Shit. I was going to do that today, wasn’t I?

“Uh, right.” I said never meeting Ashley’s eyes.

I hurriedly threw on my lavender sun dress and sunglasses and then began to pack a beach bag. Ashley stood there the whole time silently; my guess is she was trying to piece the puzzle together as to why I was being so difficult, but the truth is I am just a nervous wreck right now.

“Spencer, slow down.”

I felt her warm body press against my back. Her bare skin felt so good, but dirty thoughts aside, I knew she really just wanted me to relax.

“Just try not to think about it okay? When the right time comes, it’ll happen.”

Ashley’s words were so soothing, not in just how she knew exactly what to say, but the way she says it and the way her words leave this everlasting feeling of security. God I love this girl.

“Alright, let’s hit the beach.” I turn around and peck her cheek, before exiting the tent.

Ashley, my mom, and I all walked down to the family’s favorite secluded spot on the beach and set up the chairs and blanket. This had to be the most gorgeous part of the beach, which surprised me as to why there weren’t more people who came here.

“Well girls, it looks like it’s just us for the day.” My mom smiled brightly and I did my best to reciprocate it.

“Are the others coming?” I asked.

“I asked, but for some reason they all insisted I spend some time with you Spence. I mean, it’s not like I don’t want to spend time with my baby girl, but they were all really weird about it.” My mom shrugged and went back to lying back in her chair, while Ashley and I shared a knowing look.

We spent about an hour in an uncomfortable silence, lying in our beach chairs, until I just couldn’t take it anymore.

“Hey Ash, wanna go swimming?” I nudged the slumbering brunette beside me until she stirred.

“Sure, that sounds great. What about your mom though?” Ashley asked and even though her consideration of others is one of the many qualities I love about her, I just wish she wouldn’t do it now.

“No you two go on ahead.” Phew. “I have some unfinished business with the sun right now.” My mom shooed us on.

“Last one to the beach is a rotten egg!” I yelled to Ashley before taking off toward the ocean.

Lame saying, I know, but what I really wanted to say was “Last one to the beach is not getting any Spencer tonight,” which would never happen whether Ashley beat me or not.

I made it to the edge of the water only to notice Ashley was not following me. I turned around to find her talking on her cell phone. I scrunched my eye brows in confusion at the random phone call and then worry washed over me. 

Ashley began to pace back and forth only to stop abruptly and look at me. Her eyes were stone cold and that brought me back to place I never wanted to be again as long as I lived. It was much like the look she gave me before driving off to a shooting a while back, which could only mean one thing, trouble was on the horizon.