aldon!”
Ray started to beam, “See, I told you – darkest before the dawn! Who is this guy, I want every detail!”
Ashley couldn’t help but grin. “He’s adorable, charming, fun, good looking!”
“Wait, wait!” I can hardly breathe said Ray. “Did he take your number?”
“Not only that,” said Ashley, “he wrote on the card that I was the One!”
Ray’s eyes started to flutter. For a second Ashley thought he would faint.
“He wrote that?” said Ray.
“We really hit it off!”
“That’s putting it mildly,” said Ray, breathing faster. “Let’s get on Facebook. Bring his page up, I want to see everything about him!
“I’m not his friend yet,” said Ashley.
“Well, you’re gonna be very soon. Much, much more than this guy’s friend! Ray breathed.
“How do you know, Ray? How can you be so sure?”
“Because once the Universe starts rolling, it doesn’t stop. It wouldn’t make you a wedding to order without providing a wonderful groom.”
Ashley wanted to take the whole ride with him, but all of a sudden something screeched to a halt.
“But let’s be realistic for a second,” she burst out. “I only just met him, how is it possible that we’ll be married in a few weeks? I just came from Shane’s party. That was beautiful, that was real, both of their families were there together.”
“There are all kinds of realities,” Ray interrupted, “that was one and yours is another!”
“But Aldon and I haven’t even had our first real date. It isn’t logical, it doesn’t make sense.”
“Life isn’t logical, Ashley,” he shot back quickly, “and the sooner you get that the better you’ll feel. Logic and doubt are our big enemies – keep our dreams from coming true. Forget them, trust, trust!”
It was hard not to be infected by Ray’s suddenly upbeat mood, but Ashley wasn’t sure exactly what she was trusting.
“You’re doing great, you’re doing fabulously!” Ray’s voice was rising again, “not only did you find a wedding dress you love, you met a guy who fits the list! Is that logical? Oh my God, it’s fantastic. You came at exactly the right moment, Ashley. You have no idea how you’ve lifted my spirits! You’re living proof that all of this works!”
“I love you, Ray,” Ashley said softly then, the words flowing by themselves. If he was living on a cloud, it was a beautiful cloud, and she didn’t mind floating on it with him, at least for a little while.
“I love you, too, Ashley,” said Ray, “I really do. And, what else are we here for?”
CHAPTER 17
Ashley went home feeling better, with a sense that all was right with the world. It was a new feeling for her, and she relished it as she changed into sweatpants to do some stretching. She put on some soft music in the background and rolled out her mat out on the floor when the phone rang, interrupting her.
“Hi, Ashley, it’s Aldon,” the voice on the other end said, “remember me?”
A long, slow chill ran through Ashley’s body. “How could I forget?” she bantered with him.
“Wow,” he breathed, “that’s an answer for you! I knew you were beautiful, but I really couldn’t be absolutely sure about the rest.”
Ashley was intrigued. “Like what do you mean?”
“Like I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming or something,” said Aldon. “Sometimes gals look terrific at first, and then after you call, things can fall flat.”
“I know,” said Ashley, commiserating, remembering her string of bad dates. “It happens to all of us,” her voice got lower, soothing.
“Guess so,” said Aldon, definitely impressed. “So, tell me everything about you, I can’t wait to find out.”
Ashley laughed. He sure wasn’t holding back.
“I’m an impatient guy,” Aldon added.
She liked that. And what could be better now?
“Come and find out about me,” said Ashley, “there’s only so much you can learn over the phone.”
He laughed harder, liked that too. “You’re right out there, I love that about you.”
Ashley felt freed up. “I like that about you, too,” she said.
“Great,” he added, “who has time for games?”
Ashley couldn’t help hear Ray’s voice in her head, there’s no time to lose! Not a second!
“I definitely don’t have time for games,” Ashley seconded Aldon’s comment.
Aldon got quiet a second, “Why not?” he asked.
“Because each minute of life is too important,” said Ashley, suddenly realizing that it really was.
“Boy,” said Aldon, “I never heard a girl say that, ever. That’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“And it’s definitely true. I’ve played enough games and had enough people play games with me for a lifetime!” he said.
“Absolutely,” Ashley agreed.
“It’s exhausting,” he went on, “takes all your energy away. With me, what you see is what you get! And I want someone who’s just like that.”
“You found her,” said Ashley.
“Really?” said Aldon, “I did? Just like that?”
Ashley smiled. Aldon suddenly reminded her of how she sounded talking to Ray. She wanted to answer, yes, the universe provides, but held back a minute. That would definitely sound too weird, and what chance was there that Aldon had taken the workshop? None at all. She didn’t want to put him off.
“What do you do, Aldon?” she changed the subject, steering towards more practical ground, where they could stand without wobbling.
“I run a real estate investment group,” he said. “I love doing it, it’s great. We buy up houses, renovate, re-decorate and sell for a profit. I work with a great bunch of people. It’s a blast. I love going to work every day.”
“How fabulous and wonderful,” Ashley said. “You’re a lucky guy.”
“Yes, I am,
in more way than one,” said Aldon, “and I realize it. I appreciate.”
A wave of warmth came over Ashley. He was lovely, unique, had a generous heart. Even if he hadn’t fit every quality on her list, which he seemed to at the moment, Aldon was definitely someone she would like to know. It lifted her spirits to speak with someone like him.
There was no point playing hard to get and wasting time, Ashley thought. They had to get to the heart of the matter. She’d found her wedding dress and was going to look at wedding venues with Jessica and the gals the day after tomorrow. She’d even taken a day off from work to do it.
“What are you looking for, Aldon?” Ashley said then, softening her voice, making it as non-threatening as possible.
“Everything,” he whispered back to her. “How about you?”
“The same,” she cooed.
The two of them fell silent together then, as hopes and dreams drifted up, encompassing both of them.
“And I want everything now,” Aldon burst out, laughing again.
Ashley began to tremble. It was hard to believe what she was hearing. Was it possible a groom had really turned up for the wedding, and was ready to walk down the aisle with her, just like that? Ashley couldn’t catch her breath.
“What’s the matter?” Aldon felt her mood shift, “did I go too far? Did I scare you off?”
“No, you didn’t scare me,” said Ashley, “I loved everything you said.”
“You did?” Really?” Aldon couldn’t get over it. “Most gals feel I’m way too impatient.”
“Impatient is good,” said Ashley. She also wanted to add, when’s our next date, but she held back. He was the guy, he had to ask her. She didn’t want to seem desperate, and in truth, she wasn’t. She just felt very excited, relaxed, confident. She had no idea why.
“I wish we could actually see each other in person tomorrow,” Aldon said, “but I’ve got to go down to Santa Barbara to look at some properties first thing tomorrow. I’ll be back up in a few days. Will you wait for me?”