Irritation flared in Ashley’s chest. She couldn’t understand why Rowena was making things awkward now, of all times. This meeting was supposed to be simple, a formality before the wedding. Instead, Ashley felt like she was missing something everyone else could sense.
She rationalized that grief changed people, that loss could make someone behave strangely without meaning harm. Rowena had lost a daughter, after all. Ashley reminded herself to be patient, to not take everything personally, even as the discomfort refused to fade.