He Has My Heart

Rileys POV

I woke up before Ashley and headed downstairs to make myself coffee.
I settled out on the deck and had my wedding planner in hand. I had pretty much everything done. Venue, done. Flowers, done. Dress, done. Bridesmaids, next week. Bachelor parties... Have to talk to Ash about that one.
I was distracted when I felt my phone vibrate. The caller ID showed Juliet.
I sighed and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hey Riley. Was just checking up on you. Ash said something came up yesterday..." She said trailing off.
"Uhh yeah. I was just having a hard time with something and I honestly forgot."
"Too bad. I feel like I haven't seen you in so long!" She whined. I saw her last week.
"Yeah, I know. I've been so busy with wedding planning. Oh by the way, I've scheduled the bridesmaid fitting for next Wednesday at 1, so keep that free."
"Okay, no problem. Can't wait!" She squealed.
"Yeah, I can't wait till you guys to see them."
"I'm sure they will be gorgeous! Well I gotta go, Andy just got up. See you then!" She said excitedly and hung up.
I really don't know how she feels comfortable around me. I mean, I'm her boyfriends ex! I wouldn't be! The sight of them would make my blood boil. Like I kicked Kina out of my bar for Gods sake. Thats how uncomfortable I was.
My train of thought was interrupted when Ashley joined me on the deck.
"What, no coffee for me?" He said teasingly.
"You know where it is" I said unamused.
"Relax Riles" he said getting up to kiss my forehead and get his own coffee.
"So Ash, what were you thinking for your bachelors party?" I called out to him.
"Umm, hadn't really thought about it. We're not really bachelors, there's a gorgeous woman behind us all" he said rejoining me.
"Ha ha" I said sarcastically. "I'm being serious though. Was there anything specific you wanted to do?"
"I'm just happy hanging with the guys. We'll probably do something small. Dinner or drinks."
"Okay, I'll leave you to sort that out when the time comes. Cause us girls are probably gonna be at the hotel again for the weekend. It just makes it easier."
"No problem. Riles? Are you okay?" He asked, putting a hand on my knee.
Honestly. I wasn't sure. I was scared, anxious, stressed, nervous and happy. I looked up at him and he was giving me a calm look.
"I-I'm fine. Just stressed."
He didn't look convinced. "Ash, I just have a lot on my mind. With the wedding, the bar, my... Situation. Please don't take this as me shutting you out. Oh that reminds me, when are you and the guys free for me to schedule your tux fitting?" I said changing the subject.
"Whenever, some time next week I suppose, but Riles, can you just stop for a second?" He said taking the wedding from my sight.
"Hey! Give that back! I need it! Our wedding will fall apart if I lose that!" I whined as he held it above his head so I wouldn't be able to reach.
"I will give it back when you pay attention to me Riley."
I reluctantly sat down again and glared at him. "What Ashley."
He put the planner on the chair he was sitting on and met my eyes."I feel like you're not hearing me. Can you please just take the day off from everything, no wedding planning, no bar, not even your phone. Just me and you all day. You need to just forget everything for the day, please. I miss you. I miss us!" He pleaded with me.
I felt bad. Last night was probably the most intimate we had been all week. I did miss him.
"You're right" I said simply.
"You're still not heari- wait, what?! I'm right?" He stammered.
"Yes, you're right Ash. You can hide my phone if you want" I said giving him my phone.
He look stunned. He didn't believe that I was agreeing with him.
His fingers curled around my phone and he quickly pecked my lips before bolting with it upstairs.
I shook my head at him and placed the wedding planner inside.
He came back downstairs with a grinned plastered on his face. "What do you wanna do today?" He said taking me in his arms.
"Lets go to Santa Monica. We haven't been in almost a year."
"Sounds like a plan. I'll help you get dressed" he said throwing me over his shoulder.
"Ash! Put me down!" I screamed.
"Nope" I could hear the smile in his voice.
"You're liking this too much."
"What can I say? I just love you too much."

For the first time in what felt like a long time, we spent the day together without any distractions. I missed Ashley so much and I can't believe it took him yelling at me for me to see it. The last month I had been there, but not really there.
We just hung out at the pier. Relived my birthday last year. I was so tempted to get another tattoo, but didn't really have the time.
We were in the car on the way back to the Malibu house. The sun was setting and I could only concentrate on Ashleys hand on mine.
"Ash. I'm sorry. About everything. I've been so self absorbed l lately. Thanks for opening my eyes to what's the most important and that's you" I said tiredly.
"Well I wouldn't say I'm the 'most' important thing, but if you wanna see me that way, I'm fine with that" he said with a cheeky smile playing on his face.
"I love you Ashley."
"I love you too Riles."

Notes