Throughout dinner, there was a verbal battle between Beatrix and Eva. They all supported Eva against Beatrix’s constant jabs. Alyssa looked upset, since it was her birthday treat and it wasn’t what she wanted.
“Why did we come here, Alex? You should have tried the food at Hudson Skyview. The food is to die for. It’s a hot favorite amongst all celebrities. You won’t believe it, the famous actor Tom Duncan wanted to purchase the place. I was present when he made the offer,” laughed Beatrix, but no one seemed to be interested in her talks.
“We are no celebrities. So this is fine for us. I actually love the food here,” said Alyssa with a fake smile.
“I understand,” said Beatrix, giving her a sympathetic look. “So, Eva, you’re a nurse, right? I’m sure you’ve never seen a place such as this in your life.”
“Yes, I’m a nurse. Saving lives, and nurturing people to health, is my priority in life, Beatrix. So answering your question, no, I’ve never been here or to your celebrity place. I’m neck-deep at work. Today, I assisted our head pediatric surgeon in the OT to save the life of a critical two-year-old baby girl.”
“Amazing!” murmured Alexander, and Eva’s heart skipped a beat at his appreciation.
“It’s no big deal. All nurses do this since it’s their job. That’s what they’re paid for,” snickered Beatrix.
“It’s not always about pay, you know. I didn’t charge any overtime for working for 2 hours extra,” said Eva, and Beatrix looked ill at ease with all the appreciation pouring in at her admission. Her friends appreciated her, and she smiled at them.
“I’m proud of you, Eva. It doesn’t matter whether you visit expensive restaurants splurging on someone else’s hard-earned money. What matters is your accomplishments based on your own merit!” said Ashton.
He felt Hayley’s hand hold his under the table, and his heart raced with excitement. Although he knew it was just a gesture to thank him for supporting Eva, he wasn’t letting the opportunity go. He grabbed her hand in return and didn’t release her throughout the time.
“Ashton, I need to use the washroom.” He nodded, getting up with her. Flustered by his intentions, she rushed towards the washroom with Ashton hot on her heels.
“Stop following me around!” she scolded him, her cheeks flushed with color.
“No, I won’t. Learn to deal with it.” Hayley rolled her eyes and disappeared into the washroom, wondering what Ashton would be up to now. He couldn’t follow her inside!
Afterwards, she saw him waiting outside for her.
“I’m bored. Let’s get away from here!” he said, grabbing hold of her arm to stop her from going back to the table.
“No. I can’t skip the birthday cake.” She pulled him along back to the table, but Ashton frowned and looked around. He knew he had seen Madison around a few minutes ago. But how was that possible? How could Madison afford entry to an expensive place like Impulse? Most importantly, why would she come here? Was she seeking an opportunity to harm Hayley? No, he had to get Hayley away from this place.
Hayley finished her slice of birthday cake and so did the others, except Eva who was a light eater. They packed up the remaining cake and got up to leave.
“When did you become so cheap, Alexander? Packing up leftovers. Seriously? It was so embarrassing!” Beatrix snickered.
“What’s there to feel embarrassed about? We packed up the birthday cake, not leftovers. Anyway, we shouldn’t waste food. There are so many people all over the world who can’t afford to buy a single square meal in a day,” said Alexander, leading them towards the elevator.
“Yes. No one knows that better than I do,” admitted Ashton, while Beatrix gaped at him with disgust.
“How? Were you homeless?” she asked, eyeing Alexander for an answer. Ashton shrugged but didn’t answer her question while Hayley glared at Beatrix, ready to box her ears. He loved the way she reacted to the taunt meant for him. They all knew what he went through before Uncle Daniel took him under his wing, yet they never judged him.
“Everyone goes through a difficult phase in life. We shouldn’t judge them for it,” said Alexander. Ashton smiled at his friend’s support and grabbed Hayley’s hand, ready to leave.
“We’ll head off. Thanks for the treat, dude. Alyssa, Aunt Jodie was remembering you. Come home if you can.” Alyssa looked pensive but didn’t react as she usually did at the mention of her parents.
“Bye,” he waved at everyone else and led Hayley away towards his car, his heartbeats increasing with excitement. Maybe he was hallucinating after all, since he didn’t see Madison afterwards. Now with Hayley with him, he had no plans of taking her home so early.
“Umm, where are we going, Ashton?” she asked when he didn’t take the turn that led to her house.
“Do you want to go home?” She looked at him, searching his eyes before slowly shaking her head. It made him smile. This was the opportunity he needed. He wanted to tell her how much he loved her. He wanted to clarify everything tonight. If she stopped him from leaving after knowing his feelings for her, he would stay back. Only for her!
“No. I don’t want to go home at all!” Ashton smiled at her answer. They were on the right track towards a confession.
“I know the place we can go to,” he said, driving away. Hayley watched him turn towards Oak Street and smiled, knowing where they were headed to. He drove into Skyline Drive-in theater and bought tickets after consulting her on her choice of movie.
Parking their car, Ashton opened the trunk space and spread out a blanket that was stored inside.
“Do you regularly do this with others? How do you have that blanket in your car?” asked Hayley suspiciously. Ashton grinned at her jealous tone. He loved it immensely.
“No, you have no reason to feel jealous. Last time Alexander and I went on a long drive together. The blanket has remained in the car ever since.”
It satisfied Hayley, and she settled down in the space, looking up at the giant screen in front of them. The movie was about to start and Ashton went to get some drinks and snacks to last them the entire duration. Hayley looked around the place. Situated on the East River, providing panoramic views of the Manhattan Skyline, it was perfect. However, it was Ashton’s company that made the place special. She still couldn’t believe that he was leaving.
How could she stop him? Could she tell him she loved him? Could she tell him she couldn’t live without him?
He returned with a lot of stuff and sat down beside her, filling up the entire space. Hayley was almost crushed against his chest. “Comfortable?” he asked, his voice a little raspy, while his eyes glittered in the moonlight.
“Hmm,” she said softly, acutely aware of their position. She was almost on his lap, his warm masculine scent driving her crazy. The movie would start in five minutes and suddenly she felt shy of his unwavering gaze fixed upon her.
“I’ll miss you, Ashton,” she whispered, her eyes meeting his and holding his gaze.
“Why?” It was a simple question, but it held a lot of depth. His unwavering gaze urged her to reply. She couldn’t escape this time.
“You know why.”
“No, I don’t. You never told me.”
“There’s nothing to tell, Ashton. It doesn’t make much of a difference now. You’ve decided to go away, leaving me all alone here. I don’t think I can survive this,” she said, her voice cracking with hurt. If she couldn’t tell him tonight, she would never get another opportunity to confess.
“Neither can I survive without you,” said Ashton in a hoarse whisper, his eyes traveling to her lips.
“Then why are you leaving?” she asked desperately, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Despite their little fights, she still couldn’t live without him. It didn’t matter what he did in the past. Nothing mattered at all. She just wanted him to stay.
“Because you aren’t stopping me, Hayley.” It was a desperate plea, and Hayley’s mouth hung open with shock. Ashton leaned forward and captured her soft lips in a hungry kiss he had been dying for all evening. It took her by surprise, but she surrendered wholeheartedly to the kiss, opening her mouth to his probing tongue. Her arms snaked around his shoulders and she moaned into his mouth, eliciting a groan of satisfaction from him.
His tongue swirled into her mouth, devouring her to passionate heights until she crushed her body to his and kissed him back with abandon.
The enormous screen came to life, and the movie started. Ashton released her slowly, the magic broken, but he was aroused for more. This couldn’t be a goodbye kiss. He needed more of her now!