Look After Us Read Online Free PDF Page A

can’t help the way my heart picks up a little. Especially after the one look Tyler gave me. I have a feeling I’m not going to like this.
    “You remember Riley?”
    Riley? Who’s Riley?
    “Riley as in my ex, Riley?” Ashton asks, still with a look of intrigue on his face. His ex? Why have I never heard of Riley before? Feeling confused and a little pissed that he’s never told me about her, I find myself looking between Ashton and Tyler trying to figure out where this is going.
    “Yeah. She’s Mia’s maid of honor.”
    Ashton looks taken aback for a moment, but not really affected—much to my relief. Then suddenly, he bursts out into a fit of laughter.
    “Why would I care that Riley is Mia’s maid of honor?”
    “Well, you know … just in case it gets awkward. With Ava here … I mean, Riley was your first love,” he hisses in a whisper, obviously hoping I don’t hear the end of his sentence. Well I must have good fricking hearing because I heard it all right; I heard it loud and clear. I stare at Ashton, but he bursts out laughing again.
    “Tyler, I was seventeen when we broke up for Christ’s sake. I’m pretty sure she’s gotten over me by now, man.”
    Tyler still looks a little fidgety but seems to have relaxed some. “Well I hope so, because she’s about to walk through those doors any second now.” He points to the patio doors from behind him and my eyes zone in towards them. I feel nauseatingly ill at the thought of coming face to face with his ex. Just when I thought I’d get to enjoy my weekend, I’m going to have Ashton’s past under my nose for the next three days. Perfect.
    Ashton’s fingers trace down my arm until they capture my hand with his. “Baby, are you okay?”
    I try to relax my rigid body by taking a steady breath, but it doesn’t do a thing to ease the sudden bout of jealousy I feel centered in the middle of my chest. I glance his way and I can’t help but mutter, “Yeah … just waiting until I meet the love of your life.”
    “Ava, look at me.”
    When I don’t turn to face him I feel his finger caress just below my chin, forcing my eyes on his. When his greens are staring at me, freezing me in place, he says, “You’re the only love of my life.” My insides melt at his words, and I feel the ridiculous jealousy—along with my anxiety—fade away.
    He moves in to brush his lips over mine, but before they connect, the sound of footsteps walking onto the veranda, halt us.
    “Well if it isn’t Ashton Bailey.” We both turn towards the voice, and I’m left almost gasping for air when I see just how beautiful she is.
    That’s Riley ?
    She looks as if she belongs on a catwalk, with her impeccable skin, her Barbie-blonde hair—which is styled to perfection—and legs that go on for miles.
    “How the hell are you?” She rounds the table towards Ashton, and I watch in astonishment as she practically launches herself at him in a friendly embrace, squashing poor Junior in the process. Unimpressed, he shuffles off Ashton’s knee and heads over to his mom, showing her where Seattle is on the globe that is still clutched tightly in his hands.
    “I’m good, Riley. How are you?” I turn my attention back to Ashton as she finally pulls away and takes the seat beside him. I glance down and notice how her leg brushes against his, a little too close for my liking.
    “How long’s it been now?” she asks with a look of awe in her eyes that make my eyes tighten with scrutiny.
    Ashton lets out a breath of air. “I don’t know … seventeen … eighteen years?”
    “Fuck, you make me sound old!” She laughs hysterically.
    “Riley, watch your language in front of Junior,” I hear Jo say, pointing to Junior who is oblivious of the bad word being spoken. Riley cringes slightly realizing her mistake before she turns her attention back to us.
    “So, Tyler told me you’re getting married. Who’s the lucky gal?” Riley says, keeping her eyes solely on Ashton, almost as