All Chapters of What if We Drown : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

With an innocent smile cast in Derek's direction, Ashlyn slyly hooked her foot around his chair leg and pulled, the pepperoni slice falling to the floor as he steadied himself.Poppy and Sage roared with laughter as Ashlyn covered her mouth in a mockery of surprise. But Derek wasn't fooled. His eyes narrowed, squinting with his accusation."You cheated," Derek spoke low enough that only she heard. Despite the seriousness of his tone, humor danced within his eyes.Ashlyn merely shrugged, that innocent smile still boasting upon her lips as she reached down to pick up the slice before the oils could stain the floor.Tossing the slice onto her plate, Ashlyn almost choked on air when she saw first Poppy, then Sage, with pizza crusts hanging precariously over their glasses of milk, cheeky grins plastered on their faces."Alright, you two. That's enough," Lorraine interrupted as they began to dunk the crusts into the milk. The glasses were gone almost immediately, and two face cloths we

When she was done, her palm rested against his chest, the steady beating of his heart beneath it accelerating the longer her hand remained. Hot breath stirred in her bangs, shaking with each exhale.She leaned her head back, her cheek resting against his shoulder and smiled up at Derek. His heated gaze looked down on her, and his lips parted slightly with the air she stole from his lungs. Ever so gently, he raised the arm that she rested on and reached around her shoulders, tucking her against his side. He rested his chin on top of her head.Under the weight of his chin, held in the comfort of his embrace, Ashlyn felt whole and at peace. She burrowed in closer, her hand remaining over his chest, her cheek pressed close to his heart. The sound of his heart which beat with his love for her and the gentle caress of his fingers against her shoulder washed over her, like a cleansing wave. Suddenly everything she wanted to say to him, everything she felt for him was crystal clear again, t

Ashlyn's hand brushed around his neck, then traced down his torso, feeling every dip and curve of muscle that flexed beneath her palm, while her other hand absently twisted the hair at the nape of his neck. She admired everything about this man.Derek's fingers traced the side of her face before sinking into the hair at her forehead. Twisting one of the curls around his index finger, his fingertips brushed over the scar at her temple, and Ashlyn's heart stopped.Gasping, she pulled away, his scar brushing over hers.Her chest heaved with heavy breaths, her heart beating like a drum in the morning air, and her mind spun from the intoxication of his kiss paired with the sudden realization of what was happening. Suddenly, she felt nauseous. Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried to block out the swiftly flashing frames of fire, lightning, and walls crumbling that assaulted her mind.This extra addition to the emotions that already consumed her was overwhelming. Forcing herself to take de

Smiling her appreciation, Ashlyn took a sip of her coffee and readjusted on the stool so that she faced Lorraine.Lorraine plugged the charger into the outlet and connected it to Ashlyn's phone."I hope we didn't disturb you when we got in last night. I tried to keep the girls from making too much noise." Lorraine spoke softly.Shaking her head, Ashlyn placed the mug down and prepared to answer when Lorraine continued."You were both asleep, and it was the sweetest thing. I didn't have the heart to wake you."Ashlyn glanced towards Derek, who was watching them, a simple smile gracing his lips. A smile that Ashlyn mirrored, her cheeks beginning to ache with all the joy she'd been expressing that morning."It took all my energy to keep the twins from jumping on the both of you and waking you to play." Lorraine laughed, her exhaustion evident in the exhale that followed her chuckle.Sorry, we broke our promise to the girls, Ashlyn answered, her gaze shifting towards the small hall

"So, do you two have plans to meet up again later?" Kass' elbow nudged Ashlyn's ribs, her lips turned suggestively.Placing the change in the register, Ashlyn shrugged.He mentioned popping down later. I don't know, though. Maybe.Ashlyn tried her best to remain indifferent for appearance's sake, but behind the facade was a little child who clung to the pinky promise that had been forged between them, ever hopeful that he would make an appearance throughout the day."Girl, just try and keep him away now." Amused laughter came from the cupboard below, where Kass searched for more takeaway cups.Turning back to the next customer in line, Ashlyn gave a welcoming smile."Yeah, hi. Can I get two cappuccinos and an almond biscotti," the male said, patting down his pockets in search of his wallet."On it, Nigel," Kass responded to the regular as she popped back up, the coffee machine already whirring with the beans it ground.Ringing up the order, Ashlyn handed over a dainty table nu