A SECOND CHANCE AT FOREVER Chapter 81: CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE

CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE

ASHLEY

It had been three days.

Three days since Kyle stood in my living room, unraveling the truth I had buried so deep I almost convinced myself it didn’t matter anymore.

Three days since I had spoken those words out loud—since I had watched the weight of them crush him in real time.

And yet, despite the countless times the memory had replayed in my head, I told myself it didn’t matter now.

Because I was moving past it.

That’s what I needed to do.

That’s what I had to do.

Which was precisely why, when Ethan asked me last night to be his date to his company’s staff picnic, I hesitated—almost said no—but then reminded myself that moving on meant taking steps forward, not lingering in the past.

So, I said yes.

Ethan was the CEO of a prestigious tech company, the kind that made headlines, built empires, and set the standard for innovation. And as the man at the helm, he was expected to make an appearance at events like these—not just as a boss, but as a figurehead, someone his employees could admire outside the rigid walls of a corporate office.

And maybe… just maybe, stepping into his world for a while would help me escape mine.

I stepped out of the car, adjusting the strap of my bag as I took in the scene before me. The park was sprawling, lush with green trees swaying gently under the early afternoon sun. Laughter and chatter filled the air, a mix of children’s squeals and adults talking over picnic tables stacked with food and drinks.

A light breeze curled around me, teasing the hem of my sundress—a soft, flowy number in a muted sage green, cinched at the waist with a thin belt. I had paired it with strappy white sandals, comfortable but elegant, and simple gold jewelry that caught the sunlight every time I moved. My hair was swept back into a low, effortless bun, a few loose strands framing my face.

Get a hold of yourself, Ashley. It’s just a picnic.

I muttered the words under my breath, hoping they’d do something to calm the restless energy buzzing beneath my skin.

A nearby family—mother, father, and two toddlers—gave me a wary glance before quickly shuffling past, like I had just revealed some deep, unsettling truth they weren’t prepared to deal with.

I sighed. Great. Now I was talking to myself and scaring off parents and children. Lovely.

Shaking my head, I squared my shoulders and took a steadying breath, focusing on the entrance ahead.

I could do this.

It was just a picnic.

Just a casual outing.

Just Ethan.

A familiar warmth spread through me at the thought of him, at how patient he had been with me even though I had avoided him. There was something steady about him, something reassuring.

And maybe today, I could let myself enjoy that.

I walked toward the entrance with a newfound ease, my steps lighter than they had been in days.

Then, just as I reached the park gates, a sudden gust of wind rushed past me—sharp and unexpected.

My dress lifted.

Shit!

Heart lurching, I slapped my hands down, frantically pressing the fabric against my thighs before I gave the entire Westbrook Tech staff a free show. My weather app had failed me once again—sure, it said it was warm enough for a dress, but did it mention the wind would be hell-bent on making me the main attraction?

Heat flooded my face as I quickly adjusted, smoothing my dress back into place like nothing had happened. But the damage was done. A few people nearby had definitely noticed, their amused glances not as discreet as they thought.

Great. Just great.

I sighed, mentally preparing myself for the rest of the day. Looked like I’d be spending most of it gripping the hem of my dress for dear life.

“Ashley?”

The familiar voice pulled me from my self-pity.

I turned—and there he was.

Ethan stood a few feet away, dressed in a casual white button-down with the sleeves rolled up, paired with dark jeans and sneakers. The crisp fabric clung to his broad shoulders in a way that made it very clear he hadn’t just built his company from behind a desk.

His eyes found mine, warmth flickering in them as he took a step closer. "You made it."

I nodded, exhaling softly. "I did."

For a second, his gaze lingered, searching, like he was checking if I was really okay. And maybe it was the weight of the past few days, or maybe it was just Ethan being Ethan—but something about that quiet moment settled something in me.

He tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into a small smile. "You look great, by the way."

A flush crept up my neck, though I masked it with a small scoff. "Flattery already? The event hasn’t even started yet."

