Practically Married by Karin Beery

Author:Karin Beery [Beery, Karin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781645262367
Publisher: Guiding Light Women's Fiction
Published: 2019-10-22T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

Ashley stared at the strawberry blonde on the porch, blinking twice to make the vision disappear. It didn’t. Russ didn’t like dating. He didn’t have ex-girlfriends, except … “Excuse me, you’re who?”

“Jessica Miller, but everyone calls me Jess.”

“My ex-girlfriend.” Russ crossed his arms. “What are you doing here?”

Carrie spun around. “Rachel, why don’t we get the kids a snack? I’ll bet Russ has chocolate around here somewhere.”

“Chocolate!” The kids squealed.

Russ’ family disappeared as Ashley stepped closer to her boyfriend—no, her fiancé—ready to defend her claim. A bitter wind tossed Jess’ shoulder-length curls around her face. A brown leather jacket and dark jeans hugged her body, flattering her curves. The green scarf fluttering around her neck popped against the neutral palette. She smiled at Ashley, but her lips looked stiff, forced. Probably a reflection of Ashley’s own awkward smile.

“Why don’t you come in? It’s pretty cold out today.” Ashley grabbed the back of Russ’ shirt and pulled him out of the way.

“Thank you,” Jess said. She stepped inside and closed the door. “It’s been a while since I was here. Not much has changed.”

“A lot has changed. Tom’s dead. This is Ashley.” A hard, cold arm wrapped around her. “My fiancée.”

Ashley’s stomach rolled at the harsh tone of his voice. If this was his “bad experience,” she could understand, but that didn’t explain why Jess was here. Ashley glanced up at Russ. He clenched his jaw.

Jess unzipped her coat. “I’m sorry to hear about Tom. My dad told me. I would have come to the funeral, but I wasn’t sure what to say.”

“Yet you figured it would be okay to show up now?” Russ’ fingers squeezed Ashley’s waist, pinching her skin.

“Can I get you a drink?” she asked, stepping away from his vice-like grip.

“I’m fine, but I would like to speak to Russ privately for a few minutes if that’s okay with you.”

Ashley nodded, welcoming yet dreading the opportunity to leave. “I’ll go to the kitchen and see about that chocolate.” She glanced at Russ, hoping for some guidance. The return of Stone Face didn’t help her figure out what to do next, but it did give her comfort knowing he wasn’t pleased with the newest arrival. “Did you want that drink?” she asked him.

Russ shook his head. “We won’t be long.” He motioned toward the living room. “Jess?”

The couple walked one way as Ashley went the other. They looked good together. Jess was almost as tall as Russ, and their jean-clad legs fell into step with each other. He shoved his hands into his back pockets while she sat on the edge of the loveseat. Was she trying to force him to sit near her? Was she trying to win Russ back? It would make sense. Why else would an ex-girlfriend show up today, and how did she know?

A thousand more questions raced through her head. Carrie had recognized Jess. That seemed like a good place to start asking. Ashley marched into the kitchen, ready to get answers.

Rachel met her at the doorway, a bowl of M&M’s in hand.

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