SOOO....i dont even deserve an excuse...but there is just so much going on with me...and it's kept me indescribably unmotivated...But please read and comment....I really appreciate it...and hopefully I can get the second half of this up by tomorrow night. THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO READ & REVIEWED MY STORY SO FAR!! I appreciate it so much more..... :)

Chapter 9: Rendezvous

"You're a bitch."

"I know."

"You didn't tell me you were coming back."

"I know."

"I should kick your ass for not telling me…"

"Yeah, okay—you can try…"

Silence…

"I've missed you…"

Ashley grinned as she looked at her sister's face, the initial anger that previously displayed on her countenance melting into a small smile.

"Me too, Kyla."

The slightly younger brunette sighed as she stepped to the side, allowing Ashley to enter. It was the same house Kyla purchased after their high school graduation, but, due to her older sister's quick departure, had never been given the chance to show off. It was spacious, especially considering that the younger brunette was living by herself. It was cozy, though—large leather couches sat in the family room surrounding the large plasma television resting on the wall while the earth-tone colored walls gave off a comfortable air.

"I like this," Ashley said conversationally.

"Yeah, it's a nice area to live in. Not too much goes on around here…"

Ashley nodded as she took a seat on a nearby leather recliner. "Comfy…"

"When did you get here, Ash?" Kyla questioned as she seated herself on the arm of the couch.

"Yesterday—I drove which took about a week…I needed some time to myself. You know, time to turn back if I wanted to."

"And you didn't think to tell your sister?" she shot, slightly less accepting of her sister's sudden appearance.

"I figured Aiden would've let you know," Ashley said calmly.

"You have my number, Ashley! We've been in touch!"

"Surprise?" The brunette offered jokingly. However, given the exasperated look on her sister's face, it wasn't working. "No? Hmmm….I forgot you don't like surprises."

In spite of herself, Kyla started to fight back a smile. "I just wish you would've called or something'…" she mumbled.

"I went to see Aiden—don't trip, Ky," Ashley added quickly. "I wanted to talk to him about Spencer."

"Oh…you found out about the wedding?" Kyla relented as if she was holding back from telling her.

"Yeah, I found out a couple of weeks ago—I got an invitation in the mail."

"Really? She sent you—"

"No, Aiden sent it…it's a long story. Basically—I get invite. I come here. Invite not right. I—well, I don't really know what's going to happen now…"

"So you saw Spencer? How'd that go?"

Ashley sighed sadly. "It went as to be expected. We're cool now…I think."

"Oh…"

"She's really getting married, Ky?" the older brunette asked before she could stop herself. Her sister nodded, the small gesture causing Ashley to release a breath of air she didn't know she was holding.

"He's a really great guy, Ashley. He treats her well. I think you'd like him."

Ashley snorted loudly, her Kyla's words seeming to pierce her insides. "Fat chance."

Silence settled the two, the only noise heard being the tick-tock of a nearby clock. The younger sibling looked around, strangely nervous in Ashley's opinion, as she picked at the couch.

"What?"

"What, what?" Kyla asked in a terrible act of innocence.

"You know, it's a good thing you never made it as an actress, 'cause you're not that good at it."

"Whatever, Ash…" she shot, rolling her eyes. Ashley looked at her expectantly.

"So what's on you're mind?" she asked when Kyla didn't continue.

"Nothing…" Ashley stared at her a few seconds longer. "Oh, alright…" Kyla groaned. "It's just…you're here to win her back, aren't you."

Ashley looked away at the painful question, not wanting to express too much with her eyes. "I'd be lying if I said that wasn't my intentions—"

"Don't do it, Ash," Kyla interrupted quickly. "She's in a really good place now…and it took so long for her to get there after…well, after everything."

"I'm not gonna—I wouldn't do that, Ky." Ashley muttered in defeat. She felt weak, stomach clenching uneasily.

"Ashley…maybe you should just try to get over her."

Ashley's head snapped up, eying Kyla with a sudden pained expression. Get over her? If only it were that easy. Did she not understand that she had tried? Did she not realize that the random hook-ups Ashley used to phone about were all feeble attempts to rid blonde locks and sapphire eyes from her brain. Or maybe she missed the conversations about drunken stupors, glass after glass of jack-and-coke, that was supposed to replace the want flowing through her veins.

"Kyla, it's not that fuckin' simple…" Ashley muttered.

"But it's been—"

"I know how long it's been, thanks." the older woman retorted.

"I just don't want you to get your hopes up," Kyla shot, becoming angry at Ashley's misplaced frustration. "And why did you come here? If you wanted hope and praise for wanting to steal someone's fiancée you should've called mom."

Ashley stared at her sister in disbelief, slightly hurt by her words. Suddenly, she shot off the couch and walked quickly towards the door. She didn't get too far before Kyla caught her left arm, stopping Ashley in her tracks.

"Look…I'm sorry," she said quietly.

Without responding, Ashley pulled away and walked out the door.

***

The bakery appeared slightly different in the afternoon, especially with the small mass of customers in the quaint building. The smell was also slightly stronger as freshly made baked goods sat on the shelves.

It wasn't difficult to spot Spencer behind the counter of the deli, her golden-blonde hair amongst the mass of brunette and black manes making matters easier. Before long, and perhaps even to Ashley's own surprise, she was in front of the counter, the blonde's back to her as she sorted out something on a nearby shelf.

"I'll be with you in a moment," the busy worker said apologetically.

"Spence, it's me…"

Spencer's head shot around quickly, a poorly hidden look of surprise clouding her face.

"Why are you here?" She asked, exasperation clear in her voice. It hit Ashley like a brick in the face—had they not called a truce yesterday?

"I want to meet him."

"What are you talking 'bout—"

"Kevin," Ashley interrupted. "I want to meet him." Spencer stared at her as if seeing her for the first time.

"No."

"No?" The brunette echoed, confused. "Why not?"

She could think of plenty of reasons why not, but as soon as Ashley's question left her lips, she couldn't voice a single one.

"It's just not a good idea," Spencer responded lamely. Ashley laughed.

"Look, Spence…" the brunette sighed, "I'm not trying to…I just wanna meet him, okay? Please?"

Spencer tried not to stare too long into Ashley's chocolate colored eyes and she tried even harder not to notice Ashley biting her lower lip, a nervous habit that Spencer wished she hadn't just remembered.

"Okay…" the blonde mumbled, "you can meet him." Ashley grinned, her insides celebrating a fierce victory. "Actually, we have dinner tonight at my mom's…around six-thirty. Nothing special, you can bring someone…if you want."

Ashley's smile quickly left as she gazed at Spencer's calm countenance. She noticed a slight raise in the blonde's eyebrow, as if she was bracing herself for the answer. Before answering, Ashley made sure she had complete eye contact with Spencer, giving her every feeling she had.

"There's no one, Spence. There hasn't been for a long time."

Spencer nodded, looking away, the muscle in her chest unclenching slightly. "So, can you make it tonight?"

"Yeah, is it the same house from—"

"Yep," Spencer said quickly. "Same one."

Ashley studied her, the blonde's sudden uncomfortable nature becoming obvious.

"Alright then, Spencer. I'll be there tonight."