He chuckled, his hands slipping into his pockets. "Just stating facts." Then he gestured toward the path leading further into the park. "Come on. Let’s get inside before someone snatches the best seats."

I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and fell into step beside him, the sounds of laughter and light chatter growing louder as we neared the main area.

As we walked further into the park, I took in the scene around me. Employees and their families were scattered across the grassy field, some lounging on picnic blankets while others gathered near the barbecue stations, laughing and chatting over sizzling food. Children ran across the open space, their high-pitched giggles blending into the hum of conversation.

A gentle breeze carried the scent of grilled meat and fresh lemonade, and for a moment, I allowed myself to take it all in—to absorb the simple joy of the moment.

Ethan guided me toward a shaded spot under a large oak tree, where a few of his colleagues were already gathered. A woman in a navy jumpsuit spotted us first, her eyes lighting up as she nudged the man beside her.

"Well, well, the elusive Ethan Westbrook finally arrives," she teased, arching a brow at him before turning her attention to me. "And he brought company."

Ethan smirked. "Ashley, meet Naomi, our Head of PR, and this—" He gestured to the man beside her, who looked like he spent more time at the gym than at a desk. "—is Jay, our Lead Engineer. Guys, this is Ashley."

Naomi gave me a knowing smile. "So, you're the reason he actually showed up today."

I blinked. "I—what?"

Ethan shot Naomi a look, but she just laughed, clearly enjoying herself.

"He never comes to these things," Jay explained, stretching his arms behind his head. "Last year, we literally had to bribe him with an unlimited supply of coffee to get him to stop by for ten minutes."

I turned to Ethan with a mock gasp. "You lied to me? You made it sound like this was a big deal for you!"

Ethan shrugged, completely unfazed. "I figured you'd only agree if you thought it was important."

Naomi snorted. "Smooth."

I narrowed my eyes at him, but I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips.

"Anyway," Naomi continued, plucking a drink from the cooler beside her and handing it to me. "Welcome to our annual ‘attempt to force Ethan to socialize’ event. Hope you're ready."

I chuckled, accepting the drink. "I think I’ll survive."

Naomi grinned. "We'll see about that."

I twisted open the drink and took a sip, letting the cool liquid settle on my tongue as I glanced around. The park was lively—groups of employees spread across picnic blankets, some playing frisbee while others huddled around grills, flipping burgers and chatting animatedly. The air smelled of grilled meat, fresh-cut grass, and something sweet—probably from the dessert table set up near the trees.

"Come on, let's get you something to eat before Ethan hoards all the good stuff," Naomi said, nodding toward the long tables lined with food.

I followed her, and sure enough, Ethan was already there, reaching for a plate piled high with ribs.

"Should I be concerned about how much you eat?" I teased, raising a brow as I grabbed a plate for myself.

Ethan smirked. "I have a high metabolism."

"That’s just an excuse," Naomi snorted. "The man eats like he's training for a heavyweight championship."

Ethan gave her a look before turning back to me. "Ignore her. She’s just mad because she knows I’ll win our annual pie-eating contest later."

"God forbid," Naomi muttered.

I chuckled, filling my plate with a little bit of everything. "So this picnic is a yearly thing?"

"Yeah," Ethan nodded. "A way to let everyone relax. Work hard, play hard, all that."

"You should see him when we first get here," Naomi added, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Standing off to the side, checking his phone, pretending he’s not mentally counting down the hours until he can leave."

I smirked at Ethan. "That bad?"

"Not this year," Naomi mused, eyeing me pointedly before stuffing a fry in her mouth. "I wonder why."

Ethan shot her a warning look, but I just shook my head, hiding my smile as I took a bite of my food.

The conversation drifted from work to random things—funny office stories, embarrassing moments from past picnics, and Naomi’s ongoing grudge against the company’s vending machine.

By the time the sun started to dip lower in the sky, I felt lighter. The weight that had been pressing on me for the past few days wasn't completely gone, but for the first time in a while, I wasn’t drowning in it.

And maybe, just maybe, I could let myself enjoy this. Even if only for today.