The bookcase sat against the opposite wall. He remembered when they put the pieces together. Lots of laughter and debate over whether reading the directions was necessary.
The new blue and white plaid slipcovered couch was more welcoming than the solid yellow one. A red blanket lay on an old rocking chair along with a pillow.
Pictures of him and Jenna used to fill the shelves, mantel, and walls. Not any more. He rubbed his chin and stared at the unfamiliar faces with her. A weight—two tons of regret—pressed on Ash’s chest, making each breath a struggle.
What had he expected? That she’d kept the photographs of him on her walls? Or stopped going out and having fun?
He hated that his answer to both questions was yes.
A family portrait hung on the cream-colored wall next to images of rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding in a collage frame. He had no idea she liked those activities, but the smile on her face suggested she was enjoying herself.
The pictures showed all he’d missed these past two years. His stomach churned so badly not even a bottle of antacids would help. Jenna had created a life without him. A career. A home. New friends. Knowing she’d moved on unsettled Ash.
“Would you like a glass of lemonade or iced tea? I can mix the two into an Arnold Palmer if you’d rather.”
Jenna’s voice startled him. He stepped back from the wall of photos, feeling like a visual eavesdropper on her life. “Lemonade would be great. Thanks.”
“Be right back.”
As soon as she left, his gaze refocused on the pictures.
One thing in the images jumped out. Fun. She’d been having fun, something missing from his life, not to mention his vocabulary. Work had become his priority. He took Sundays off, but the extra hours during the week and on Saturday would help him reach his goal of partner sooner. He’d be the youngest at the firm. Maybe a promotion would bring the same satisfaction he’d felt when he first started working there.
“Here you go.” Jenna handed him a tall glass full of lemonade. “Just made this morning.”
He took a sip. Sweet and tangy, a combination that reminded him of Jenna’s kiss. “Delicious.”
“My mom’s recipe.”
Homemade. Not surprising. Mrs. Harrison had been a good cook, specializing in comfort foods like meat loaf, cabbage rolls, and macaroni and cheese. Entrees their health-conscious housekeeper Mrs. Beatty had never made. “How are your parents?”
“Doing well in Connecticut.”
“What about Colton?” Ash asked.
“Still in the marines. Stationed at Camp Pendleton. He came home on leave last spring. Brought a couple friends. They redid the backyard for me.”
Again, not a surprise. Ash had met her brother once. Colton Harris was an in-shape, hard-as-nails guy who loved America and his sister, not in that particular order.
“Fishing, river rafting, paddleboarding.” Ash raised his glass toward the framed photos on the mantel, curious about the other people and her new hobbies. “You’ve been staying active.”
“Yes.”
He waited for her to say more. She didn’t. “Looks like fun.”
“Yes. I love being outdoors.”
More words this time. Maybe he’d get an entire paragraph from her next.
“Me too.” Except he spent his time at work with occasional trips to the gym. He tried to remember the last time he’d gone for a run outside and not on a treadmill. His mind went blank. “When I have time.”
“Still working long hours?”
“I’m going for partner.” His defensive tone made him want to grimace. Was his work schedule what she remembered of him? He sipped the lemonade, which tasted less sweet.
Ash stood only four feet away from Jenna, but the quiet pushed them further apart. Unease knotted his muscles. He wanted to mend the rift between them, but that wasn’t going to happen. Things were never going to be the same. The realization made him sad.
She glanced at the clock on the end table. “I don’t mean to be rude, but are you sure Amber’s coming? I have plans tonight.”
Plans? A date? Ash’s collar tightened. A million questions sprung to mind. None of which he could ask without appearing to be a stalker-ex. “I’ll see where she is.”
He pulled out his cell phone. No message from Amber about running late. He typed, Jenna doesn’t have much time. Now or never.
A reply came quickly: Be there in 5.
Ash put away his phone. “She’s almost here.”
“Okay.” Jenna didn’t sound okay, more like nervous.
Nothing was working as he . . . he hadn’t planned any of this, but he’d expected her to be happier to see him. Upsetting her more was the last thing he wanted. “This will be quick. I promise.”
She nodded.