6
PARSONS
MAY 23, 2013
“You made it,” I said with a smile.
Ash passed me a bouquet of red roses. “Like I’d miss it. Happy graduation.”
My heart was in my throat as I took the roses. I knew they didn’t mean anything. That he was dating Lila again. They’d dated briefly in high school and reunited after college. Derek had told me once how annoying they were but that he was glad Ash was happy.
And so I swallowed back that same desire that always rose up when I saw him. He was happy with someone else. I was currently dating someone too. I’d come a long way since that eighteen-year-old girl, drunk enough to steal a first kiss with him.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I told him.
“Yeah, yeah,” Derek said, throwing an arm across Ash’s shoulders and leaning forward. “We’re all thrilled.”
Ash shove
