Page 25 of Beaten

Ashley shared a few of her dating adventures. She was currently a serial dater, claiming she wasn’t ready to settle down. I envied her strength and carefree lifestyle.Ashley would never let a man hit her. I didn’t think I could be quite as carefree, or be as adventurous, as Ashley.But it might be fun to try.

Ashley suggested we got to a nightclub to celebrate my new freedom and maybe hook up with some hot guys. When I told her I wasn’t quite ready yet, she chuckled and said she’d make it her life’s mission to take me out.

“Maybe we start with something a little less crazy in a few weeks.” I wanted to wait until things with Craig had settled down a bit and I no longer needed protection.I still haven’t told Ashley.

After our food arrived, we sat on the floor and ate at the coffee table. White cardboard containers full of tasty Chinese food covered half the surface. I thought the egg rolls and crab rangoon were average, and the General Tso Chicken was too spicy, but the Cashew Chicken and pork fried rice were perfect. Fried rice was a staple any time I ordered Chinese. At least it was when I wasn’t with Craig, he always reminded that rice would make me fat.

Stopthinking about him.

Before long, we’d finished the red wine and opened the white. Ashely and I agreed it went really well with the fortune cookies. But that might’ve been the wine speaking since we didn’t actually know anything about pairing wine with food.

After we cleaned up and put the leftovers in the fridge, we refilled our wine glasses and sat back down on the couch.

“Okay Em, spill it. What made you finally leave Craig?” Ashley sat on the far end of the couch, and turned so she was facing me, her legs crossed Indian style.

I studied my wine to buy myself a second before lifting my head and looking into her chocolate brown eyes. “He hit me.” My voice was barely above a whisper.

“Oh Em.” She reached out for my free hand and squeezed it. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”

“I am. He got arrested; a neighbor called the police.” I pulled my hand away and cradled my wine in both hands,hoping to find some courage in my glass. “It wasn’t the first time the neighbors called the police, or the first time he hit me. But it was the first time I pressed charges.”

“I’m so sorry, I knew he was controlling, but I didn’t think he’d hit you. Is he still in jail?”

“No, he made bail. Chris is worried he might come after me for revenge.”

“Fuck. Is there somewhere safe you can go?”

“I’m staying with my mom and dad until I figure out if I want to stay in Weatherford.” I gulped my wine.How is this my life?I figured now was as good a time as any to bring up my shadow. “Do you remember Jamie Sheppard?”

“Oh yeah,” she nodded, a grin on her face, “he was so hot! What about him? You got a thing for him?” Ashley had a wicked gleam in her eyes like she was waiting on some juicy tidbit of gossip.

“What? No. Nothing like that. He and his father started a personal protection and investigation company shortly after Isabelle was killed.”

“That’s right. Didn’t he see it happen?”

“No, but he was the first officer on the scene. It almost destroyed him.” I took a deep breath and got back on topic. “Chris hired his company, and Jamie is one of the guys watching out for me in case Craig comes after me.”

“Oh really? Is he still hot? God, we had the biggest crush on him, remember that? Is he still single? Any chance you can set me up with him?”

I laughed at her rapid-fire questions.I knew she’d ask if he was single.

“You’re blushing.”Am I?She sounded like a teenager again, reminding me of junior high when we would tease each other for thinking boys were cute. “You like him!”

“It’s not like that. It’s just, I’m grateful he’s helping me, that’s all.”

She squinted her eyes at me. “You didn’t answer my question, is he still hot?”

I rolled my eyes at her persistence. “Yes, he’s still hot, more ruggedly handsome than he was in school. And he’s definitely stayed in good shape.” I thought about how strong he felt when he’d wrapped his arms around me to steady me at the apartment.

“Hmmm, sounds to me like maybe you’re more than just grateful.” She wiggled her eyebrows at me. She was only half-serious, and trying to lighten the mood, but I rushed to defend myself anyway.

“Don’t be stupid, I just got out of a nasty relationship.” I tried to brush her off. “I don’t have it in me to have feelings for anyone.”

“You have that look on your face.” I’d forgotten how well Ashley could read me.

“I don’t. Besides, he’s Chris’s best friend, so I couldn’t even if I wanted to. That, and I’m just the pesky little sister from high school, and a client, to him. He’d never go for someone like me.”

Shit, I hadn’t meant to say that out loud. I knew she’d twist my words and think I wanted him to like me, but it would never happen. Besides, I didn’t really like him in that way. I’d never deny that he was easy on the eyes, or that he was caringand sweet.But I don’t like him like that.I think of him more as the protective, big brotherly type, not the boyfriend type, right?So why am I working so hard to convince myself?

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