chapter 57

ASHTON

The night was about Trace and Jess, but the second Molly showed up, my eyes never left her.

We had dinner, speeches, and I was doing my thing. Toasting Trace, telling him how much I loved that we’d grown together over the years to where we both were now through loss, grief, but blessings. Trace was looking Jess’s way for the blessing part. I was looking Molly’s way, and now someone pulled out a playlist, and people were dancing.

Jess’s mom was dancing with Avery.

Sloane was dancing with Demetri.

Me, I was heading right for Molly, who was standing with Pialto and Sophie.

Their heads folded together, the freaking three musketeers, until I got to them. They went silent. I waited until Pialto’s head popped up, and he blinked, pretending to see me for the first time. “Oh, hi, Ashton.” He nudged Molly with his shoulder, who looked up, looking all shy.

She ducked her head down, the same shy smile showing over her face. Her cheeks were a good blush color by now. I glanced at the winegl